Shiver - Die düsteren Schatten der Angst

After Santi (Junio Valverde, 'The Devil's Backbone') is warned by his doctors of his worsening allergy to sunlight, he and his mother move to a remote town in a sunless valley. Soon after they arrive, strange events occur around the village. First, a farmer's sheep is viciously mutilated and left for dead. Then, the town bully is brutally murdered. As the horrific incidents continue, it becomes clear that the one responsible for the murders wants Santi next.

The past few years have brought many nations into the center ring of the horror genre. One of these recent powerhouses is Spain. With such instant classics as 'The Orphanage,' 'Rec,' and 'Pan's Labyrinth' (questionably horror, still, but impossible to not mention), Spain has aided in giving some much-needed relief from the seemingly unending stretch of Hollywood unoriginality. In late 2008, Spain released the rarely mention (stateside, at least) film entitled 'Eskalofrí' or 'Shiver.' Combining the direction of Isidro Ortiz ('Faust 5.0'), cinematography of Josep M. Civit ('Guerreros'), and the production design of Pilar Revuelta ('Pan's Labyrinth'), 'Shiver' is presented as a strikingly attractive film with some extremely beautiful and well captured settings. However, it's not all about the visuals here. A strong script by a relatively fresh group of writers is very substantial and fulfilling. The cast, of which I am mostly unfamiliar, easily manages to capture all their roles. On the other hand, I suppose there are a few problems. First the script could be a BIT juvenile at times playing off, as one reviewer said, like a darker episode of 'Buffy.' Also, I must note that the editing was not the best. Perhaps one more (or, in some instances, one less) run through the cutting room would've made for a better film as there were a few times where some great tension was ruined when the build-up was left with no reward in a too-quick cutaway. Regardless, even with the few flaws, 'Eskalofrío' remains as a very solid and genuinely creepy modern horror that satisfies the necessary style & substance of a true quality film.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10.

-AP3-

Mystery , terror , intrigue about a teen with a serious physical reaction to sunlight and seeking clues about strange killings . Spanish horror film full of thrills , suspense , chills and eerie twists and turns . A young high-school student called Santi (Valverde) has a disease which makes him sensitive to the light , he suffers from a photosensitivity disease , running through the city as the dawn chases him . He is forced by his health to move with his single mother (Mar Sodupe) to a shadowy , isolated village in the mountains of Spain . As Santi moves to a far-off village lost in the mountains with his mother where the inhabitants begin to reveal themselves as strangely xenophobic . Then Santi befriends a beautiful young student called Angela (a gorgeous newcomer Blanca Suarez) , though he also makes enemies . But horrible , violent deeds begin to occur . There then appears a killer committing a criminal spree , as the murderer is hunting them all down . When , the lonely adolescent becomes first a pariah at school and then strongly suspected by the police (Roberto Enriquez) of hideous murders . A series of odd events will shock the place and he will become the main suspect .The only way to prove his innocence will be disclosing the terrible secret the wood hides .

This exciting , bizarre film contains tension , thriller drama , mystery , plot twists and shocks , including decent scares with tense terror sequences especially in its final part , in a creepy denouement . ¨Eskalofrio¨ or ¨Shiver¨ suffers from some sputtering about a quarter of the way in , the sputtering came from a complete change in story direction, away from the spectacular beginning and toward a much simpler story line , one which suffers from a severe lack of ingenuity . Interesting screenplay by Hernán Migoya and the same director revolving the mental disintegration of an adolescent and the various amazing surprises he finds . The motion picture is pretty well , although sometimes slow moving and packs turns ; however is entertaining for continuous suspense and unsettling atmosphere . The picture is thrilling and some moment brilliant, and the players are quite reliable . Ghastly movie builds taut by showing virtually well staged killings , evocative settings , appropriate soundtrack and adequate cinematography . Few disagree that the film is professionally mounted, the performances solid, and that it respectfully carries on the tradition of Spanish "horror" films like The Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage , borrowing—in fact—teenage actor Junio Valverde from Backbone, Labyrinth's Oscar-winning set designer Pilar Revuelta, and The Orphanage's composer Fernando Velázquez to firm up its genre pedigree . Colorful cinematography by Josep M. Civit showing splendidly mountains , woods and villages from Picos De Europa , Ponga, Asturias , Elizonda , Erratzux, Navarra, Spain . Josep M Civit is one of the best Spanish cameramen as he has demonstrated in "The Hidden Face" , ¨Shiver¨, ¨Warriors¨ , ¨The Absent" , ¨Asphalt¨ , ¨Anguish¨ and many others . Exciting as well as frightening musical score by Fernando Velazquez who has composed for successful terror films as ¨The orphanage¨ , ¨For the God of others¨ , ¨Devil¨ , ¨Julia's eyes¨ and ¨Mama¨ .

