December 7, 2025
Movie

Pedro Páramo Explained

Carolina Rojasby Carolina Rojas

Spoiler Alert! This article contains spoilers of Pedro Páramo

Rodrigo Prieto has an extended career as a director of photography having worked with directors like Alejandro González Iñárritu, Ang Lee, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese. He has also been a four-time nominee for the Academy Awards and Bafta Awards. In 2024 his debut film, Pedro Páramo, was released on Netflix and it’s based in the symbolic Juan Rulfo’s novel, published in 1955. 

The novel blends magic realism and profound meditations on love, solitude, death, and the oppressive control of Hacendados (large estate owners) over rural Mexico from the 1800s to the mid-1900s. Prieto’s adaptation stays faithful to the original, narrating the journey of Juan Preciado, a young man who promises his dying mother to search for his father, Pedro Páramo—a feared and powerful man in the ghostly town of Comala.

Upon arrival at Comala, Juan finds himself in a ghostly town inhabited by the echoes of the past and the souls trapped in an eternal limbo. Through fragmented stories, Pedro’s absolute control over Comala and its people is revealed, as well as his obsession for Susana San Juan -the one that got away- a love that marked his life and drove him to emotional and moral ruin.

 

The narrative combines memories of dead villagers and Juan’s experiences. This builds a somber and poetic ambiance in which the fine line between the living and the dead blurs. The movie explores universal themes like abuse of power, failed redemption, and the weight of unfulfilled promises, capturing the bittersweet and desolate scenery from the book.

Redrum. Woo Films. Netflix. 2024.

What does this journey between the living, the dead, and the memories mean?

 

The historical context is Pre-revolutionary and Revolutionary (1870-1930). It depicts how in several regions spread through Mexico, Hacendados were in full control of towns and their people. The Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) was driven by widespread social, economic, and political inequality under the long dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. His regime favored the wealthy elite, particularly Hacendados, allowing them to control vast amounts of land.

 

The abuse of Hacendados played a key role because they exploited “peones” (landless rural workers) through unfair labor practices, such as debt peonage, and dispossessed small farmers and Indigenous communities of their ancestral lands. This created extreme disparities in wealth and land ownership, leaving the majority of Mexicans impoverished and disenfranchised. The revolution began as a call for democratic reforms, land redistribution, and social justice.

 

This systemic abuse from the elite extended through their land, establishments, and family members. For example, Miguel Páramo sexually assaulted young women and everyone in the town still respected him. Priest Rendería first took baby Miguel Páramo to Pedro as he was the father and his mother had died alone during childbirth. Years later, Priest Rendería had to bless Miguel Páramo at his funeral even though he didn’t want to because he abused Rendería’s niece and killed her father. This corruption is revealed when Priest Rentería, despite his grievances, accepts bribes from Pedro to perform sacred rites for Miguel.

 

The Priest appears in scenes of confessions, supporting his niece, helping the women Pedro used and later abandoned, and helping Susana San Juan recover in hopes of her appearance at his church. In other words, Priest Rentería represents death, guilt, and forgiveness. Death is another prevalent theme in the story and Mexican literature due to pre-Hispanic traditions, an existential inquiry by multiple authors, and because of Mexico’s violent history (Indigenous invasions, Spanish conquest, Mexican Independence and Revolution, and current social struggles). 

 

Death in Pedro Páramo revolves around religion and sin. The name Pedro comes from the Latin word – Petrus (stone)- and Páramo comes from the Latin word – Paramus (rocky and desert terrain)-. They have all sinned, “¿No me ve el pecado?” (Don’t you see sin in me?): incest, suicide, rape, murder, deceit, greed, and adultery have cursed Comala leaving the dead walking around a dry and lonely town. The priest also represents a “spiritual tyrant” hence being told he can’t continue consecrating others if he’s a sinner himself. Pedro Páramo portrays the demonic figure through his tyranny, which extends to his son Miguel. Still, sin is inside every soul of Comala, which has taken away the possibility of purification.  Their inability to move on reflects a spiritual stagnation tied to Pedro’s corrupt and oppressive rule.

 

 

Susana San Juan had always been Pedro’s ideal partner. They grew up together and cherished one another until she had to leave to bury her mother and never go back to Comala. 30 years later she returned to marry Pedro, but she went mad. She was tormented by her father appearing in her dreams and her character represents craziness and magic realism. She ended up locked inside her room stuck in her dreams until she passed away. When she died, Pedro ordered bells to be tolled trying to announce and honor her death. Accidentally, the people of Comala thought the bells announced a party, so they joined it. This angered and humiliated Pedro so he swore to retaliate. He abandoned his land, houses, and businesses, leading the town to ruin and extinction. 

