Actress Adria Arjona (right) plays a caregiver in a sanatorium where some Los Frikis members live. Credit: Wayward Range Releasing

The forthcoming dramatic film Los Frikis tells the true story of a Cuban punk subculture made up of young people who defied their government by listening to rock ’n’ roll.

During the 1990s, some members of the Los Frikis subculture purposely injected themselves with HIV-infected blood so they could move into government housing. They took the desperate move so they could have safe places to stay and enough food to eat during Cuba’s economic crisis.

In the film, actress Adria Arjona (Hit Man) plays Maria, a caregiver who works at a sanatorium where some of the Los Frikis members live. This includes two brothers, Paco (Héctor Medina) and Gustavo (Eros de la Puente), the latter of whom has faked his HIV diagnosis.

During an interview with the Current, Arjona, 32, talked about the importance of the story behind Los Frikis and what she found inspiring about her character. She also discussed why more original Latino narratives need to be told in Hollywood.

Los Frikis will make its debut on digital platforms on March 28, 2025.

What was your initial reaction when you learned about Los Frikis and what they did in order to survive?

I didn’t know about this story or this period in history. I felt pretty ignorant. Once I finished the script, I went down this rabbit hole and started learning more about the story. I spoke to [writers/directors] Tyler [Nilson] and Michael [Schwartz], and they educated me. I knew it was so important for this story to be told. The way that Tyler and Michael wanted to tell it and their vision for it was something that I just couldn’t say no to.

Why was it important to bring this lost Cuban history to the surface again?

It really showcases desperation in a different light. In my eyes, I think a lot of stories that have a touch of history are important. We should know about them. We’re so used to seeing maybe three or four [Latin American stories] on the big screen. We keep watching them with different actors, writers and directors, and it’s the same thing. We’re perceived in the same way. I think with Los Frikis, it’s different.

What did you like about your character, and how she fits into the overall narrative?

There isn’t a better depiction of a Latin woman than Maria. She’s maternal. She’s incredibly strong. She’s vulnerable. She has all the qualities that the women in my family have. So, that’s what really drew me to my character. [Like Maria], I’m very sensitive. I care deeply about other people, sometimes to my own detriment.

Los Frikis co-producer Phil Lord, who is best known for producing movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, has Cuban roots. Do we need more Latinos like him making decisions about the stories to tell in Hollywood?

Absolutely, and not necessarily just Latin — of every culture. Obviously, I’m biased, so I’m going to always say, “More Latin!” It’s important that we educate ourselves through film. Films can really inform us as a culture. It shapes and shifts culture at times. It’s important that we tell our stories and that we portray characters we can relate to.

Is it enough to make the “Latino version” of a movie, or do we need more original stories?

No, we need original stories that highlight our culture. I did [the remake of] Father of the Bride. It was the Latin version. I am so proud of being a part of that movie. With that said, it’s also really important to tell fresh, new stories. There are so many out there. But telling a new story is a risk, and Hollywood is kind of safe, so it’s hard. You have to do it independently. It’s a struggle. I think the most important thing is for our community to support Latin content. If we’re demanding representation, then we have to show up.

Since you are a Puerto Rican and Guatemalan actress and are playing a Cuban woman in Los Frikis, did you find anything challenging about capturing that specific Spanish-language accent?

You know, all of the muscles in my mouth had to move differently. It’s almost like doing an English accent. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in Miami, so I’ve been around a lot of Cuban-Americans. I’m Puerto Rican, so I’m Caribbean. That made it feel a little bit easier on me, especially on my body and the way that it moves.

Late last year, Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez criticized Mexican American actress Selena Gomez for her Mexican accent in Emilia Pérez. Do you consider having conversations about those kinds of uncomfortable topics constructive?

Everyone has their right to their own opinion. I think [Selena] did a beautiful job. It is a sensitive topic in the same way it is to have two Americans direct [Los Frikis]. When you have Emilia Pérez being told by a French [director], people ask, “Well, why can a Frenchman do it and not two Americans?” It’s always tricky. At the end of the day, we’re all vessels of a story.

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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.

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