Clara Trischler’s absorbing second feature film offers a unique perspective on migration, diverging from typical documentaries that focus on the lives people build after crossing borders. Instead, Trischler’s work turns its attention to those left behind—specifically in El Alberto, a small Mexican town where many residents have migrated to the United States. The film opens with a tense, suspenseful scene that immerses viewers in the experience of a group of people moving through the dark, whispering and crawling toward an unseen border. Suddenly, a blinding light and the sound of gunfire interrupt the scene—a police car has arrived. This dramatic sequence is later revealed to be a reenactment, not real events. In El Alberto, migration has taken a heavy toll on the community, prompting local organizers to host what are called “Caminata Nocturna,” or “night hikes.” These events are designed to simulate the experience of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, using local residents as actors who portray various roles, including the feared “coyotes,” or human traffickers. Participants experience a dramatized version of the journey, from being loaded onto vans to facing intimidation and even simulated police interrogations. While these reenactments are meant to deter potential migrants by showing the dangers involved, they have also become a form of tourism, drawing visitors interested in experiencing the journey firsthand. Despite the intensity of the scenes, the film remains observational, offering little commentary on the psychological effects of these simulations or the ethical concerns they raise. For example, during one event, a woman is randomly chosen to play the role of a rape victim with little prior explanation of what to expect. However, Trischler does effectively capture the deep collective grief that permeates El Alberto. Through personal stories of those returned from the U.S. and children separated from their parents, the film conveys the emotional pain of separation. The divide is not just physical, but also emotional and experiential, leaving behind a void that is difficult to fill.