El pacto

The mother of a girl in a coma with little chance of survival, makes the decision to enter into a high stakes pact in an attempt to save her daughter's life. This is the basic plot.

Let's start with the positives. This film has a polished look to it, simply meaning that it doesn't look like it was cheaply made. The story is decent and the actors did a great job in their roles.

The negatives. This script could've used some work. The terms of the pact are never really explained well and we never got a good indication as to who the sinister miracle worker is. I didn't really understand the spider aspect. I didn't understand why they were showing up or exactly what they were meant to signify. This was marketed as a horror film but it was more like a dark drama with some supernatural elements.

I didn't think this was an awful film but it could've been much better.

Despite the unanswered questions (like who the deal-maker really is or what's the power source behind him or what ultimately happened to the madre from the opening scene), the film held my attention, had great moments of suspense, and good acting from main characters.

This is slow burn supernatural thriller and that's not going to appeal to everyone.

That said, if you give this film a chance its actually quite interesting. The premise is not a new one but its presented in such a subtle understated manner, that the story avoids becoming an Faustian cliche.

There's a decent twist near the end I did not see coming either that ties into the emotional family dynamic in a way any parent can relate to.

7/10 from me.

This bizarre , scary film contains thriller , intense drama , mystery , plot twists and shocks , including decent scares with horrifying sequences especially in its ending segment , in a tense denouement . When Monica (Belén Rueda) finds out her daughter (Mireia Oriol) is about to die she takes extreme measures to save her. She carries out a pact and sells her soul to a weird ghoul in exchange for a life , but things go wrong . Monica signs the pact in her own blood but Evil always claims its debt.

This is a passable and acceptable film , full of thrills , suspense , chills , red herrings , creepy twists and turns . Step by step mystery starts to be unfold ; dealing with a mature woman , Belén Rueda and her separated husband , Dario Grandinetti , both of whom face off bizarre happenings , including grisly killings , resurrection from a deadly coma and fantastic appearance by a creepy spider , among others . It packs twisted mysteries , intrigue , emotion and suspenseful events ; these various elements are mingled in an intelligent and balanced style . This is a highly mysterious and cerebral drama , compellingly shot, as well as a supernatural thriller , filled with twists and turns , including an unexpected conclusion in its final part . From start to finish the complicated intrigue , fast-paced , thrills , and suspense result to be continuous . The original as well entertaining premise is overspread across the movie adding some brief conventional pitfalls . Resulting to be an adequate and decent movie , but inferior than other Belén Rueda's mysterious films . Belén is an actress expert on mystery and horror films , such as : Julia's eyes , The orphanage , No dormirás , Durante la tormenta , Orbita 9 , and The body . This is a haunted movie that contains restless horror and sinister atmosphere when the threatening being shows up . Supernatural thriller being filled with scary deeds , thrills , chills and lots of scares ; however , some confusing and inexplicable , the reason for the terms of the covenant are never really explained . Suspense and the tense moments are continued and appear lurking and menacing into dining room , hallway , and rooms . It's recreated with high grade plethora special effects 3D , which are frightening and horrifying the spectator , particularly the spontaneous appearance of a terrible spider . Some reviewers consider the film as a horror movie , but it not has enough terror as expected ; being more like a supernatural drama with some frightening ingredients .

It contains an eerie and intriguing musical score by Miquel Coll, creating a spooky environment . As well as dark and atmospheric cinematography by Elias M. Felix . This slow-burn drama with mystery/supernatural events was professionally directed by David Victory . However , It won Yoga Awards 2019 , Winner Yoga Award Worst Spanish Film . David Victori is a young filmmaker who was World Winner of the YouTube's Film Festival . He was selected by Variety and ScreenDaily as one of the directors to watch in the coming years. Represented by CAA. Writer of the Spanish Films "Second Origin" (2015) and " Son of Cain" (2013). Director and Writer of award-winning short films worldwide, including "Reaction" (2008) "The Guilt" (2010) , Zero" (2015) produced by Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender and director of a PrimeTime .TV Show "Flatline" (2017).

The first part is interesting but towards the end is more like a supernatural Drama, Thriller that does not have that amount of Horror as expected. Belén Rueda did a really good work here, the rest of the cast too. Of the aforementioned I liked more No dormirás (2018).