Carmen

A young man searching for Carmen shoots and kills her mother, a flamenco dancer, after she refuses to reveal Carmen's whereabouts. The killing forces Carmen to flee across the border to safety. This brutal act sets the pursuit of Carmen in motion.

In Texas, an unemployed Marine veteran named Aidan lives with his sister and is persuaded to join a militia border patrol. He is paired with his friend Mike for the patrols. The decision marks his entry into a high-risk, lawless pursuit.

The militia finds a truck carrying Carmen hidden with a woman, several children and two men. Mike shoots and kills the two men, then pursues Carmen. To protect the civilians, Aidan shoots Mike, and the pair escape in Mike's car.

The fugitives overpower two police officers at a motel and hail Angel, a taxi driver, to take them toward Los Angeles. Angel agrees to drive them, hoping for a quiet ride. The escape marks the start of their uneasy flight to safety.

On the way, they stop at a surreal carnival that interrupts their journey. Angel leaves them there, and they meet Pablo, who becomes part of their journey. The encounter shifts the dynamics and goals of the group.

Pablo propositions Carmen, but she rejects him, preferring Aidan. During the exchange, Aidan reveals that he understands Spanish, hinting at his deeper awareness of danger and adds a layer of trust between them. The moment deepens the bond and tension among the trio.

Pablo guides them to a club in Los Angeles owned by Masilda, a family friend who offers refuge. Masilda welcomes Carmen and Aidan and provides shelter as they regroup. The club becomes their temporary sanctuary while they plan their next move.

Aidan worries that authorities have tracked them to the club and urges leaving, but Masilda cannot provide a clean departure. He ultimately decides to stay with Carmen, determined to protect her. The tense standoff between safety and pursuit tightens around them.

Aidan calls his sister to explain the situation, confirming he is not coming home. She warns about the danger and the ongoing search by authorities. His resolve hardens as they commit to a perilous future together.

Masilda urges Carmen to perform, hoping to keep the group under the radar. As tensions mount, the fugitives are haunted by visions of Carmen's mother and a mysterious sequined figure. The club becomes a stage for dread as the past closes in.

Aidan senses that police pressure will intensify, but the group has no money to relocate. He pleads with Carmen to stay at the club for safety, but she refuses to be left behind. Their fragile plan to move forward is hampered by financial strain.

During a dance at the club, Aidan participates in an underground bare-knuckle boxing match for a large prize pot. Carmen arrives from her performance just in time to see him win. Police raid the venue, forcing the couple to improvise their escape.

The couple manages a brief escape from the raid, then share a desert fantasy sequence in which they dance together, separated from reality. The surreal moment foreshadows a possible reconciliation or a final parting.

In the aftermath, Aidan is shot during the escape and collapses as chaos unfolds around them. The film closes with Carmen walking along a quiet beach, alone, leaving their fate open to interpretation.