 

 

Pedro is like a stone, rigid and stubborn. Simultaneous to the narration of his death, Juan Preciado -his son who was looking for him and ran into the spirits- died in Comala tormented by his father’s sins. Both of their deaths represent the inevitable cycle of life, the consequences of immorality, loneliness, and the hardship and pain faced by the oppressed. Their memories and deaths reveal the unaddressed history of trauma and the differences between colonial Hispanic descendants and the Indigenous. Pedro’s lonely death reminds us of the pointless nature of greed, power, and vengeance. Everyone in Comala was separated in life by uneven distributions of resources, but united by the “after-life”. In other words, the story explores human nature and the human condition in the context of oppression in rural Mexico.

 

In the end, Prieto’s adaptation delivers a poignant message: despite life’s disparities, all are united in death. Pedro Páramo is more than a cinematic masterpiece—it’s a deep exploration of Mexico’s social and historical wounds and a testament to the timelessness of Juan Rulfo’s storytelling.

Carolina Rojas

View all posts by Carolina Rojas →

You might also like

Asteroid City and its Hilarious Absurdism

8 Details that Hinted Oliver’s True Intentions in Saltburn

“The Girl with the Needle”: A Shocking True Story of War, Survival, and the Darkest Secret of Motherhood

138 thoughts on “Pedro Páramo Explained”

  3. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

  7. You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

  20. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  23. Greate article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by your site. Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.

  29. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.I really like what you have acquired here, certainly likewhat you are stating and the way in which you say it.You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.I cant wait to read much more from you. http://www.kayswell.com This is actually a wonderful site.

  40. Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! http://www.kayswell.com

  43. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.

  44. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  45. Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! http://www.kayswell.com

  46. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon! http://www.kayswell.com

  49. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.I really like what you have acquired here, certainly likewhat you are stating and the way in which you say it.You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.I cant wait to read much more from you. http://www.kayswell.com This is actually a wonderful site.

  60. Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated! http://www.kayswell.com

  61. You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I have read something like this before. So nice to discover another person with a few genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality! http://www.kayswell.com

  65. This is the right webpage for anybody who wishes to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been discussed for ages. Excellent stuff, just wonderful! http://www.kayswell.com

  83. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  86. I have noticed that over the course of building a relationship with real estate homeowners, you’ll be able to get them to understand that, in every real estate transaction, a payment is paid. In the end, FSBO sellers never “save” the commission payment. Rather, they struggle to earn the commission by simply doing a good agent’s task. In accomplishing this, they commit their money plus time to accomplish, as best they’re able to, the jobs of an realtor. Those assignments include exposing the home by way of marketing, showing the home to willing buyers, creating a sense of buyer emergency in order to induce an offer, scheduling home inspections, dealing with qualification investigations with the mortgage lender, supervising maintenance, and assisting the closing.

  87. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, http://www.hairstylesvip.com this website could undeniably be one of the best in its field.

  92. I just like the valuable information you provide on your articles.I’ll bookmark your blog and test again here frequently.I’m quite certain I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

  93. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. kudos

  94. An added important aspect is that if you are a senior citizen, travel insurance pertaining to pensioners is something you should really think about. The more aged you are, a lot more at risk you might be for getting something terrible happen to you while in most foreign countries. If you are never covered by quite a few comprehensive insurance, you could have a few serious complications. Thanks for giving your hints on this website.

  97. naturally like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I will certainly come back again.

  98. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always exciting to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from other web sites.

  99. great points altogether, you simply received a logo new reader. What might you suggest in regards to your publish that you just made a few days in the past? Any positive?

  100. There’s a quality in your writing that transcends the typical bounds of literature. It doesn’t simply convey ideas — it invites the reader to explore them from within, to sit with them in silence and feel their deeper meanings settle. This is the sort of writing that not only informs, but transforms. You’ve managed to make something as ordinary as words into a space where one can feel truly alive.

  102. I just like the valuable information you provide on your articles.I’ll bookmark your blog and test again here frequently.I’m quite certain I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

  107. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch outfor brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.Cheers!

  109. Thanks for your publish. My partner and i have always seen that the majority of people are wanting to lose weight simply because they wish to appear slim in addition to looking attractive. Nonetheless, they do not generally realize that there are additional benefits for you to losing weight also. Doctors insist that overweight people experience a variety of diseases that can be directly attributed to their excess weight. The good news is that people who’re overweight and suffering from diverse diseases can reduce the severity of their own illnesses by simply losing weight. You possibly can see a steady but notable improvement in health while even a bit of a amount of weight-loss is accomplished.

