Amidst the lunch rush of a bustling Times Square restaurant, a series of events threaten to bring the kitchen to a crashing halt in “La Cocina”.
In the heart of the kitchen, dreams and desperation collide as the back-of-house staff each chase the elusive American dream. When money goes missing from the till, the spotlight falls on Pedro (Raúl Briones), a passionate dreamer entangled in a tumultuous love affair with Julia (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), a waitress grappling with her own commitments.
As tensions rise and shocking revelations unfold, the relentless pace of the kitchen threatens to shatter the hopes and aspirations of those who keep it running.
It's a high-stakes drama that explores the intersection of the personal ambition and systemic exploitation of undocumented immigrant workers within the pressure-cooker environment of a Times Square New York restaurant.
Featuring an array of outstanding performances led by Briones and Mara, “La Cocina” is a gripping, exhilarating and truly cinematic new film from acclaimed director Alonso Ruizpalacios.
“A singular masterwork.” — RogerEbert.com
“It is ‘The Bear’ on steroids.” — Deadline
“Explosive.” — The Hollywood Reporter