Adrian Zachow’s review published on Letterboxd:
From the opening scroll Bunuel promises something realistic and grim. Bunuel does indeed deliver something that will shake you up. This is not black and white Hollywood where films were constrained by censorship to be a wholesome prim and proper. Los Olvidados is unflinching in depicting life for the youth living in Mexican slums as a violent and complicated mess. The usage of street slang only adds to the authenticity of the drama. An appeal is made for progressive attitudes towards resolving these societal problems, but Bunuel decides to forego optimism in favour of leading audiences towards shocking despair. It is, perhaps for the time, a courageous choice, but one which hasn't lost its impact.