Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
While visiting family in Mexico, a lonely boy befriends a mythical creature hiding on his grandfather's ranch and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Chupa is a warmhearted family adventure that leans heavily on the E.T. template — lonely kid, magical creature, heartfelt bond — without adding much to the formula. The Mexican setting and chupacabra mythology give it some cultural novelty and a distinctive regional flavor, but the plot hits familiar beats too predictably and the ending feels rushed and overly tidy. Acting from the young cast and Ron Perlman is serviceable and charming, and the cinematography captures the Mexican countryside pleasantly without doing anything remarkable. A decent family film that doesn't quite escape its derivative foundations.