La Señora Haidi (2017) is a psychological thriller that, despite its intriguing premise, fails to deliver a truly captivating experience. The story follows two young people, played by Guillermo Pfening and María Abadi, who suffer an accident and seek refuge in the home of an elderly woman, Mrs. Haidi (María Leal). While Mrs. Haidi initially appears to be a kind and welcoming figure, her dark and disturbing side quickly emerges. However, rather than exploring the tension of this twist, the film fizzles out.
One of the most notable issues is the script. The dialogues feel forced and unnatural, which severely impacts the development of characters and relationships. Halfway through the film, any attempt at plot development unravels, and the characters, rather than evolving, are left aimlessly running around without clear direction. This causes the film to lose coherence, turning into a series of disjointed scenes without a defined purpose.
The character of Mrs. Haidi, portrayed by María Leal, is a prime example of how the potential depth of a character can be squandered. Instead of delving into her complexity, she becomes a caricature of the religious fanatic villain, a stereotype that adds nothing new to the genre. This lack of development strips the character of the ability to be truly frightening or even interesting. From the start, it's easy to predict how the story will unfold and, ultimately, its conclusion, leaving little room for surprise.
As for the horror scenes, their execution is clumsy and devoid of tension. Techniques like subjective camera work are overused and sloppy, diminishing the effectiveness of moments that should evoke fear. Moreover, the film is riddled with inconsistencies, from continuity errors to details that aren't properly explained, leaving the viewer more confused than immersed in the plot.
Ultimately, the film's potentially interesting premise is overshadowed by weak dialogue, flat characters, and poor execution.