This motion picture displaying genuine chills , suspense, mystery and dark atmosphere and a twisted finale , being skillfully proceeded by Isidro Ortiz and turned out to one of the most unusual Spanish thrilling movies of the 2.000s and certainly one of the most unsettling . Ortiz is a good director and writer, known for Fausto 5.0 (2001) , Jugar a Matar (2003) , Somne (2005) , Asesino de Parking (2006) and especially this Eskalofrío (2008) , his most successful film . Shiver or Eskalofrio premiered in the Panorama section of 2008 year's Berlinale to tepid critical response.

This is an excellent Spanish horror thriller which follows closely in production both The Orphanage and Pans Labrynth and there is also a touch of 'Orphan' about it with the 'wild child' theme.

The fact that Santi has a suffering of his own with the skin disease and that Santi quite possibly sleeps in the bedroom that would have been Erikas when she lived at the house with her German parents suggests that she felt a sympathy for him. His suffering is apparent from the opening scene and I think paramount to the film itself; many of the key events happen at night, there is a lot fine attention to detail on this issue.

The story is acceptable enough with the Mother working as a translator and opting to take Santi with her to a northerly point in Spain (on medical advice) where Santi will have the effect of the sun least.

The 'Gecko' has its role to play in its relation with Santi and in his relation (call it that) to the wild child who saves him at the end.

the very final scene is baffling to all and myself included and I have watched it through on many occasions. The rock in the hand and the gecko have some relevance (and who comes into the room?) but it shouldn't detract fromt he entertainment value of a very fine film.

Think I would have preferred it in original Spanish language and not dubbed over with American accents, so unnecessary, I would have been content with English subtitles, as in many foreign language movies.

Nothing vampiresque about this movie despite the blood-letting by the wild child but Twilight comes slightly to mind in the flirtatiousness between Santi and the Policemans Daughter.

SHIVER is of course the English title to the movie. definiely a movie for DVD and to wonder about almost every scene. A horror film which really makes you think, it is intelligent slick worth watching without a doubt!

Santiago is cursed with photophobia, an intense allergy to light, especially sunlight. To help him adjust to life, he and his mother move to the northernmost part of the country away from the sun. Unfortunately, being the new and weird kid doesn't pay off when murders pop up around Santi and he appears a prime suspect.

I hadn't heard of "Shiver" prior to receiving my review copy, so I wasn't sure what to expect. As of late, the European films have overshadowed the American ones in quality (particularly the Swedish of all origins). And the people behind "Shiver" were quick to point out its connections to the much better known and more widely advertised Spanish films "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The Orphanage". It's a fair connection, albeit a bit of a stretch.

"Shiver" is by no means on par with "The Orphanage" and neither is in the Oscar league with "Pan's Labyrinth"... but the cinematography here is crisp, and the characters rich and alluring. This is not just some simple throwaway plot and production. If ever there was a labor of love, I think it's to be found in "Shiver".

The weakness of the film is due to its strength. The first half of the film builds up the case for Santi's involvement in mysterious murders and hints at supernatural elements -- parallels with vampires and werewolves. It is beautifully crafted, but this falls sharply once the plot turns and the real story becomes more evident. Unlike many films, the "twist" comes far too early and leaves little suspense for the second and third act. Even Santi's aversion to the sun, a unique aspect of this film, barely comes into play. Its removal would have affected the story only minimally.

Without giving anything away, I want you to see this picture. As I type, "Quarantine" and "Saw V" are rocking the theaters... but the real gem is "Shiver", available on DVD. Screw Hollywood and give Spain a chance if you haven't already. You'll be hard-pressed to find another film this year with such good sense of camera use and the proper story to tell with it.

Mystery-drama to be exact. This combination will obviously not appeal to everyone. But then again the success of Twilight might suggest otherwise. Though I haven't watched Twilight yet, I think I can tell, that those movies steer in the same vain. The American movie being glossier of course. I can't say though, if "Shiver" is based on any novel or something like that.

What I can say, is that the mystery horror works quite well. I was quite impressed by the acting chops the kids showed/displayed. They were cast perfectly. There are quite a few things that did bother me (pacing issues, some plot problems and the usual cliché here and there). Still worth a watch, if there is nothing else to do and you like those kind(s) of movies