Where Is Juan Moctezuma? Premieres at FrightFest 2025

Director Alaric S. Rocha uncovers the mystery of Juan F. Moctezuma II at FrightFest.

Documentary Where Is Juan Moctezuma?

to World Premiere at FrightFest 2025

Anyone familiar with Mexican cinema knows the deep crossover between lucha libre wrestling and horror films—a legacy that influenced generations of filmmakers. Among the pioneers was Juan F. Moctezuma II, a cult auteur whose wild, subversive works inspired the likes of Guillermo del Toro, Robert Rodriguez, and Sam Raimi.

Moctezuma’s legend endures not only through his films but also through mystery. His final project, 1000 Paths of Death—shot in Hollywood under producer Roger Corman—was reportedly taken by Moctezuma himself, who then vanished with the footage, never to be seen again.

Filmmaker Alaric S. Rocha and producer Rana Joy Glickman now bring his story to the screen in Where Is Juan Moctezuma?, a documentary that blends film history, cultural legacy, and speculation about the director’s fate. The feature will have its world premiere at FrightFest 2025 on Sunday, August 24, at 8:55 p.m. (BST) at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square Discovery Screen 2.

Rocha frames the film as both history and homage:

“I want audiences to remember that Mexican cinema has a long, rich history that predates the international spotlight brought by Del Toro, Cuarón, and Iñárritu. The film is a celebration of that early cinema and the scrappy spirit of B-horror movies, told with a touch of Latin magical realism and tragic romance. At its heart lies Moctezuma’s belief that life could be like the movies—and his tragic refusal to accept otherwise.”

The film examines whether Moctezuma’s disappearance was the result of betrayal, myth, or perhaps even his ongoing feud with luchador nemesis Scorpion.

Expect a documentary filled with deep dives into Mexico’s exploitation film industry, Aztec lore, and the enduring magic of genre cinema.