The film unfolds through a nonlinear narrative, weaving together the life of Ulises, a 17-year-old gang leader of Los Terkos in Monterrey, with his experiences in the United States. Here’s a more structured look at the plot:
In 2011, Ulises finds camaraderie among his gang, who embrace the vibrant Kolombia counter-culture—characterized by Cumbia rebajada, a slowed-down version of Cumbia. The gang’s signature style includes bright, baggy attire and outrageous hairstyles, as they revel in colorful dance parties.
A routine money collection from students takes a turn when Ulises and his crew encounter members of a rival gang, Los F, who attempt to intimidate them. The situation escalates when a member of Los F is apprehended by the police, and one of the Terkos snatches a hand radio from the criminal. In a moment of mischief, the gang uses the radio to prank Los F, only to be threatened by armed gang members who warn Ulises and his friend Jeremy to abandon their carefree lifestyle or face dire consequences.
A shocking drive-by shooting of Los Pelones, another gang, exposes Ulises to the grave dangers surrounding him. A survivor, misinterpreting Ulises's possession of the stolen radio, declares him a traitor and demands his swift departure, or else his family will be in grave danger. Fleeing the turmoil, Ulises's mother arranges for his illegal smuggling into the U.S., strongly advising him to steer clear of crime. In a heartfelt goodbye, his gang member Chaparra gifts him the much-coveted MP3 player.
Upon arriving in Queens, Ulises finds himself at odds with a group of day laborers due to language barriers and cultural differences. This friction culminates in a fight at a party, prompting him to take up a cleaning job at a store owned by Mr. Loh, a generous Chinese man. His grandniece, Lin, takes an interest in Ulises and befriends him despite his troubled past. She provides him with a dictionary to help him with his English and a place to stay in a shabby rooftop shed.
In his quest for easy money, Ulises attempts to dance in public spaces but is met with police scrutiny. One night, he goes to a party with Lin, but after feeling overwhelmed and nostalgic, he leaves alone. A call home reveals his mother’s fears of Los F, closing the door on his return. Seeking solace, he converses with a Colombian sex worker at a local bar, yet is ultimately told they cannot meet again. Feeling lost, Ulises turns to paint thinner, indulging in intoxication and impulsively cutting his hair.
As fate would have it, his situation worsens when he is caught by the police while homeless and subsequently deported back to Mexico after a stint in prison. Back in Monterrey, he discovers the grim reality: Los F has usurped control over the area, and many former Terkos are now aligned with the criminal group. After attending a funeral of a former comrade, Ulises encounters Jeremy, who has found his faith and preaches to the youth in the slums. Despite an invitation to stay with him, Ulises chooses the solitude of the streets.
In a poignant moment of reflection, he dances once more, letting the melodies from his MP3 guide his movements until its battery finally dies. He then witnesses a surge of local residents rushing to hide from law enforcement, cleverly diverting attention to allow Los F members to escape arrest, encapsulating the desperate reality of his environment.
