Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.

American Me
1992
7.4/10

Menace II Society
1993
7.5/10

Colors
1988
6.5/10

Boyz n the Hood
1991
7.6/10

Shot Caller
2017
7.0/10

Paid in Full
2002
6.8/10

Get Rich or Die Tryin'
2005
6.8/10

Assault on Precinct 13
1976
7.3/10

Dark Blue
2002
6.3/10

We Die Young
2019
6.8/10

Where the Day Takes You
1992
6.1/10

Trespass
1992
6.3/10

1992
2024
6.9/10

Fresh
1994
7.2/10

Gangster Squad
2013
6.4/10

New Jack City
1991
6.7/10

King of New York
1990
6.8/10

Crown Vic
2019
6.2/10

Juice
1992
7.2/10

Belly
1998
6.2/10
Jackie Brown
1997
7.357/10