La Cocina (2024)
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Date Reviewed: 14/05/2025
La Cocina (2024), directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, is a visually arresting, high-intensity drama set during a single, chaotic lunch shift inside a bustling New York City restaurant kitchen. At its emotional core are Pedro (Raul Briones), an undocumented Mexican line cook, and Julia (Rooney Mara), a pregnant American waitress. Their strained, complex relationship unfolds amid the nonstop chaos of kitchen work, highlighting deeper themes of immigration, class, labour, and the fragility of human connection.
The film’s setting is both literal and symbolic, a confined space where physical heat and emotional tension simmer. Ruizpalacios employs dynamic cinematography, fluid long takes, and stark lighting contrasts to create a relentless sense of pressure. The result is a film that’s as kinetic as it is intimate. The kitchen is alive with noise, motion, and emotional volatility, serving as a crucible for the characters’ unravelling lives.
Briones delivers a quietly powerful performance as Pedro, a man who suppresses fear, grief, and frustration beneath a stoic surface. His recent breakup with Julia, who has undergone an abortion, adds unspoken layers of guilt, sadness, and resentment to their interactions. The film treats the abortion storyline with nuance and empathy, reflecting the emotional complexity and lasting impact of such a decision. Julia, played by Mara with restraint and vulnerability, is less developed narratively but still leaves a haunting impression. Her character symbolises the often-unseen burden of women’s choices and the isolation that can follow.
Ruizpalacios’ direction is masterful. The camera glides through the kitchen in uninterrupted takes, emphasising the ceaseless movement and intensity of the space. Sound design plays a crucial role; the sizzle of pans, clatter of plates, and shouted orders form a percussive backdrop that mirrors the characters’ internal chaos. Together, these elements generate a sensory overload that immerses the viewer fully in the world of the restaurant.
Thematically, the film touches on more than just personal relationships. Subtle class tensions emerge between immigrant workers and privileged American staff. Pedro’s experience reflects the precariousness of life for undocumented labourers, who often remain invisible despite holding up entire industries. These social undercurrents are woven into the story without heavy exposition, allowing the viewer to absorb the critique organically.
While the film's intensity is one of its strengths, it occasionally becomes overwhelming. The frenetic pacing and density of visual and auditory information can make it difficult to emotionally connect with the characters in certain moments. Additionally, Julia’s arc feels underexplored compared to Pedro’s, limiting the depth of her emotional presence.
Final Verdict
La Cocina is a bold, immersive exploration of labour, love, and loss, anchored by strong performances and technical brilliance. Ideal for fans of indie and arthouse cinema, it will resonate with viewers who appreciate sensory storytelling, character-driven drama, and films that leave space for reflection. Lovers of kitchen-set stories, immigrant narratives, and slow-burning emotional tension will find this film particularly compelling. A gripping cinematic experience that lingers well after the screen goes dark.
Written By: Adrianna Janice