Maria Full of Grace

Seventeen-year-old Maria Alvarez works tirelessly in a harsh flower plantation environment to support her family, which includes her mother, grandmother, and sister, Diana. Maria feels resentful of her sacrifices, especially as Diana, a single mother, seems to lead a more leisurely life.

Maria learns that she is pregnant by her boyfriend, Juan. Although he proposes marriage, Maria refuses, feeling a lack of love for him and discomfort with his living situation.

At the plantation, Maria faces a relentless boss who denies her basic restroom breaks. After suffering from morning sickness and vomiting over roses, her boss punishes her by forcing her to clean up the mess and work extra hours.

Traumatized by her experience at work, Maria decides to quit her job despite her family's disapproval. This decision marks a turning point in her life as she seeks an escape from her bleak circumstances.

While attending a party hosted by her coworker Blanca, Maria meets Felipe, who introduces her to Franklin. This chance meeting drastically alters Maria’s path as Franklin offers a life-changing opportunity.

Franklin enticingly offers Maria a risky job opportunity to transport drugs as a mule. Feeling trapped in her current situation, Maria jumps at the chance, trusting Franklin to handle the paperwork for her dangerous journey.

Maria meets Javier, a ruthless mob boss overseeing the mule operation, who promises her substantial payment for the dangerous work. This introduction marks the beginning of her entanglement in the drug trafficking world.

Maria undergoes a grueling training regimen led by Lucy, another mule. She learns the invasive procedure of swallowing pellets filled with cocaine, practicing with grapes as she prepares for her first trip.

Along with Blanca, Maria swallows 62 drug pellets before their departure to the United States. Upon arrival in New York City, Maria faces intense scrutiny from customs officers over her cash and pregnancy.

Maria and the other mules are held captive in a motel until they pass the drugs. The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense as Maria realizes the traffickers will go to terrifying lengths to protect their operation.

Tragedy strikes when Lucy becomes gravely ill due to a ruptured pellet. This horrifying event highlights the extreme dangers of their situation and the desperation of those involved in drug trafficking.

Shocked and frightened, Maria convinces Blanca to escape with her when the traffickers leave to dispose of Lucy's body. Their decision to flee marks a critical moment of defiance against their captors.

Maria seeks refuge with Lucy’s sister, Carla, while hiding the grim truth about Lucy's death. Their stay brings a temporary respite, but tensions soon rise as secrets unravel.

After a reunion with Blanca, the two women agree to return the drugs to the gang in hopes of securing their finances. The decision signifies desperate measures in their fight for survival.

In a final act of compassion, Maria uses part of her earnings to send Lucy’s body back to Colombia. Ultimately, she decides to remain in the United States to carve out her new path, while Blanca returns home alone.