“Kingdom of Shadows” explores the challenging decisions and devastating impacts of the U.S.-Mexico “drug war” through the experiences of three individuals. Director Bernardo Ruiz intricately connects the stories of an activist nun in the heavily affected city of Monterrey, Mexico, a U.S. Federal agent stationed at the border, and a former smuggler from Texas. Together, these narratives shed light on the human aspect of a frequently misinterpreted conflict, which has led to the “disappearance” of over 23,000 people in Mexico—a burgeoning human rights issue that has only recently gained global attention.