Sobrenatural

During the last half of the 90s, Mexican cinema had a resurgence that has kept constant through these days. Movies like "Cilantro y Perejil", "Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas" and "Todo el Poder" were only the beginning of this modernization in which the Mexican cinema basically resurrected from the underground state it had been living even in its homeland. "Sobrenatural" was one of the first "new Mexican cinema" films to come out, but what makes it stand out even among other Mexican movies, is the fact that it is the only horror movie of that generation.

"Sobrenatural" is the story of Dolores Berthier (Susana Zabaleta), a young woman that is emotionally affected after witnessing how her best friend is killed at her apartment's doorstep. Her husband Andres (Alejandro Tommasi), afraid of the violent city, prefers that Dolores stay in the apartment as she recovers from her emotional breakdown. But the greatest danger is not outside, but inside, where Dolores begins to experience what seems to be a series of supernatural events apparently linked to her friend's death. Is this witchcraft or is she only delusional?

Directed by Daniel Gruener, "Sobrenatural" is a story of paranoia, isolation and confusion set in an apartment in the same style of Polanski's Apartment Trilogy ("Repulsion", "Le Locataire" and "Rosemary's Baby"); the film is filled with many references to Polanski's work and in fact the English name of the film is "All of Them Witches", a clear reference to "Rosemary's Baby". Gruener crafts a movie that pays true homage to its influences without being too much of a rip off and keeping a distinctive style.

The story, by Gabriel González Meléndez, uses effectively the suspense and mystery, focusing on Dolores' own fears, paranoia and disbelief; even when the story drags a bit, it is never a problem and doesn't become tedious or boring. Elements such as the fear to the outside world and the fight between science and spiritualism are also among the themes explored and while at times the film feels rushed, it moves at the right slow pace for the most part. Gruener's camera-work enhances the atmospheric tone of the film relaying more on mood and dread than in graphic gore or sudden scares.

Susana Zabaleta gives an inspired performance and carries the movie with grace and power. Most of the success of the film relays on her and she succeeds as Dolores, a woman who is discovering a world bigger than what she thought. Tomassi is less convincing, and is probably the weakest link in the cast. Ricardo Blume as Dolores' psychiatrist and Delia Casanova as Madame Endor are very good in their parts and a small but effective cameo by the legendary Roberto Cobo completes a, for the most part, well assembled cast.

Gruener's horror film is not without flaws, as at times the pacing feels too rushed for the kind of film he tries to achieve. The script has some problems although for the most part it is very well developed. The film had some changes done by the studio that produced it, so one can't be sure if this is exactly what Gruener desired; however, the result is quite good and certainly better than the average horror film.

"Sobrenatural" may not be a perfect film, but it is a different option for those wanting to discover modern horror films that don't relay on typical themes. Polanski's fans will appreciate the film's many references to his work and horror fans interested in foreign cinema may find it refreshing as it is an atypical and very well done Mexican horror film. 7/10

Another study in the dreadfulness of closeted urban living, the gnawing fear of what threat lurks on the landing outside the door, up the next bend of the stairs, or, oh my God, inside, this is in direct line of succession from The Seventh Victim, Rosemary's Baby, Sleepwalk, Nomads, Blue, and so on. The character hides inside, runs outside, trusts and distrusts. The first scene, which sets her off, is one of the simplest frightening scenes, or most frightening simple scenes, I can remember. The performance of the distraught and helpless heroine teeters on the edge of absurdity all the way through, but the two characters she is torn between--which should she trust? which is the threat?--are so ambiguously sinister (the fortune teller is especially well played), one understands her erratic behavior; I'd be in a state myself. The movie is modestly scaled but well sustained, with a reasonably satisfying conclusion to boot. Nice job.

I never saw this movie with English subtitles, and my Spanish is not the best, but Telemundo ran this on Halloween a few years ago and I taped it. I would put this film in the very top tier of horror films, as gripping as Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" and Romero's "Night of the Living Dead". Director Gruener gets to the real root of the horrific; that horror is not some lunatic standing outside your door with an axe, per se, but a human reaction to trauma and isolation. He emphasises this idea by frequently contrasting the wealth of the young couple at the center of the action with the poverty, misery and superstition found in any Third World country. As the young woman decends to the verge of insanity, she finds herself more and more in contact with this gutteral, almost bestial world that all their luxury cannot protect her from. The shattered fishbowl of the opening scene is used as a metaphor(I think) for the narrow margin between these two worlds; wealth and poverty,the beautiful (Suzane Zamora is an eyeful!) and the grotesque; the sane and the mad. A great film, thoughtfully and sensitively presented!

A woman begins receiving strange visions after opening a letter containing a mystical powder, and soon thereafter finds it's connected to a voodoo curse and must be stopped before it harms her and her friends.

This one wasn't really all that spectacular and turned out to be quite disappointing. Most of this is because it really doesn't do anything at all and spends a great deal of time not doing much of anything. While the concept of having bizarre visions may be horrific to those experiencing them, on film they play out so ordinarily and boring that the film appears to be so slow as to be utterly lifeless and uninteresting. Eventually it does get better towards the end when the zombified owner does get around to making an appearance and that leads to some fun in the apartment showdown being chased around by such a creepy and visually imposing presence, and the atmosphere does give off a nice suspenseful vibe, yet the fact remains that this one is just so dull and lifeless that this one really doesn't have a lot to recommend about it.

Rated R: Violence and Graphic Language

excellent film making. Very effective interweaving of psychological and supernatural effects that keep you wondering about what is really going on. Very strong, intelligent visual style. Only the very best quality films, like this one, can keep you engrossed through long sequences with no dialogue with only the power of images, thrilling you without any gore whatsoever. none. the subjective camera angles produce such a feeling of terror and uncertainty, you don't need any gore. The main actress gives a great performance. I would rank this up with Cronos, but Cronos is more unique, "fantastical" and bloodier. But the same level of excellent film making.