Tigers Are Not Afraid

Estrella is interrupted during a fairy tale writing assignment by the sound of gunfire outside her classroom. The sudden chaos creates panic among the students, highlighting the violent backdrop of the Mexican Drug War that surrounds them.

In the midst of the chaos, Estrella's teacher hands her three pieces of chalk as a means to grant her three wishes. This moment turns pivotal as it suggests a glimmer of hope amidst the violence that has disrupted her life.

Shortly after the incident in school, it’s announced that classes will be suspended indefinitely. This not only emphasizes the impact of the ongoing violence but also leaves Estrella feeling vulnerable and lost.

In the streets, an orphan named Shine steals a gun and an iPhone from Caco, a henchman for crime boss Chino. Despite his brave act, Shine is unable to pull the trigger, showcasing the complicated life of survival in a war-torn city.

As Estrella makes her way home, she tragically discovers the body of a victim lying in the street, blood leading to her family's door. Upon arriving home, she finds her mother missing, likely another victim of violence linked to Chino's human trafficking ring.

In the depths of her loneliness and despair, Estrella uses one of her wishes to bring her mother back. However, this wish leads her into a web of haunting visions of her mother's ghost, who urges her to take action.

Estrella discovers Shine rummaging through her home and follows him to his hideout. There, she meets other orphans, including Pop, Tucsi, and Morro, and despite Shine's rejection, she decides to stay with them, seeking solace.

Caco comes searching for his stolen items, resulting in a chaotic scene that culminates in Morro's kidnapping. In the ensuing turmoil, Estrella is pushed into dangerous choices as tensions rise.

Estrella sneaks into Caco's apartment with hopes of avoiding bloodshed. However, to her shock, she finds Caco already dead, allowing her to rescue Morro and sparking a new chapter in her troubled journey.

After rescuing Morro, Estrella confides in Shine about her vision from her mother. This leads to her further unraveling the dangerous past connections with Chino and the Huascas, pushing them deeper into the conflict.

Chaos erupts when Tio, Caco's brother, captures Shine. As the group tries to distract Tio with a talent show, a tragic turn results in Morro being killed, leaving a profound impact on Estrella and the remaining orphans.

Determined to uncover the significance of Shine's phone, Estrella and Shine find a recording of Chino committing murder. This discovery compels Estrella to confront Chino for a horrific revelation about her mother's fate.

Estrella makes a courageous deal with Chino to exchange the phone for the elimination of the Huascas. However, she learns that Chino was ultimately behind Caco's demise, shattering her trust and pushing her toward a rash decision.

In a tense meeting, Estrella boldly reveals her possession of Caco's phone to Chino, wishing for peace and safety for her friends. As the situation escalates, the confrontation exposes deep betrayals and leads to tragic consequences for Shine.

Estrella, filled with determination, faces Chino in a haunting room filled with the deceased, including her mother. Drawing upon her strength from the past, she lures Chino to his inevitable fate, breaking the chains of fear that bound her.