La muerte ronda a Mónica

In a movie that's less than ninety minutes long, a somewhat unfortunate portion of the length is devoted wholly to introducing the many characters that play a part in the story. All the while, the movie is filled with a frank overabundance of dialogue - up until the 40 minute mark, hardly a second goes by that isn't defined by conversation between characters. Thankfully, though the script continues to be overbearing, thereafter the narrative begins in earnest, with ill-doings and mounting intrigue. 'La muerte ronda a Monica,' or 'Death haunts Monica,' isn't the most captivating thriller in the world, but it's duly entertaining all the same.

Poor Monica is little more than a pawn as those around her make plays for money and power. Why, to some extent the film reminds of a Lifetime original movie - the hapless housewife, a web of lies and deceit, a growing body count. I think the editing and sequencing leaves a bit to be desired, as the resulting picture bears a certain unfortunate inelegance in its presentation. Adolfo Waitzman's score is a bit curious, bearing instrumentation and chords that seem strikingly different from similar features, but ultimately it's quite suitable. Overemphasis on dialogue aside, there's nothing particularly remarkable about the screenplay, yet Juan José Alonso Millán's writing is deft enough to keep us guessing until the very end how it's all going to play out. That so much of the plot is left to be revealed at the climax is a little off-putting, and the curtness of the ending no less so. Yet otherwise the movie is sufficiently sound to allay such consternation.

While the plot is a bit intricate, the character writing generally is not, and for the most part the cast fill roles that feel as though they're pretty well predefined. That's not to say that anyone performs poorly; on the contrary, I think everyone illustrates able skill to bring their characters to life. Still, only the title figure is conjured with an especial measure of complexity, and star Nadiuska demonstrates fine range and physicality in realizing the beleaguered woman.

There's not much more to be said. It's rough around the edges, and imperfect, but this is enjoyable enough. There are certainly more worthy thrillers out there, but if you happen to come across 'La muerte ronda a Monica,' it's not a bad way to spend eighty minutes.

Most enjoyable, Spanish giallo type mystery thriller starring the very fine Jean Sorel, just a shame the Spanish dub removes his voice and that someone decided he should have dark hair. Maybe light hair was too effeminate on men at this time as the Spanish rushed out from under the fallen censorship of dead Franco. Certainly the ladies take every opportunity to pepper the proceedings with regular showers and changes of clothes. And despite all this I enjoyed it! Seriously, this is well worth seeking out, it runs less than 90 minutes and races along from start to finish barely allowing time for the subtitles to appear or the next character to speak. During this fascinating tale with at least two plot lines. Absolutely never a dull moment and although this is more psychological than gory, there are still plenty of killings to keep one guessing. Nadiuska is also worth a mention as the lovely and wealthy wife of Sorel who tends to glide about beautifully in the early stages and then go berserk towards the end. Really good fun.

The marriage between Federico and Monica is on the rocks.Federico has a mistress named Eva.There is a conspiracy between Monica's friend Elena and Eva to take over the company Eurozone owned by Federico.Elena and Eva are in a lesbian relationship.The situation becomes complicating when Diego appears,a former associate of Federico and a criminal...Very enjoyable Spanish giallo obviously influenced by legendary French classic "Diabolique".There is plenty of sleaze and full-frontal nudity including lesbian scene between Karin Schubert and Barbara Rey.Nadisuka is exceptionally beautiful and she shows her naked flesh too.A must-see for any self-respecting giallo completist.7 out of 10.

This is a Spanish psychological thriller with some giallo elements. It's about a woman in the midst of a dangerous situation involving her unfaithful husband, his mistress, her girlfriend and a shady criminal newly released from prison. Secrets from the past infiltrate the present and people start turning up dead. As is often the way with gialli, it has a somewhat convoluted story with various rich jet setting characters doing various unpleasant things to each other. It has shades of Les Diaboliques and it stars giallo regular Jean Sorel. Needless to say, I liked it!

This outrageous Spanish thriller was distributed in the US as Death Haunts Mónica--an apt enough title until one realizes how much else is haunting the poor girl. Murder, mayhem, kinky Sapphic encounters, and risqué bathing behavior are just a few of the elements in Ramon Fernandez's off-the-wall Giallo.

It features no fewer than three European beauties: Nadiuska, Bárbara Rey, and Karin Schubert. All three are on full display for a significant part of the film. They are accompanied by several others who present brief glimpses.

The principal male, Monica's (Nadiuska) husband, is French actor Jean Sorel. I remember him in front of a firing squad in the original Day of the Jackal. Of course, Monica may be putting him in front of a firing squad if he doesn't leave his mistress (Bárbara Rey).

Elena (Karin Schubert) is plotting to steal the company, and stirring things up with Monica and her husband. But, things get twisted and you don't know who is fooling whom.