  111. Right here is the perfect blog for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a freshspin on a topic that has been written about for decades.Excellent stuff, just great!

  112. I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it.
    I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new things you post…

  118. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  119. I have fun with, lead to I found exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  120. It’s in point of fact a great and useful piece of info.I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us.Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  122. That is the correct weblog for anyone who needs to search out out about this topic. You realize a lot its virtually onerous to argue with you (not that I truly would need匟aHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply nice!

  124. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.I really like what you have acquired here, certainly likewhat you are stating and the way in which you say it.You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a wonderful site.

  129. Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any ideas?

  130. I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been using? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?

  131. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Many thanks

  133. Ich kann den Beiträgen von Stephon und DarkPhoenix
    nur zustimmen, der “neue” Bond ist absolut sehenswert. Der Bösewicht sah viel lieber aus als
    bond und Bond hätte einen Kopfschuß verdient so wie der aussieht.
    So einen Schrott hat man selten gesehen. Diese hier
    ist die Verfilmung des allersten Romanes aus der Reihe von “James Bond 007″…
    Spätestens seit Brosnan konnte man sich doch
    keinen Film dieser Reihe mehr ansehen. Die Grundlage dafür zu sehen, ist großartig, sozusagen alles back to
    the roots.
    Wie in den 3 Vorgängerfilmen war diesmal wieder David Arnold für die Filmmusik verantwortlich.
    In der fürs US-amerikanische Fernsehen bearbeiteten Version von 1954 wurde sie in Valerie Mathis umbenannt und auch der tragische Aspekt ihres unfreiwilligen Doppelagentendaseins blieb unbeachtet, sodass sie und der zu einem CIA-Agenten umgeschriebene Jimmy Bond einander in einem typisch amerikanischen “Zelluloid-Happy-End“ in die
    Arme sinken können. 19 Jahre nach dem Dreh des bis heute
    beliebten Kultfilms, kommt es ans Licht. Sie warne
    vir allem nicht befriedent, da viel zu oberflächlich.Es
    gab und gibt einen Gegner der Bondfilme, den man nennen muß
    und der dann mit S. Gehen wir zurück in die Zeit als die Bondfilme anfingen…

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/legiano-casino-2025-test-login-zahlungen/

  134. Neuankömmlinge dürfen sich über ein Willkommenspaket im Wert von bis zu
    3.600 € freuen, das sich über vier Einzahlungen erstreckt und 1.100 Freispiele enthält.

    Mit neun von zehn Punkten liegt das Mafia Casino im oberen Mittelfeld, was vor allem auf die außergewöhnlich breit gefächerte
    Spielauswahl zurückzuführen ist. Ob Sportwetten, klassische Automatenspiele, Live
    Casino Spiele oder ausgefallene, thematisch
    aufbereitete Namen – das Angebot ist enorm und höchst abwechslungsreich.
    Zusätzlich bietet die Seite tägliche Aktionen,
    Cashback‑Deals und Turniere, die das Spielgeschehen abwechslungsreich
    und lohnenswert machen. Neuankömmlinge erhalten einen großzügigen Willkommensbonus, während treue Spieler von einem abwechslungsreichen Bonusprogramm profitieren können.
    Wenn wir auf Online Casino Seiten spielen, hoffen wir oftmals auch auf einen großen Gewinn.
    Beste Unterhaltung ist ebenfalls durch einen integrierten Live-Chat geboten, mit dem Sie die Möglichkeit haben, mit anderen Pokerspielern zu kommunizieren. In unseren umfangreichen Spielotheken Erfahrungen finden Sie auch eine Vielzahl der
    besten Poker Casinos, bei denen Sie Online Poker mit Echtgeld spielen können. Sind Sie vielleicht ein begeisterter Pokerspieler, der gerne ein paar Runden an diesem faszinierenden Tischspiel teilnehmen möchte?
    Beste Online Casinos für Blackjack zeichnen sich nicht nur durch ihre Live Casino-Angebote aus, sondern auch durch
    eine beeindruckende Palette an digitalen Blackjack Tischspielen.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/verde-casino-aktionscode-goverde-bonus-1-200e-220fs/

  135. Die bequeme und intuitive Schnittstelle der Website zieht auch neue Spieler an, die alle
    notwendigen Hintergrundinformationen online erhalten können. Einer der Vorteile der Jet Casino bonus code
    website ist die Geschwindigkeit, mit der sie sich öffnet,
    unabhängig von der Mindestgeschwindigkeit des Internets.
    Um im Jet Casino bonus code aktiv zu bleiben, bietet der Club ein Treueprogramm an.
    Bei einem Minimum von 50 Freispielen wird eine Einzahlung von 10 Euro empfohlen.
    Die maximale Anzahl an Freispielen (500) wird für eine Einzahlung von 150 Euro vergeben. Für den Jet Casino bonus
    code ohne einzahlung erfordern die Bonusbedingungen eine Einzahlung von mindestens 10 Euro auf das Konto.
    Neue Mitglieder von Jet Casino erhalten Freispiele (Free
    Spins) ohne Einzahlung, für die Registrierung und Aktivierung eines Kontos.

