La Cocina (15)

(Part Subtitled)

A bustling New York kitchen becomes a microcosm of American capitalism in Alonso Ruizpalacios’ gripping adaptation of Arnold Wesker's 1957 play The Kitchen.

Set in a high-stakes midtown Manhattan restaurant, the film follows the chaotic lives of immigrant workers behind the scenes. At the heart of the turmoil are Pedro (Raul Briones) and Julia (Rooney Mara), whose strained relationship intensifies as they navigate personal and professional crises. Pedro, hoping to secure a visa, and Julia, grappling with the emotional fallout of an abortion decision, clash in the midst of a kitchen already on the brink of implosion. The tensions escalate further when $800 goes missing from the till, pushing the environment into chaos.

Filmed through a stunning black and white lens, La Cocina showcases Ruizpalacios’ technical brilliance, capturing the raw, high-pressure world of the line cook. The frenetic energy of their working conditions mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil, blending social critique with personal conflict. Offering up a fresh perspective on the immigrant experience and the broken promises of the American Dream, it’s a thrilling and insightful exploration of survival, ambition and frustration.