Shiver - L'Enfant des Ténèbres

A wonderful imaginative film that make me enjoy a lot whit a very good constructed story and a couple of greats actors(From the novel Blanca Suarez to the best actor academy winner Fransec Orella and especially the main character Junio Valverde). The art direction from Pilar Revuelta ( Oscar for "El labyrinth....) is solid and the music from Fernando Velazquez sounds like the classics.The light of JM Civit show us the continuous battle between the light and the darkness (or is in the other way). Isidro Ortiz plays with the mains topics of the genre to give us a complete new version of the genre films for this century where he don't need blood explosions o sound effects to keep us sitting in the chair.

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-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

SHIVER is the story of a young boy named Santi (Junio Valverde) and his mum (Mar Sodupe), who relocate to a small, rural village in northern Spain. The move is to take advantage of the dark canyons, due to Santi's medical condition.

Upon arrival, things begin to occur that eventually plunge mother and son into a nightmare of mystery, savagery, and death.

Young Valverde is quite believable in his misunderstood, lonely role. He's forced to face horrors that no one else believes in, and is suspected of the very crimes he's trying to solve.

There's a nice twist and a disturbing revelation. If you're hungry for terror and suspense, SHIVERS delivers...

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.