Beginning in 1981, El Salvador was wracked by civil war. Refugees from the war flooded into America. One of the byproducts was the formation of gangs, especially in Los Angeles, that evolved into rings engaging in human trafficking. This motionpicture is a human story of this tragedy.

95% of the film was shot in El Salvador. The film portrays the kidnapping of a young American woman who has been living temporarily in El Salvador. The girl's mother, who grew up in El Salvador, will stop at nothing in the attempt to rescue her. Hence, the title of "Relentless."

The mother, Holly Drew, finds assistance from a gun-runner and soldier of fortune named Fernando. "Fern" was an orphan of the civil war himself, and he uses his connections with the underworld to follow the tracks of the captive daughter. Along with Fern, Holly travels through Guatemala City and then to Tenosique, Mexico, where the daughter is being transported along with other young women. Their final destination is the United States, where the women will be sold into bondage.

The most gruesome part of the story occurs on the so-called "Train of Death," which transports 500,000 illegal immigrants annually. It is on the train that the fates of Holly Drew and her daughter Ally will be decided. Unless they connect and the mother rescues her, it is clear that the daughter will vanish forever.

This video-on-demand was well-crafted with good performances. It was especially graphic in the portrayal of human trafficking and is a story that must be told. It was not merely an action film, but a quasi-documentary on an important subject.

My title says what I felt about this little known gem of a film. A few dollars means the difference between life and death. There is little difference between the methods of the corrupt cops, and the honest ones. They are equally brutal. The people try to leave that land by the trainload, to come to the USA, where life is better. Seen on Tubi, the free streaming site, which now has live TV.

This is a sleeper of a movie. With heros that have to apparent motive other than something to break the boredom. Real scumbag bad guys who all get it in the end. Keeps you on your seat edge most of the time. Some "Why did they do that", but for the most part easy to follow. A good watch all in all.