The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)

In the sun-drenched heart of Los Reyes, Mexico, 24-year-old Father Amaro, freshly ordained, steps into the fading shoes of Father Benito, a revered fixture of the church and the community. Guided by the Bishop's decree, the young priest is thrust into a world of hushed whispers and sacred secrets, where faith and corruption dance an age-old tango. With the dust of the journey still clinging to his robes, Father Amaro is ensnared by the fervent devotion of Amelia, a striking 16-year-old girl. Her spiritual ardor swiftly spirals into a forbidden attraction for the new priest, echoing the clandestine affair of her mother, Sanjuanera, with Father Benito. Beneath the veneer of sanctity in Los Reyes, passion and transgression burn with equal fervor. The lines of morality blur further as Father Amaro uncovers a sinister pact between Father Benito and the region's notorious drug lord, exchanging divine blessings for funds to construct a new health clinic. Meanwhile, Father Natalio, another man of the cloth, is rumored to be aiding guerilla troops in the highlands, painting a broader canvas of corruption within the church's hallowed walls. As Amelia and Father Amaro surrender to their illicit love, igniting a tempestuous romance, the fabric of the community begins to fray. Father Amaro finds himself caught in a maelish whirl between the divine and the carnal, the righteous and the unjust. With the pillars of his faith cracking under the weight of scandal, Father Amaro must summon the courage to decide which path he will tread. Will he follow the righteous path of his divine calling, or succumb to the seduction of earthly desires? Set against the vividly painted backdrop of Mexico in 2002, this tale of passion, corruption, and faith based on a story from the 1800s, offers a riveting exploration of the human spirit's capacity for both sanctity and transgression. As life grows increasingly complex for the young Father Amaro, viewers are invited to step into his shoes and experience his tumultuous journey firsthand.

The Crime of Padre Amaro is a drama movie featuring Gael García Bernal.

The Crime of Padre Amaro is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VIX and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, DIRECTV, Hoopla and Pantaya.

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