Fenómenas

I've watched a few Spanish films in the past couple of years and this is as good as any of them. Set in Madrid in 1998 where it seems to rain all the time, it's about three paranormal investigators and a sinister case they get entwined in. The three ladies are Gloria, Sagrario and Paz. All three are played very well by Toni Acosta, Belen Rueda and Gracia Olayo. In tone it reminded me a bit of 7 Women and a Murder, another Netflix film, this time an Italian one. Of the three leads it's Olayo as Paz that stands out for me as she's the more comedic character.

This film is very enjoyable and is light hearted but also has it's creepier moments.

This movie starts out brilliantly presenting the 3 main characters. Amazing acting by all 3 of them, the comedy element was very much appreciated but faded completely during the last part of the movie. The ending was a bit too serious and felt rushed. Overall very fun to watch, ideal for a family movie night we really enjoyed it and the acting was top-notch. On the horror front it does not innovate and cannot compete with the best Spanish horror movies like The Orphanage. Don't watch it if you want jump scares, a well developed atmosphere or simply to get scared. Would have been an 8 if it didn't take itself too seriously.

I really enjoyed this film.

Based on the true story of the Hepta Group- a group of paranormal investigators/ghostbusters from Spain, consisting of a priest; three witches, including a television personality, a technician, and psychic; as well as a young skeptic (who possesses some unknown powers of his own)- the film is constructed as The Entity meets Evil Dead.

The plot revolves around an investigation that follows the unexplained death of their leader, Father Pilon.

Who suffered a stroke- which he would later succumb to- during a case at the newly acquired venue of a couple of antique dealers, who have been experiencing a series of paranormal phenomena.

Leading them to seek answers from the expertise of the Hepta Group members.

To honour his memory, the women pick up where he left off.

A task which would inevitably pit them against a particularly dark, and powerful, spiritual force.

Whom they may have butted heads with in the past.

In their most memorable unsolved case...at Vergara Palace.

(Note: While there is a Vergara Palace in Chile, I can't find evidence for a similarly named structure in Spain...unless it is the Valencian palace, featuring the gothic art of sculptor Ignacio Vergara.)

Which makes this one case that won't exactly be as straight forward as it seems.

Great acting. Some nice cult-style cinematography. An awesome story. And a crazy intense ending...make for one highly entertaining experience.

Do yourself a favour, and don't pass this one up.

Because it is one of the best horror films of the year.

8 out of 10.

Here's The 4K Lowedown on "Phenomena" (TV-MA - 2023 - Netflix) Genre: Horror/Paranormal

My Score: 6.6 Cast=4 Acting=5 Plot=5 Ending=9 Story=9 Scare=5 Jump=7 F/X=6 Creep=6 Twist=10

Three middle-aged women who investigate paranormal events are put to the test when their leader disappears.

"When you're investigating paranormal phenomena, you first rule out normal phenomena." This started out really bad...it was like watching grass grow for the first half of the film. The second half is much better...with a twist that fees like an ending. All of a sudden, the movie goes in a much more dangerous direction and the true ending made the movie for me. This movie about the Hepta Group ended up to be a pretty good watch.

This is better than any Hollywood horror out there now. It was fun and engaging and spooky. The cast of three older characters was a breath of fresh air in a industry thrusting young actors and actress onto the screen. I would.live to see a series of films following these three. It had it's faults but overall it's a fun spooky film.. where amazingly it an actual ghost at the end for a change. Like I stated the atmosphere created and way TS made to feel spooky with a background of dread surpasses any other horror film made in the last 5 years. And the odd chuckle added to make it really enjoyable.