Behind the scenes of Netflix's 'Las Muertas' unveiled by one of Mexico's foremost literary figures
In the heart of Mexico, a chilling true crime story unfolds in the newly released six-episode series, "Las Muertas," produced by Netflix as part of a $1 billion pledge to produce Mexican content. The series, directed by Mexican filmmaker Luis Estrada, is based on Jorge Ibarguengoitia's 1977 true crime novel of the same name.
At the core of the saga are four sisters - Delfina, María de Jesús, Luisa, and Rosa - who ran a crime ring from 1945 to 1964. Known as "Las Poquianchis," these sisters operated a chain of brothels in Guanajuato and Jalisco, luring young girls with false promises of work, only to subject them to violence, sexual abuse, and relentless control.
The series delves into the horrific conditions the victims experienced, including starvation, beatings, and, tragically, the murder of babies born from encounters between victims and clients. Investigations uncovered dozens of bodies, including those of young women and children, buried at the sisters' properties.
Authorities intervened after an escapee reported her ordeal, leading to the sisters' arrest in 1964. Delfina and María de Jesús received 40-year prison sentences. Luisa was sentenced to 27 years.
Jorge Ibargüengoitia, the author of the novel "Las Muertas," was one of Mexico's most influential novelists and is still one of its most celebrated. Born in 1928 in Guanajuato and raised mostly in Mexico City, Ibargüengoitia started as a playwright and journalist, but his nonfiction, especially his account of the infamous Poquianchis case, cemented his legacy. Sadly, Ibargüengoitia died in a plane crash near Madrid in 1983.
"Las Muertas" is a gripping portrayal of this dark chapter in Mexican history, filmed and produced in Mexico, with shooting locations including San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Veracruz, and Mexico City's Churubusco Studios.
For those interested in previewing the series, a trailer is available online. Other anticipated Netflix projects include "México 86," a series about how Mexico came to host the 1986 World Cup, starring Diego Luna.
Luis Estrada, the director of "Las Muertas," is known for his dark comedy "El Infierno" and "La Ley de Herodes," both of which are available on Netflix. "Las Muertas" is one of 10 new Mexico-centric projects announced last year.
Each episode of "Las Muertas" is just over an hour long and has English subtitles. All six episodes dropped on Sept. 10.
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