Perfect Obedience

The fictional character Father Ángel de la Cruz is inspired by Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legion of Christ, whose extensive history of child abuse was not addressed until 2006 and only publicly acknowledged in 2009. However, director Luis Urquiza opts to tell the story through the innocent and curious perspective of 13-year-old Julián. Julián leaves his nurturing pastoral family to enter the solemn and revered environment of the seminary. Father Ángel selects the boy as his close disciple, brings him into his luxurious private quarters, and renames him “Sacramento Santos.” He then begins to teach Julián about the concept of “perfect obedience,” emphasizing the primary rule: never question the actions of a superior.