Death
The film’s theme of death draws from narratives such as As I Lay Dying, in that it chronicles the pursuits of offering a proper committal to the deceased. As the title also suggests it is the attempt or rather the challenge at ensuring the proper burial of the titular character. Melquiades Estrada is murdered by mistake by Norton, a Border Patrol Officer at the beginning. The subsequent events are the discovery of the body from the first burial site, to a second burial and later an exhumation and then lastly a final burial. The actions of Pete, Estrada’s friend, at ensuring this and the action of other characters revolve around this death.
Justice
As much as the film is about the burial of Estrada the main motif is the quest for justice for his wrongful death. Pete who aims to seek justice for his friend’s murder goes to great lengths to kidnap Norton and make him redeem himself. Even after he initially informs the sheriff who disregards the case as near impossible to investigate because it involves the mistake of a Border Patrol. Lacking any support toward the potential cover-up he goes through with a long journey to Estrada’s hometown to honor his death while holding the killer hostage.
US-Mexico Border
With the controversy surrounding the US-Mexico border including illegal immigration and border enforcement especially in the 21st century, the film handles this theme and dynamic. The film portrays misconduct by a Border Patrol, a scenario which is probably accurate considering the elusive nature of the operations at the border. Moreover, it also shows the rampant nature of illegal immigration through the border and the encounters with border enforcement.
