The Chosen Ones (2015)
A devastating Mexican drama about love, coercion, and survival inside the brutal world of juvenile sex trafficking.
The Chosen Ones - Movie Information
- Original Title: Las elegidas
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: David Pablos
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 22, 2016 (Mexico)
- Alternative Titles: The Chosen Ones (US)
- Production Companies: Krafty Films, Manny Films, Televisa, Canana
- Production Countries: France, Mexico
The Chosen Ones - Plot
Sofia, 14 years old, is in love with Ulises. Because of him, in spite of him, she is forced into a prostitution network in Mexico. To set her free, Ulises will have to find another girl to replace her. Adapted from Jorge Volpi's novel, set in the world of juvenile prostitution.
The Chosen Ones - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this unflinching portrait of exploitation and survival:
You will not believe in love again
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The Chosen Ones - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Pablos
Main Cast
- Nancy Talamantes
- Óscar Torres
- José Santillán Cabuto
- Raquel Presa
- Alicia Quiñonez
- Leidi Gutiérrez
- Edward Coward
Writers
- David Pablos
Producers
- Pablo Cruz
The Chosen Ones - FAQs
Is The Chosen Ones based on a true story?
The Chosen Ones is not based on a single true story, but it is adapted from Jorge Volpi's novel and grounded in the very real crisis of juvenile sex trafficking in Mexico. Director David Pablos conducted extensive research to ensure the film authentically reflects the experiences of victims caught in these networks.
What is The Chosen Ones about?
The Chosen Ones follows Sofia, a 14-year-old girl who falls in love with Ulises, only to be coerced into a sex trafficking network in Mexico. To free her, Ulises must recruit another girl as her replacement. The film is a searing portrait of exploitation, complicity, and survival adapted from Jorge Volpi's novel.
Who directed The Chosen Ones?
The Chosen Ones was directed by David Pablos, a Mexican filmmaker who also wrote the screenplay. The film marked a significant entry in his career, earning international attention for its unflinching portrayal of juvenile prostitution and sex trafficking in contemporary Mexico.
How does The Chosen Ones portray its young characters?
Rather than reducing its characters to victims or villains, the film traces how ordinary teenage love becomes entangled with coercion and complicity. Both Sofia and Ulises are rendered with psychological complexity, showing how poverty and manipulation trap young people in cycles of exploitation they struggle to escape or even fully comprehend.
Who are the main actors in The Chosen Ones?
The Chosen Ones stars Nancy Talamantes and Óscar Torres in the lead roles, supported by José Santillán Cabuto, Raquel Presa, Alicia Quiñonez, Leidi Gutiérrez, and Edward Coward. The largely non-professional cast brings a raw authenticity to this difficult and emotionally demanding story.
What is the ending of The Chosen Ones explained?
The film's ending resists easy resolution, leaving Sofia and Ulises trapped within the same cycle of exploitation. Rather than offering rescue or redemption, it underscores the systemic nature of trafficking — where individual love is powerless against structural violence, and escape remains elusive for those ensnared in these networks.
When was The Chosen Ones released?
The Chosen Ones was released on April 22, 2016, in Mexico. The film had its international festival circuit run in 2015 before reaching wider audiences. It was produced by a Franco-Mexican collaboration involving Krafty Films, Manny Films, Televisa, and Canana.
What are similar films to The Chosen Ones?
Viewers drawn to The Chosen Ones may also appreciate Vivre Sa Vie (1962), My Own Private Idaho (1991), Monster (2003), Madame Claude (2021), and Mustang (2015). These films similarly explore themes of exploitation, identity, and survival, often through the lens of young or marginalized women navigating oppressive systems.
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