    JET Casino © 2025 jetcasino-de.com Die Informationen auf der Website werden vom Website-Betreiber GALAKTIKA N.V.
    Jede Person unter 18 Jahren oder unter dem
    in einer bestimmten Gerichtsbarkeit geltenden Mindestalter für Glücksspiele („Mindestalter“)
    darf die Dienste dieser Website unter keinen Umständen nutzen. Diese Funktionen sind leicht zugänglich und
    helfen dabei, ein gesundes Spielverhalten zu fördern. Darüber hinaus bieten wir die Möglichkeit
    zur Selbstsperre, falls ein Spieler eine Pause vom Spielen benötigt.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/400-casino-bonus-2025-beste-angebote-fur-deutschland/

  136. Neben Rankings und Vergleichen veröffentlicht Casino
    Guru Rezensionen zu bestimmten Spielen und Plattformen und gibt Empfehlungen zur Auswahl passender Slots, Roulette-, Blackjack- und anderer Tischspiele.

    So kann es sein, dass ein Casino eine riesige Spielauswahl bietet, aber eine fragwürdige Lizenz besitzt oder zu
    komplizierte Umsatzanforderungen für Boni hat.
    Das Portal fungiert als unabhängiger Vermittler zwischen Spielern und Glücksspielseiten und bietet umfangreiche
    Bewertungen, Ranglisten, Tipps und Empfehlungen. Strategien für unterschiedliche Casinospiele helfen, Risiken zu minimieren und das Beste aus
    jedem Einsatz herauszuholen. Selbstausschluss-Programme
    bieten eine Möglichkeit, sich zeitweise oder dauerhaft vom
    Glücksspiel abzumelden.
    Letztlich soll der Bonus in Form des Willkommensbonus nur ein Vorgeschmack von dem sein, was dich im Online Casino erwartet.
    Ein Bonus ohne Einzahlung, der als Anmeldebonus genutzt wird, ist immer an Bedingungen geknüpft.

    So kann es sein, dass der Bonus ohne Einzahlung ein Willkommens- oder Anmeldebonus ist.
    Millionengewinne kannst du dir also von einem Bonus ohne Einzahlung
    nicht erwarten. Vergewissern Sie sich immer, dass Sie die Kriterien für legales Glücksspiel in Ihrer Gerichtsbarkeit erfüllen. Die Zukunft von Plattformen wie
    Casino Guru ist untrennbar mit weiteren Fortschritten in der
    Technologie und der Glücksspielbranche insgesamt verbunden. Es geht nicht nur
    darum, zu gewinnen, sondern auch darum, die Erfahrung zu genießen, ohne sich übermäßigen Risiken auszusetzen.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/nv-casino-bestes-online-casino-in-deutschland/

  137. Sonderveranstaltung in Kooperation mit dem Kulturamt Aschaffenburg.
    Rashid, der Besitzer des The Grill, hat… Mehr Gegen alle
    Köche ohne Papiere wird ermittelt und Pedro (Raúl Briones) ist der Hauptverdächtige.
    Insbesondere dann, wenn der Teufel selbst involviert ist Als Hoffmann an…
    Mehr Durch den Nebel der Jahre erinnert sich ein Dichter an die Frauen, die er
    geliebt hat. Juan Diego Flórez steht in Offenbachs traumhafter Oper an der
    Spitze einer hervorragenden Besetzung.
    Es wurden leider keine Ergebnisse gefunden. Teilen Sie gerne Ihre Ideen,
    Verbesserungsvorschläge oder Wünsche mit. Noch sind nicht alle Inhalte online, noch ist nicht alles
    perfekt, aber wir arbeiten im Hintergrund weiter an der Seite.

    Aschaffenburg.de ist Ihr Bürgerserviceportal mit vielen wichtigen Informationen. In den Ferien auch manchmal die komplette Woche.
    Oder nutzen Sie direkt unser Anmeldungs-Formular Fremde Kulturen, politische Zusammenhänge, wissenschaftliche Entdeckungen, und historische Ereignisse…

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/verde-casino-no-deposit-bonus-fur-deutschland/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *