Directed by Manolo Coro and based on Juan Pablo Villalobos’s novel Fiesta en la Madriguera, the film “Down the Rabbit Hole” features Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Yolcaut, Tochtli’s father. The story revolves around Tochtli’s journey to fulfilling his dream of petting a hippopotamus, and his father goes to some extent to help him achieve that. There is no complaint at all about the basic story; just the screenplay lacks substance and fun. After all, when the book itself focuses on the journey that Yolcaut goes through to fulfill his son’s wish and is filled with humorous tones, why would the maker try anything different by taking a more serious approach? Anyway, the film definitely lacks the potential to become an adventurous tale of a young boy who travels the world under tragic circumstances.
Spoilers Ahead
Down the Rabbit Hole (2024) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis:
The film starts with celebrating Tochtli by looking at his collection of sombreros as the caretaker of the house, Itzpapalotl, comes and invites him to open all the presents since it is his birthday. Tochtli has already made a list of things he wants. He almost gets everything because his father, Yolcaut, always delivers everything. However, Tochtli had wished for a hippopotamus. But Yolcaut is only able to bring him a pica-pau, a peculiar woodpecker from Brazil. Yolcaut knows how costly this bird is. He tells Tochtli knows how rare it is, but they both know that this is not a hippopotamus.
Later that night, Yolcaut comes with an apologetic gesture to his son for failing to bring the hippopotamus. However, Tochtli acts in a mature manner, saying that he loves the bird as well. Since Tochtli does not have his mother and Yolcaut is one of the drug lords in Mexico, they stay on a faraway island where no one can find them. So, for Tochtli’s pleasure, Yolcaut has given him everything including a private zoo where they have tigers and other animals as well. Yolcaut’s life is basically devoted to two things: first, Tochtli and then his business. Yolcaut prioritizes his family more than anything in the world.
Why does Yocault shoot the Hippopotamuses?
There comes a time when the upcoming election threatens the present government of Mexico. Hence, they are not sure if they can protect Yocault’s business for much longer. Well, this is perhaps a coverup message just to increase their payment because this way they think they can get to Yocault. But, Yocault understands the business and he does not respond to the greed of the government. He knows that this will not end up in his favor. Therefore, he brings Tochtli and Chichilkuali to Africa to bring the hippopotamus his son has wished for. After a lot of looking around, the guide is finally able to put two hippopotamuses to sleep, and they prepare to get back to Mexico with them.
However, the very next day, the guide tells them that the hippos are not doing well because of some kind of illness. Yocault, along with Chilchilkuali and Tochtli, visit the hippos. It is clearly visible that they are in tremendous pain and can not be moved to Mexico as they will not suffer such a long trip. Tochtli acts very rigidly to bring them back home and treat them as Yocault fails to make him understand the amount of pain the hippos are already in. When asked to move away, Tochtli decides not to. Yocault shoots the hippos in front of him to help them get rid of the pain. Tochtli witnesses this for the first time. His pants go wet as he stands there, looking at those dying eyes of one of the two hippos.
Why does Yocault want to kill Mazatzin?
Mazatzin is the private tutor Yocault has hired to teach Tochtli about history and everything that is important for a child to learn. Mazatzin’s relationship with Tochtli is more natural than Yocault’s. Yocault’s love for Tochtli does not follow any rules or boundaries in the world, whereas Mazatzin, being a guide and mentor of Tochtli, loves him rationally.
Tochtli himself is a brilliant young boy who can remember everything that he learns. Mazatzin is quite an educated guy himself who does not really like Yocault because of the business. Also, the dislike has perhaps originated from the fear of a guy like Yocault, who is unpredictable and can kill anyone if necessary. So, one day, before their visit to Africa, Yocault asks Mazatzin to come for breakfast, which intrigues intuition and fear within Mazatzin.
While they eat their breakfast, Quecholli, Yolcaut’s new mistress, shares her ideas on femininity and masculinity. However, the contrast of ideas is widely visible between Yocault and Mazatzin. Yocault even insults him about his writing. Mazatzin is loved and respected by Yocault’s men, who secretly pay him for the books he gives them to read. But right after their visit from Africa, the scenario changes swiftly.
One night, Tochtli hears his father, Yocault, screaming and breaking things in the house. There is already ongoing political tension around the house. Now Yocault has found out that Mazatzin has written about the Rabbit Hole, the house where Yocault and his family stay. However, he has mentioned everyone in the house except for Tochtli because Mazatzin has always loved him. Mazatzin’s treachery makes Yocault so mad that he wants to kill him right then. Well, only if he is able to find him.
What happens during the Party?
Now, all thanks to Mazatzin, the world knows everything about the place, and Yocault is not safe here in this rabbit hole. He calls one of his friends from the United States to remind her of ‘the important thing’ they have talked about. This only means the well-being of Tochtli if anything happens to Yocault. Later, Yocault organizes a party where all the family members devote themselves to having fun. Yocault shares how much he values everyone in the family, including the ones who have helped him grow the business. When Tochtli and Cuazalotl, one of Yocault’s girlfriends, go to bring the soup, they find the head of one of the government representatives floating there.
Soon, the whole house is covered by law enforcement authorities. They start shooting and throwing bombs at random. Yocault has already guessed something like this will happen soon. This is the reason why he has brought Cuazalotl. Cuazalotl knows the escape plan precisely and whom to find to make sure Tochtli is safe and sound. Yocault has planned everything so smoothly that through a secret tunnel, Cuazalotl successfully guides Tochtli out of the Rabbit Hole.
Down the Rabbit Hole (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
Is Yocault Still Alive?
As the film reaches its climax, we see Yocault preparing himself to face the law as he has ensured Tochtli’s safety. After a good amount of time, we see Tochtli with his new family. He is no longer bald-headed. He has grown hair now. It is his birthday, and he opens his presents. There is only one sombrero this year, and that too, the Yankee one. Tochtli finds happiness in that because there is nothing more he can do about it.
Soon, a parcel arrives for Tochtli and there we see two stuffed hippo faces. There can be some debate over whether Yocault is alive or not. But the logical one might be when Yocault killed those two hippos. He had told the guide at that time to stuff their heads and deliver them to this location on Tochtli’s birthday. Yocault has always been a man who could foresee what might happen to the business or to the family.
So, it is only logical to think Yocault is dead. However, if his urge to see his son’s face pushes him to a position to escape from the Rabbit Hole, then he can easily take the secret way out and somehow escape the law. He needs to stay in hiding because since he has escaped, he will be on the run forever and cannot meet with Tochtli on his own terms. Anyway, this is an open end to the story. We also don’t know whether Mazatzin was working individually or he was a spy and what happened to him after he published the article.
Whatever there is, when Tochtli leaves the rabbit hole, it is one of the rare few times when he isn’t wearing his sombrero. He already knows that his house, his castle, is gone as in the beginning he is introduced as the king of the house. When he leaves the place in the night, he is filled with fear and the king hence rests within him forever. For some definite reasons, Tochtli’s connection with Yocault is one of the very few things in the film that will inspire the audience to praise the film.
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