Kill the Jockey (2024) Movie Review

Bottom Line: Kill the Jockey is a surreal neo-noir psychological drama that defies conventional storytelling with its bold exploration of identity transformation, offering an unforgettable cinematic experience that won’t appeal to all audiences but rewards those open to its artistic audacity.

A Wild Ride Through Identity and Transformation

Argentine director Luis Ortega returns with his most ambitious and enigmatic work yet in Kill the Jockey, a film that gallops far beyond traditional genre boundaries. This 2024 surrealist neo-noir psychological drama premiered at the prestigious 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for both the Golden Lion and the Queer Lion awards. While the film has been selected as Argentina’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, its true victory lies in challenging audiences to reconsider everything they think they know about identity, gender, and the nature of self.

Synopsis: More Than Meets the Eye

At its surface, Kill the Jockey tells the story of Remo Manfredini, a once-renowned jockey whose life has spiraled into a dangerous cocktail of addiction, debt, and reckless behavior. Perpetually inebriated and hopped up on horse drugs, Remo seems to have a death wish while owing money to a minor mafioso. His girlfriend Abril, also a jockey, is pregnant but finds herself more invested in their seductive equestrian underworld than their mundane domestic existence.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Remo’s only hope for salvation—riding Mishima, a thoroughbred specially imported from Japan—ends in disaster. When Mishima leaps over the fence during a crucial race, Remo winds up in the hospital with a life-threatening concussion. What follows is a metamorphosis that defies logic and embraces the surreal, as Remo discovers new identities while evading the mob’s pursuit.

Stellar Performances Anchor Surreal Storytelling

Nahuel Pérez Biscayart: A Masterclass in Transformation

Nahuel Pérez Biscayart delivers what can only be described as a tour-de-force performance as Remo/Dolores. The 38-year-old Argentine actor, best known internationally for his César Award-winning role in BPM (Beats per Minute) (2017), brings remarkable depth to this complex character study. Pérez Biscayart’s wiry physicality and comically haunted, faintly spacy air anchors the film’s more nebulous ideas, bringing pathos to the mad-libs randomness of Ortega’s storytelling.

Born in Buenos Aires to parents of Basque, Italian, and Spanish-Andalusian descent, Pérez Biscayart has established himself as one of cinema’s most versatile performers. His ability to seamlessly transition between languages—he’s fluent in Spanish, French, English, and German—mirrors his character’s fluid transformation in Kill the Jockey. There’s something of Buster Keaton to the actor’s doleful, offhand body language that, coupled with his escalatingly lurid makeup and ludicrously domed head bandage, suggests a skeleton slightly separated from its soul.

Úrsula Corberó: From Tokyo to the Track

Úrsula Corberó brings her magnetic screen presence to the role of Abril, demonstrating once again why she’s become one of Spain’s most sought-after actresses. Best known internationally as Tokyo in Netflix’s phenomenon Money Heist (2017-2021), Corberó has proven her versatility across genres, from teen dramas to action blockbusters. Born in Barcelona in 1989, she knew from age six that acting was her calling, and her dedication shows in every frame of Kill the Jockey.

In this latest role, Corberó portrays a jockey caught between motherhood and her passion for racing, while navigating a complex relationship dynamic. Her character Abril finds herself in a steamy affair with another racing mate, adding layers of complexity to an already intricate narrative. Corberó’s performance captures the internal struggle of a woman torn between competing desires and loyalties.

Visual Poetry and Cinematic Craftsmanship

Luis Ortega’s Distinctive Direction

Director Luis Ortega, known for his previous work on El Ángel, crafts a visual feast that’s equal parts disturbing and beautiful. Working with cinematographer Timo Salminen and his signature high-contrast lighting, Ortega treats his characters in literally painterly fashion, as if constantly sitting for a portrait while settling on an outward image. The film’s aesthetic draws comparisons to auteurs like Pedro Almodóvar, Wes Anderson, and David Lynch, creating something uniquely Argentine yet universally compelling.

Production Design and Costume Excellence

Beatriz Di Benedetto’s superb costume design assists Remo’s ongoing transformation, switching between exaggerated sporty silhouettes and thrift-store dishevelment. Every visual element serves the narrative’s exploration of identity fluidity, from makeup choices to set design. The film’s 97-minute runtime allows each visual metaphor to breathe while maintaining narrative momentum.

Themes That Challenge and Provoke

Identity as Performance

Kill the Jockey operates on multiple levels as both crime thriller and philosophical meditation. The film explores the clash between inner and outer worlds, suggesting that the more intense a character’s inner world, the more violent the clash with reality becomes. As a surrealist neo-noir psychological drama, it delves into the tumultuous life of its protagonist with remarkable audacity.

Gender and Self-Discovery

If Kill the Jockey is intended as a trans allegory, it’s a vague one, though it does playfully reflect on the multitude of selves that can be housed in one body, either in turn or at once, by natural evolution or by specific design. The film doesn’t provide easy answers but invites viewers to contemplate the nature of identity itself.

The Metaphor of the Jockey

To be a jockey is to be both athlete and adjunct—while the horse gets the glory, its human partner is a literal hanger-on, ostensibly in control but subject to animal impulses. This metaphor extends throughout the film, examining themes of control, agency, and the relationship between rider and ridden in various contexts.

