Poison for the Fairies

I'm not sure how I would categorize this film, and I also don't know who I would recommend it for. It's slightly twisted, but only so. Much of the movie feels more like a drama centering on the friendship of two little girls. Eventually, they pull the rug out from that, but these kids aren't as messed as, say, the girls in "Do Not Deliver Us From Evil." Closer to a Mexican 1960's "Ghost World." So it's largely tame, but then throws in some elements that would really bother some people. I thought it was well worth a watch, but not for everyone.

Word of advice: if you're looking for a genuine horror film with decent scares and gore, don't expect any of those things in this movie. "Poison for the fairies" is not a horror movie, although it was advertised as one. It was directed by the well known Mexican horror director Carlos Enrique Taboada, which probably led to some misinterpretation when it came out. I would probably label this movie as an exceedingly captivating, charming and stylish adventure/family/dark-comedy with some mildly disturbing situations here and there. Other than that, I would never recommend this film to anyone who is in the mood for real horror. As a matter of fact, I think this movie is in reality suitable for all audiences, including children. The final scene is a little bit wicked, that's true, but the rest of the story is somehow childish and naive in a good way. Even though this film ended up being poles apart from what I was actually expecting, I must say that this film is charming and lovable in a way that I would have never imagined.

"Poison for the fairies", is some kind of wicked fairy tale about two little girls who become friends, despite the fact that there entirely unlike. Flavia is the nice, innocent girl who doesn't know anyone at school and has no friends. On the other hand, Veronica is a weird and yet sweet-looking blonde schoolgirl who happens to be fixated with witches and all kinds of sinister things. This fascination for witchcraft and her peculiar manners, earn her a very bad reputation among the other girls. Regardless, Veronica doesn't seem to care and she even claims to be a witch herself!. At first, Flavia doesn't trust her friend's menacing side, but eventually, she becomes a victim of Veronica's delusional reality and constant charades, until she finally ends up believing what is clearly a lie. In "Poison for the fairies", we see this amusing friendship that connects these two little girls and their deplorable attempts for black magic.

I honestly didn't think I was going to be so fascinated by a movie that didn't promise anything at all, to begin with. "Poison for the fairies" is a movie that reminded me of some of some Italian horror films, due to its artistic virtues and antique settings. "Poison for the fairies" is a very naïve adventure/family/horror fairy tale that shows a magical and dark world seen by an untrained and hopeless little girl who sees an alternative reality. The circumstances that Flavia and Veronica undergo to during the course of this film, are adorably entertaining. I'll never understand why "Poison for the fairies" is actually measured as a horror film by some people. The only scenes that may have a little share of horror, are the ones in which the figure of a creepy witch appears very quickly. Also, the final minutes are a little bit too dark and dramatic for a movie that didn't prepare the audience for something like that and it was the only thing I didn't enjoy that much. Other than that, this film is highly enjoyable, calm and enchanting. Be prepared to enjoy a dark comedy for children, with a very unexpected and powerful ending.

In the Dublin private school in Mexico, the wicked girl Verónica (Ana Patricia Rojo) is mocked by her classmates since she is a liar. She lives with her grandmother, since her parents died in a car crash, and her nanny raises her, telling fairytales to Verónica every day. When the wealthy and naive Flavia (Elsa María) joins the school, she befriends Verónica, who succeeds to convince her that she is a witch, forcing Flavia to help her and give gifts to her. When Flavia travels on vacation with her parents to the family farm, Verónica forces Flavia to invite her to travel with her. The envious Verónica forces Flavia to play witchcraft with her but something tragic happens.

"Veneno para las hadas", a.k.a. "Poison for the Fairies", is a psychological horror Mexican movie with a simple storyline. The result is a frightening movie, exploring Flavia's innocence. Carlos Enrique Taboada does not show any adult's face and the camera work is used on the level of Flavia and Verónica's eyes; therefore, the viewer watches the film as if they were children too in a great technique. The conclusion is also very dark. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Veneno para as Fadas" ("Poison for the Fairies")

I'm a fan of horror flicks, and I must say that "Veneno para las hadas" is the scariest film in 80's Mexican cinema. Horror films were very popular at that time, films such as "Friday the 13th", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", "Halloween" -and their sequels- followed the same plot, you know a boogyman killing everyone around, except a virgin heroine. "Veneno para las hadas" has a flawless direction, some false scares, and very good acting; this movie is for those who believe in witchcraft, devil, and in good horror. That's it, go and rent it!!!

POISON FOR THE FAIRIES is the story of young Veronica (Ana Patricia Rojo), an apparent witch, and her schoolmate, Flavia (Elsa Maria Gutierrez), who reluctantly tags along while Veronica gets up to her occult mischief. Whether Veronica has any true powers or not, she is undoubtedly a psychopath. Flavia is tormented, and kept in fear by her overbearing friend.

The bulk of the film is taken up by the two girls' quest to gather the ingredients for the titular toxin. However, there is a death, as well as some other creepy moments. Both actresses are believable in their roles.

One interesting aspect is that no adult faces are ever shown. They're only shown from the waist down, from behind, or in darkness.

Not a bad little movie, just don't expect any broomstick races or magic wand showdowns.

The ending is satisfying and fitting...