Mexicali Movie Recap And Ending Explained: Do Joe And Estrella Stay Alive?

What is the cost of a peaceful life with your family? If it requires you to be violent or return to those days of your life you hate, will you do it? Director Luke Lafontaine’s “Mexicali” tells the story of a former fighter who tries to settle down with his partner, but violence never leaves him behind. Apart from themes like redemption and violence, the film explores the idea of protecting your dignity in front of the power-hungry.

Spoilers Ahead

What happens in the movie?

“Mexicali” kicks off with Joe, a former US mercenary, struggling to accumulate funds for his girlfriend Estrella’s avocado farm. As he falls short, Joe chooses to fight in a local fight club to earn money. After making his cut by winning all the matchups, Joe goes back to the avocado farmhouse, where he reconciles with Estrella. She does not look happy after spotting the wounds on Joe’s face, and expresses her concern about his health. Estrella also issues a strong warning for Joe, telling him that marriage will never be possible unless he quits fighting for life. When Joe drives to the local market for supplies, his friend, Marco, accompanies him. Marco comes to know that Joe is ineligible to enter the US following some botched mission he was on. After buying supplies from Maria, a trader, when Marco leaves, he spots some men approaching the woman for money. He urges Joe not to meddle, but the thugs still threaten him and Joe before shooting down Maria. Although they drive away, the thugs follow them, and Joe crashes the truck. As the thugs pull Marco out, Joe shoots the thugs down and buries their dead bodies. In the car, Marco promises Joe that he will stay between them, but as Joe drives home after dropping his friend off, trouble follows him home. On the farm, he comes across Baptiste, a mob boss who works for cartel leader (El General) Mr. Chavez. Baptiste, along with his bodyguard, Ruthie, inquires about the missing thugs, but Joe stays tight-lipped. Once they are done questioning him, Joe comes home to Estrella and admits that he is in trouble. However, Baptiste and Ruthie don’t give up.

Why is Baptiste trying to kill Joe?

Baptiste was more of a businessman than a cold-blooded killer. When he saw the lush green farm, he wanted to own those extensive lands, and did a little research on the owners’ identity. Baptiste found out that Estrella’s father was an honorable soldier who gave his life while fighting against the cartel. As a former boxer, Baptiste could recognize the fighting spirit inside Joe and, hence, did a little bit of digging. Baptiste found out about his mercenary background and immediately understood that something was fishy about Joe. Even if Joe did not admit to killing the thugs, Baptiste tipped off the Federale (the police) and learned about everything. After Joe goes back to Estrella, they try to pack their bags, but Baptiste catches them off guard, since he has already sensed that Joe may be running for the door. But Baptiste fails to get any answer from Joe’s mouth, despite offering to buy their produce and threatening them afterwards. Baptiste tries every possible move he has in his pocket, but ultimately, he and Ruthie walk out of Joe’s house empty-handed. However, he does not spare them completely, and keeps a track of their whereabouts. Baptiste plans to do everything he can in order to keep Mr. Chavez happy.

Who Killed Marco?

Before Baptiste had arrived at their house, Joe and Estrella were packing up to leave. Joe was very worried about Marco and tried to inform him about the impending doom, but Marco did not pick up his call. This happened several times, even after Baptiste left. At that point, Joe did not know about Marco’s death, but he was sure that something was wrong. That’s why he takes Estrella right away and drives to pick Marco up. Just before they get to his place, he tells Estrella to stay in the car, because he senses the danger ahead of him. When he arrives at Marco’s house, he notices a thug coming out with blood on his shirt. Joe kills him right on the spot. When he goes inside, Joe receives the shock of his life, seeing Marco’s dead body lying in the bathtub. 

Marco knew from the beginning that the cartel had set their sights on him and Joe. He was very scared and tried his best to stay out of the spotlight for days. I felt that, somewhere, Marco even felt that it was not going to end well, especially after they left three bodies in the ground. Needless to say, when Baptiste and Ruthie came to check on Joe and Estrella, El General’s thugs ambushed Marco in his hideout and slaughtered him. Joe understood who the killers were, but he was too overwhelmed by his emotions after seeing Marco’s lifeless body. Losing a mercenary on a mission is definitely an unfortunate and sad outcome, and I was sure that, throughout his life, Joe might have lost a few. But losing his only friend hurt Joe like hell, and he vowed to kill every one of the monsters who slaughtered his friend.

Do Joe and Estrella stay alive?

After learning about Marco’s tragic fate, Joe understands that it is no longer safe for Estrella since those men can barge in anytime. Somewhere deep down, Joe knows that trouble will follow him, and he tells Estrella to go away. In the meantime, Baptiste, Ruthie, and the thugs spot Joe, and he tries fighting them off. He knocks down Ruthie and makes a run for it, but the thugs still manage to wound him with bullets. Estrella drives him to a hideout to nurse him, and three days later, Joe finally wakes up. He knows that this hideout is just not enough since Joe is dealing with powerful men. That’s why he decided to train Estrella as much as he can. Estrella doesn’t like to fight, but they are short of cash, and Baptiste has taken over the farm. When Joe participates in a fight with a mask on, he gives off classic Zorro vibes, coupled with the fast moves. Later, when Baptiste kidnaps Estrella, he rushes out of the fight because he loves her more than anything in this world. His ruthless aggression after losing Estrella is showcased by how he ambushes a whole camp and kills Baptiste’s men. Just when he tries to rescue Estrella, El General and his men arrive. Surprisingly, Baptiste kills Ruthie, joining Joe’s side, and together, Baptiste, Joe, and Estrella kill off the thugs. 

Baptiste joined Joe’s side because he was never much into killing. He was always after the farm, but, apart from his nature, Baptiste was moved after he saw how happy Joe and Estrella looked together in the end. Joe thought that he was helping Baptiste by killing Mr. Chavez because Baptiste wanted to lead the criminal empire, but in reality, he just wanted to live in peace. Joe went to Rambo just to protect Estrella because he knew she was the key to his peace. Years of violence had changed him a lot, and Joe only felt relaxed whenever Estrella was with him. Estrella always avoided violence of all sorts, but reality forced her hand. Considering how she utilized Joe’s training and shot the thugs down in the end, it must have been cathartic for her. Despite their differences, “Mexicali” showed how Estrella and Joe defended their home, identity, and pride, proving how their love stood strong against violence. The film also shows how Baptiste and Joe redeemed themselves in the end, starting a fresh life after years of darkness.

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