Why Is “Blood In, Blood Out” So Popular?

There is a difference between a cultural landmark and exploitation.

What can you say about “Blood In, Blood Out: Bound by Honor” (1993), the Chicano exploitation flick that hasn’t been said already? “Blood In, Blood Out” is officially 30-years-old now and as someone originally saw the film in the theater, it’s odd to me that it’s more popular now than it was then.

It has generations of obsessive fans by now, dedicated social media accounts and merch galore. But for the life of me, I simply cannot comprehend why people hold this odd film and its perverse characters in such high regard, even after all these years.

“Blood In, Blood Out,” which was directed by non-Chicano, Taylor Hackford, is allegedly based on the “true life” experiences of Chicano poet, Jimmy Santiago Baca. How much of the film is actually based on his life remains a mystery, but a quick glance at his bio reveals that he did five years in Arizona State Prison in his early twenties—three of them in isolation—where he began to read and write poetry and eventually submit his writing to magazines.