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The 4th Company

Name: The 4th Company
Director: Amir Galván Cervera, Mitzi Vanessa Arreola
Released: 2017
Duration: 120 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

2017

Director

Amir Galván Cervera, Mitzi Vanessa Arreola

Runtime

120 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The 4th Company provides a localized, non-Western perspective on power by highlighting Mexican corruption. It effectively counters global crime narratives through its specific historical and socioeconomic context. However, the film operates within a heavily masculine framework. The focus on prison hierarchies and athletic teams suggests a narrative driven by traditional patriarchal structures and limited gender diversity. Overall, the film's strength lies in its cultural specificity and its critique of institutional legitimacy, even though it lacks broad representation of diverse identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The 4th Company have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit stories about LGBTQ+ individuals. It emphasizes a very masculine environment focused on traditional gender roles.

How does The 4th Company portray gender?

Fair

The story centers around a male-dominated world of criminals and athletes. Women's roles are not detailed, but the administration's patriarchal power structure is clear.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The 4th Company?

Good

The film is set in a specific Mexican context and challenges Anglo-centric crime stories by focusing on local socioeconomic issues and the ability to act of non-Western characters.

How does The 4th Company represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story questions Western institutions by showing the state as corrupt. It presents a cynical view of the rule of law.

Does The 4th Company include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on Mexican socio-political history.
Effectively challenges Anglo-centric crime narratives.
Provides a meaningful critique of centralized authority and corruption.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ narratives or exploration of queer identity.
Heavy reliance on a male-dominated, traditional patriarchal power structure.
No visible representation of characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Zambrano is a young criminal with the only hope of joining the legendary prison American football team known as The Dogs of Santa Martha. His hopes end up involving him with organized crime since The Dogs, who are also known as The 4th Company, a squadron of inmates at the service of the administration that controls the jail, its vice and its privileges. Corruption and crime have no limits; they ravage the city with car thefts, bank robberies and other crimes under the auspices of the authorities, the story takes place during the López Portillo presidency and his men.

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