Motel Destino Review: A Noirish Fever Dream Filled with Sweat and Desire

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our coverage of Cannes 2024. Motel Destino will be released in theaters on August 29.

      In simple terms, Brazilian motels are havens for sexual encounters. This fact is universally acknowledged and accepted. You pay by the hour, and the suite is yours––complete with a large bed, on-demand pornography, and atmospheric lighting to enhance intimacy––to satisfy your desires. Besides serving as a refuge for those seeking pleasure during transit, motels also offer a space to deepen connections with each sexual encounter. Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz focuses on one such venue in Motel Destino, marking his sixth entry at Cannes and his second in the Main Competition. The film is set along the northeastern coast of Ceará, Aïnouz's home province, which shines under the intense equatorial sun, with the sea splashing against the shore, while crime remains a means of survival for many: an ideal backdrop for a vibrant noir narrative.

      Aïnouz has demonstrated his ability to navigate both mainstream (Firebrand) and experimental (The Invisible Life, Mariner of the Mountains) cinema; thus, it feels natural that noir would suit him. Indeed, it does: we are captivated by the surroundings and eager to accompany Heraldo (portrayed by newcomer and Ceará local Iago Xavier) as he explores the hidden rooms and hallways of Motel Destino. One fateful morning, he awakens in a suite to find himself robbed and running late for a job; a night of indulgence has come at a high price. Following this, he becomes a fugitive, and ironically, the only refuge available to him is the very place that led to his predicament: the motel.

      On his way to "the concrete jungle of São Paulo," Heraldo now finds himself trapped at the motel with its proprietor, Elias (Fábio Assunção), and his younger wife Dayana (Nataly Rocha), who is instantly drawn to the 21-year-old stranger. From their first interaction, the chemistry between Heraldo and Dayana sizzles on screen. Given that noir thrives on the dynamics of desire and violence, the tension intensifies within the confines of Motel Destino.

      On his initial morning, Heraldo wakes feeling despondent and calls for assistance; Dayana opens the hatch meant for extra towels or toothbrushes and finds herself unexpectedly grabbed by the neck. “I’ll snap it,” Heraldo warns, as she dares him to follow through. In this moment, they share a connection fueled by a dominant-submissive energy that, while unspoken, clearly hints at their troubled pasts. It’s evident they both have endured violence and sought ways to manage it. All characters in the film are motivated by immediate desires: to hide, to degrade, but primarily to indulge in pleasure.

      Of course, the pursuit of pleasure can disrupt life and postpone critical decisions. Even when the possibility of killing Elias arises––a detail that's no secret, as genre tropes seem to demand it––Heraldo and Dayana still hesitate to envision a future together. These characters exist in a state of short-lived impulses and motivations; they embody both desire and destruction. None of this detracts from their compelling presence on screen. On the contrary, Motel Destino could benefit from a more flexible conceptual approach, focusing on the carnal intensity of the moment. What this tropical noir lacks is a complete immersion in the raw emotions it presents.

      While the motel's name translates to "destiny," a notion that a character later refers to during an act of liberation, this aspiration contrasts with the immediacy that propels this film. It feels as if attributing a transcendent quality to the characters' desires would somehow undermine their physicality, whether they are together or apart. It’s no accident that Motel Destino is photographed by the renowned Hélène Louvart, a master of capturing emotional close-ups. Her striking close-ups saturate the screen with sweat and fervent desire: destiny resides in the present, where our bodies connect.

      Motel Destino premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.