Critical Reception and Festival Success

International Recognition

Kill the Jockey has garnered significant critical acclaim, earning an impressive 88% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 7.5/10. The film’s festival circuit success includes screenings at prestigious events like the Toronto International Film Festival and the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

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Industry Impact

The film represents a significant achievement for Argentine cinema, demonstrating how local stories can resonate internationally when told with vision and authenticity. Selected as Argentina’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, though not ultimately nominated, the film has sparked important conversations about representation and artistic expression.

Production Notes and Release Strategy

International Distribution

Latin American distribution rights were acquired by Star Distribution in August 2024, with the film debuting theatrically in Argentina on September 26, 2024, followed by streaming release in Latin America on Disney+. The strategic rollout continues with planned theatrical releases in Spain (May 30, 2025) and the United States (July 2, 2025).

Behind the Scenes

The film represents a collaboration between multiple countries, with Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, and the USA as co-production partners. This international approach reflects the universal themes explored in Ortega’s narrative while maintaining its distinctly South American sensibility.

Content Considerations for Audiences

What to Expect

Key content elements include: • Substance abuse themes and depictions of addiction • Violence and crime elements typical of neo-noir genre • Complex gender identity exploration • Surreal and potentially confusing narrative structure • Strong language and mature themes • Intense racing sequences and accident scenes

Audience Recommendations

Perfect for viewers who enjoy: • Art house cinema and experimental storytelling • Films that challenge conventional narrative structure • International cinema with unique cultural perspectives • Character studies exploring identity and transformation • Visually striking cinematography and production design

May not appeal to those seeking: • Traditional linear storytelling • Clear resolution and easy answers • Conventional crime or sports drama • Light entertainment without philosophical depth

Technical Excellence in Every Frame

Cinematography and Visual Style

The film’s visual language speaks volumes about its thematic concerns. Every shot feels deliberately composed, creating a dreamlike quality that supports the narrative’s exploration of fluid reality. The use of color, lighting, and composition creates an almost hypnotic viewing experience that stays with audiences long after the credits roll.

Sound Design and Music

The film’s audio landscape complements its visual poetry, creating an immersive experience that draws viewers into Remo’s increasingly disoriented world. The sound design particularly shines during racing sequences and transformation scenes, using audio to blur the lines between reality and perception.

Cultural Context and Global Relevance

Argentine Cinema’s Evolution

Kill the Jockey represents the continued evolution of Argentine cinema on the world stage. Following in the tradition of directors like Lucrecia Martel and Pablo Larraín, Ortega demonstrates how South American filmmakers are pushing artistic boundaries while addressing universal themes.

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Contemporary Relevance

The film’s exploration of identity fluidity and transformation resonates particularly strongly in contemporary cultural conversations about gender, authenticity, and self-expression. While avoiding didactic messaging, Kill the Jockey offers a unique lens through which to examine these complex topics.

Why This Film Matters Now (Kill the Jockey)

Artistic Courage in Commercial Cinema

In an era of franchise filmmaking and safe storytelling choices, Kill the Jockey stands as a testament to artistic courage. Ortega’s willingness to challenge audiences while maintaining compelling characters and stunning visuals demonstrates that experimental cinema can still find its audience.

Platform for Emerging Voices

The film’s success provides a platform for emerging voices in Latin American cinema while showcasing the incredible talent of established performers like Pérez Biscayart and Corberó. For short-form content exploring behind-the-scenes filmmaking processes and actor interviews, C.A.A.M (https://youtube.com/@c.a.a.m-w5b?feature=shared) offers engaging insights into the creative process.

Final Verdict (Kill the Jockey)

Strengths That Shine

• Outstanding lead performances that anchor surreal storytelling • Visually stunning cinematography that creates lasting impressions
• Bold thematic exploration of identity and transformation • Unique directorial vision that sets it apart from conventional cinema • International appeal despite distinctly Argentine sensibilities

Areas for Consideration

• Non-linear narrative may frustrate viewers seeking traditional structure • Surreal elements could alienate audiences preferring realistic storytelling • Complex themes require active engagement rather than passive viewing • Limited mainstream appeal due to art house sensibilities

Bottom Line Assessment (Kill the Jockey)

Kill the Jockey succeeds brilliantly as an artistic statement while challenging viewers to expand their cinematic horizons. Restlessly switching lanes from frenzied farce to pulpy gangster movie to gender-confusion musing, Ortega’s alternately dark and daffy eighth feature is suitably untethered for a story concerned with the malleability of the self.

This is cinema that demands to be experienced rather than simply watched, offering rewards for those willing to embrace its unconventional approach. While it may not satisfy every viewer’s preferences, Kill the Jockey stands as essential viewing for anyone interested in the current state of international cinema and the possibilities of visual storytelling.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

Kill the Jockey gallops confidently toward artistic achievement, carrying viewers on a journey that’s as challenging as it is rewarding. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by predictable narratives, Ortega’s latest work reminds us why bold, uncompromising filmmaking remains essential to the medium’s continued evolution.

TL;DR: Kill the Jockey is a visually stunning, thematically rich exploration of identity transformation that showcases exceptional performances from Nahuel Pérez Biscayart and Úrsula Corberó. While its surreal approach may not appeal to all viewers, those open to experimental storytelling will find a rewarding cinematic experience that lingers long after viewing.