Hard yards, vulnerable bodies: Tenderness in two recent prison films from Argentina and Chile.

This article examines the cinematic portrayal of tenderness in two recent prison films from the Southern Cone of Latin America: the Chilean fictional drama *El Príncipe* (2019) directed by Sebastián Muñoz, and the Argentine documentary *Rancho* (2021) by Pedro Speroni. Both films explore intimate emotions and relationships within the harsh carceral environments, challenging typical prison film tropes centered on violence and masculinity by highlighting moments of affection, vulnerability, and communal bonds among incarcerated men. Through their nuanced depictions, these films encourage viewers to consider broader social issues beyond prison reform, including systemic marginalization, sexual rights, and the possibility of more humane lives inside and outside prison walls. Neither film advocates explicitly for prison abolition but instead invites reflection on the complex realities of incarceration and the need for wider social change in Latin America.