Luis Gerardo Méndez, who stars in Ben Affleck's Animals, says he hopes the film sparks conversations about immigration. He told Variety that audiences could be next, in a warning about speaking out.
He got emotional when asked about ICE and said he is already seeing its impact in California. In the film, his character, Ramon, is unexpectedly drawn into the kidnapping at the center of the Netflix thriller.
Méndez said he was surprised Affleck even knew who he was when his agents called. The script came with a note from Affleck saying it wasn't ready, that he would rewrite Ramon specifically around Méndez, and that he would call around Christmas to hear his thoughts.
When the rewrite arrived, Méndez said, it was as if Affleck had read his mind, including everything he felt was missing regarding representation and character dialogue. He told Blavity the aim was to show immigrant workers the respect they rarely get and to avoid the one-note characters seen a hundred million times.
He noted that Latin characters are too often portrayed as identical, regardless of whether they are Colombian or Mexican. He credited Affleck for being open to conversation.
Affleck, for his part, said Méndez and Paz are co-filmmakers who wrote their own scenes. Animals is out on Netflix and in select theaters.
Some reviews have noted that the script doesn't fully wrestle with the immigration themes it raises. The film serves as a platform for Méndez to highlight the struggles of the immigrant community in the United States.
By taking on this role, he hopes to challenge the status quo and push for better representation in Hollywood. The collaboration between Affleck and Méndez has been praised for its authenticity.
Méndez emphasized that the process was collaborative rather than top-down. He felt empowered to bring his own cultural experiences to the screen, which he believes adds a layer of depth to the character of Ramon.
As the film continues to gain traction on Netflix, the discourse surrounding its themes is expected to grow. Méndez remains optimistic that art can influence public perception and policy.
He believes that by humanizing the immigrant experience, the film can bridge gaps in understanding. Despite some criticism regarding the depth of the script's political commentary, the performances have been widely lauded.
Méndez's portrayal of a man caught in a dangerous situation while navigating his identity as an immigrant is being called a career-defining moment. Looking ahead, Méndez hopes to continue working on projects that carry social weight.
He believes that actors have a responsibility to use their platform to shed light on issues that affect marginalized communities, especially in the current political climate.