The Crimes That Bind 2020

In this poignant and nuanced film, Alicia, portrayed by Cecilia Roth, is blinded by her unwavering love for her 35-year-old son, Daniel, played by Benjamín Amadeo. She cannot even begin to fathom the idea that he might be guilty of serious crimes such as assault, rape, stalking, and violence against women. The story opens with Alicia hosting her affluent friends in their luxurious Buenos Aires apartment, where she lives alongside her 70-year-old retired engineer husband, Ignacio, played by Miguel Ángel Solá, their live-in maid Gladys, portrayed by Yanina Ávila, and Gladys’s 3-year-old son, Santiago, affectionately known as Santi.

Gladys has a troubled past, having lost her mother at a young age and suffering neglect and abuse from her father. She eventually escaped to Buenos Aires, where she found employment with Alicia, who embodies dignity and courtesy, in stark contrast to Gladys, who is often seen as “simple” and slow. However, as the narrative unfolds around two significant court cases, these perceptions get profoundly challenged. Daniel faces trial and is sentenced to prison for the attempted murder of his ex-wife, Marcela, played by Sofía Gala. Meanwhile, Gladys is accused of a chilling crime—suffocating her newborn in Alicia and Ignacio’s home, subsequently receiving a harsh 17-year prison sentence.

Throughout the film, Gladys’s portrayal shifts from a passive and emotionless prisoner to someone with a deeply complicated backstory. In an unexpected twist during her trial, she finally speaks out in court, apologizing to Alicia for the mistreatment she faced and expressing gratitude for Alicia’s care of Santi, asking the court to grant her custody to Alicia—a moment that is both heartbreaking and revealing.

As the trial against Daniel progresses, damning evidence continues to accumulate, leading Alicia’s wealthy social circle to abandon her. Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, she is prompted to engage a high-profile criminal defense lawyer, even as Ignacio warns her about the lawyer’s dubious ethical practices. When Alicia suggests downsizing their lifestyle to afford the lawyer, Ignacio, unable to cope, decides to leave her.

In a poignant scene, Alicia brings Santi to visit Gladys in prison, marking their first encounter since her sentencing. During this visit, the truth about Daniel unfolds—Gladys reveals that he had previously assaulted her, which resulted in her pregnancy. This baby, who died due to Gladys’s actions, was tragically Alicia’s grandchild. The weight of this revelation forces Alicia to confront the stark reality that her son is not the victim she believed him to be.

Alicia’s internal journey propels her toward acceptance of the truths surrounding her son’s violence, aided by the guidance of a psychologist and activist, played by Paola Barrientos. As she delves deeper into this revelation, Alicia becomes an ally to both of Daniel’s victims, uncovering crucial evidence needed for Marcela’s case against her ex-husband. It’s evidence derived from her financial dealings with the lawyer who momentarily secured Daniel’s release while suppressing evidence of his guilt.

In one of the film’s final powerful moments, Alicia heads to the courtroom with the psychologist and Vieytes, representing a turning point in her emotional journey. The conclusion unfolds with Alicia participating in a family gathering alongside Santi, Marcela, and her grandson, amongst a much humbler yet happier atmosphere than that which opened the film. The poignant transitions from wealth to a more grounded reality illustrate the film’s profound exploration of familial love, betrayal, and the complex dynamics of violence against women.