Personally, I REALLY liked this film. I liked it because not only am I from a large, Hispanic community in California, but also negates I love horror anthologies. Put those two factors together, you've got a somewhat relatable, interesting horror anthology that doesn't apologize for anything and just presents its content as is. Now, the content more specifically are three individual segments that vary from supernatural horror to realistic thriller-type horror, and each of then really feels like they understand the style of Mexican horror, in such ways as tone, visual presentation, writing, etc.

That all said, there's nothing but negative reviews on here, and I respect and understand that. Here's the thing though: don't go into this movie with preconceived notions, instead, go into this film with a blank and open mind, ahd as much interest as one can muster. As I said before, this film doesn't apologize and just presents it's content as is, and that's the most important point to understand prior to watching this film, just so that one feel the need to pre-compare, or otherwise formulate what they themselves wants the film to be better even watching it, as opposed to taking it as is, and that's the whole point I'm trying to make to you the viewer: watch this film with a blank and open mind from start to finish, and take the film all in as it is, and just as it is, then formulate your informed opinion.

I literally didn't know what I was getting into here, as I sat down in 2021 to watch the 2012 movie "Barrio Tales". I had never heard about it, but still I sat down to watch it, as it was a horror movie that I hadn't already seen.

Now, it should be said that "Barrio Tales" is a horror anthology, for better or worse. Normally I am not overly keen on anthologies, as the majority tends to be dubious ones. But still, I gave "Barrio Tales" a chance. And it was actually a rather nice surprise of an entertaining anthology.

"Barrio Tales" consists of three tales and a narrative story that binds the three stories together. I am not going to go into details about each individual segment, as I believe it is something that should be seen and experienced on the screen.

The first segment is titled "Maria" and it is actually a rather good segment, with an enjoyable storyline and an interesting approach to curses.

"Maria" is followed by the second tale titled "Uncle Tio's Taco Truck", which I actually also thoroughly enjoyed, as much as I enjoyed the first tale titled "Maria". This was definitely a tasty treat in the anthology.

That leads us to the third segment titled "El Munstro", which was the runt of the litter. This tale was just a bit too tame for me, it didn't really have much of any horror worth to it, as it was more of a redneck hillbilly family thing.

And then there is the narrative that binds the three tales together. While it wasn't really much more than a guy telling the tales, it was actually interesting, because of the atmosphere and the way that storyteller behaved. So it was a nice means of tying the stories together.

I was genuinely entertained by "Barrio Tales" and found it to be a very pleasant surprise of an anthology. It is one that I can recommend you sit down to watch, should you have the chance. Never mind the laughable cover for the movie, it was something that was sort of discouraging me from actually sitting down to watch "Barrio Tales", but I am glad that I looked past that cover.

My rating of "Barrio Tales" lands on a six out of ten stars.

I would give negative stars if possible. Worse than most student films! I'm not trying to be funny or mean here. Like many "ethnic minority" horror anthologies, it's outright racist. Pitting (insert ethnic group) against Whitey. It's predictable, lazy, lacking in any creativity, and totally takes advantage of political correctness & white guilt.

Anyway, aside from being filled with racist venom, the first scene has the rich "white brat" dressed in red white and blue(complete with references to a "Reconquista"). But the acting is really just that bad! And the "plot" is beyond corny, and just unoriginal. I really can't put any other way. It's just that bad. Really, really bad. SPOILERS! For example, in Maria. A maid dies after the rich gringo's kids play a mean and(of coarse)racist prank. Then just cuts to her Grandma, a witch, opening her ojos and punishing those involved. Oooohh! Of coarse, the gringos lone Latino friend is the only "good one". Then there's Tios Tacos. Now take a wild guess at what that one was about. Hint: the tacos main ingredient. Spooookky! Then the last story is about a Mexican-American that helps illegal immigrants, which he refers to as "his People", cross into the U.S. And again, take a wild guess... yep Evil "White Trash" pose as construction contractors and pick them up, and, just think U-Turn. But the righteous gangster brother of this "guide" helps take revenge on those inbred huedos! Complete with rants on how "brown is the new RW&B!" Etc, etc, etc...I mean it's not even "so bad it's good" It's just plain bad! It's not only the rich kids who are evil oppressors, but even the poor "white trash" have nothing better to do than pick on the poor illegal immigrants. Ya know, because protecting Labor Unions, the minimum wage, equal pay for African(or other) Americans that maybe unable afford college, child labor laws, and border security are not legitimate issues. But racist Hispanic bashing. As is preventing labor surpluses or overpopulation. God forbid one points out the fact that the Mexican government, for example, has the means to take care of "It's People" but instead embezzles the money from nationalized oil. Among other corrupt activities. Nope! It's all on whitey!