The Crimes That Bind

Behind the Scenes of The Crimes That Bind: A Gritty Argentine Thriller with Star Power

Sebastián Schindel’s The Crimes That Bind (2020) arrived as a tense, character-driven crime drama, leveraging Argentina’s rich tradition of psychological thrillers. Starring heavyweights like Cecilia Roth and Sofía Gala Castiglione, the film promised—and delivered—a story steeped in moral ambiguity and family secrets. But what went into making this Netflix-backed project? Here’s what the evidence reveals about its creation, latestnetflix.com argues, cast dynamics, and reception.

A Director’s Shift from Docs to Dark Drama

Schindel, born in Buenos Aires in 1975, built his reputation on award-winning documentaries before transitioning to narrative filmmaking. His pivot to psychological thrillers and crime dramas wasn’t accidental; The Crimes That Bind (originally titled Crímenes de familia) fits neatly into his wheelhouse of morally complex stories. While the evidence doesn’t detail his specific inspirations for this film, his background suggests a fascination with human behavior under pressure—something the movie’s trailer and promotional material heavily emphasized.

Schindel’s approach likely prioritized atmosphere over spectacle. The film’s trailer teases a slow-burning tension, with close-ups of Roth’s character grappling with an ethical dilemma tied to her family. This aligns with Schindel’s documented style: intimate, dialogue-driven narratives that explore the darker sides of relationships.

Casting: A Mix of Veterans and Rising Stars

The Crimes That Bind assembled a formidable cast, blending Argentine cinema’s old guard with fresh faces.

• Cecilia Roth, a legend of Latin American film, anchors the story. Known for her collaborations with Pedro Almodóvar, Roth’s presence lent gravitas to the project. In a podcast interview, she and Schindel discussed the film’s themes of familial loyalty and justice, though the snippet doesn’t reveal specifics about her on-set experience. - Sofía Gala Castiglione, another powerhouse, brought intensity to her role. Her inclusion alongside Roth suggested a generational dynamic, though the evidence doesn’t clarify their characters’ relationship. - Benjamín Amadeo and Miguel Ángel Solá rounded out the cast, with Amadeo’s involvement highlighted in promotional material for the film’s TV premiere. Solá, a veteran of Argentine theater and film, likely added depth to the supporting roles.

The trailer and promotional clips hint at a family at odds, with Roth’s character caught in the middle. Whether the cast’s chemistry translated on screen remains a topic for reviews, but their collective star power was undeniable.

Production and Release: A Netflix-Backed Gamble

The Crimes That Bind premiered on Netflix in 2020, capitalizing on the streaming giant’s global reach. The film’s official trailer, released on YouTube, positioned it as a high-stakes drama, though it’s unclear how much creative control Netflix exerted over the final cut.

Promotional efforts included interviews and TV spots, such as a CINEAR premiere event featuring Roth and Amadeo. The film’s original title, Crímenes de familia, was retained in some markets, while the English title emphasized its thematic core: the inescapable ties that bind families—and criminals—together.

Reviews were sparse in the provided evidence, but Rotten Tomatoes lists the film with a cast that includes Roth, Castiglione, and Diego Cremonesi. The lack of critical consensus in the snippets suggests the movie flew under the radar for many international audiences, despite its strong cast and director.

Unanswered Questions and Thin Evidence

For all its promise, The Crimes That Bind leaves several gaps in its behind-the-scenes story. The evidence doesn’t reveal:

• Budget or filming locations: Was it shot entirely in Argentina, or did it span multiple countries? - Script origins: Who wrote the screenplay, and what inspired the story? The snippets don’t name the writer. - Critical reception: Beyond the Rotten Tomatoes listing, there’s no mention of reviews or audience reactions. - Awards or nominations: Did the film gain traction at festivals or industry events?

The most glaring omission is any detail about the cast’s off-screen dynamics. Did Roth and Castiglione bond over shared scenes? Was there tension between the director and Netflix over creative decisions? The evidence is silent on these points.

Why the Film Still Matters

Despite the gaps, The Crimes That Bind shows Schindel’s ability to craft taut, character-driven thrillers. Its Netflix release ensured a wider audience than many Argentine films typically reach, and its cast—led by Roth—guaranteed a level of prestige.

For fans of crime dramas, the film offers a glimpse into Schindel’s evolving style: less flashy than Hollywood counterparts, but no less gripping. Whether it’s remembered as a minor gem or a forgotten entry in Roth’s filmography may depend on whether more details about its production ever surface.