A Casa do Fim dos Tempos

It might seem like it and technically you'd be correct if you call this another haunted house. But that would be just looking on the outside. I'd invite you to get into the house (yes it doesn't seem to be the brightest idea, but wait for it)! Actually the movie has a lot of heart, even when you think it is about to go horribly wrong.

You could also argue, that it all makes sense (in the end). More or less that is. Another factor are the actors. The story twists are one thing (also very nicely timed), but what really helps elevate this besides the clever script are the actors. There are even moments where you might feel a certain sadness and a Deja Vu towards the end third of the movie, that is just amazing. Try to stay open minded. My first/initial reaction wasn't a good one either, but as the movie moved along, I started to see things and it won me over

I read on the forum that the reviews for this film are suspiciously alike and might even come from the same source close to the production. So, I'm here to tell you that doesn't really matter, because the movie is good and it is very much worth watching.

I went into it completely unarmed. The only thing I knew was the title and the fact that they spoke Spanish. The genre hit me on the head pretty much off the bat and I was happy with it. (Films from Spanish spoken countries have a good tradition in that respect.) I strapped in for the ride and boy was it a thrilling one! I found the movie to be refreshingly good. Not wanting to give away anything (I wish everyone the experience I had), I'll just say that for me it was the engrossing story and the flawless direction that did it. I was completely sucked into the narrative, but as usual I thought I had it all figured out pretty early on. And then I was forced to piece together a new explanation basically every 10 minutes. Which was in itself awesome. Looking back I now see they had me right where they wanted me all the way through the film and right until the very end, hit every cue, killed every mark.

As mentioned, the directing is perfection. (Which means I am now very eager to see more from this Mr. Alejandro Hidalgo!) It's hard to avoid the cliché moves, once within the confines of the specific genre and we've all got pretty much desensitized to those ever-repeating scenes. Well, prepare to change your mind! This will make you see that, if done by a skilled hand, they have not lost their power at all. In fact they work better than ever...

The acting was good too. I especially liked the mother (Ruddy Rodríguez) and the children. There were some scenes where I found it to be a bit telenovela-ish (over the top) - mostly scenes involving the Priest -, but, to be fair, I am very prejudice in that respect.

So, to sum up - and not say anything at all - I enjoyed this movie very much and I highly recommend it. I also strongly recommend finding out why on your own - you'll be grateful for the gift!

Terrible things happen in Dulce's house in 1981; such terrible things that she has been in prison ever since. In 2011, now an old woman, Dulce is the beneficiary of a boon from the Venezuelan government - she is allowed to leave the prison, but she must remain on house arrest (complete with armed guards outside 24/7), in the very house where those terrible events occurred. And now it seems that they are about to occur again, and again, and again....

I don't want to say much at all about this film because its power comes from its unexpected twists and turns and things we, the audience, never saw coming. I don't like scary movies much because, well, I don't like being scared - and this one definitely scared me, there were at least half a dozen times when I jumped in my seat (and perhaps screamed a little)! But I ended up really loving this film, in part because of the way it unfolds and in part because of the very fine acting, by Ruddy Rodriguez as Dolce especially, but also including Gonzalo Cubero as her husband Juan Jose, Rosmel Bustamente as her son Leo and (the very handsome) Hector Mercado as the local priest. My only quibble has to do with the fact that all the rooms in the house are always kept locked, whether family members are in them or not; I didn't quite understand that. But if you're looking for a very classy "supernatural thriller," you wouldn't go wrong by choosing to search this one out; truly excellent!

Okay, I'm no part Venezuelan.

It's a good film. American audiences, take it for what it is, a low budget film from a small film industry. Yes, it has weakpoints, but also strengths.

Pros: innovative plot twists, well filmed. Cons: Slow starter, overdramatizing music gives away some surprises, a few connections are contrived. Overall: A good twist on a psychological pensive ghost story.

Who might like this? It's a little old school, like Gaslight, with some of the Spanish style, like Del Toro's Devil's Backbone. A touch of The Others, not as polished, but if you like those films, and are looking for something else, this would be a good one to watch.

ps.

To reviewers & commenters : Don't knock countries. Americans love European & Mexican movies. We're not latinophobes. Key? Subtlety. It's much more powerful if a twist happens and we almost miss it, and then wham, it's there. Just like some day noticing "oh, huh, they're from Venezuela."

This needed saying because of the number of comments on the topic comments and reviews. I know funding is hard to come by for major projects in Venezuela, so kudos, keep it up. I look forward to future results.

Well, I am going to start by saying that I'm Venezuelan and I usually hate venezuelan movies, they are too violent and pointless and I refused to waste my time with those kinds of films. "La Casa del fin de los tiempos" is just amazing, it's a well made thriller with a pinch of horror, but the story is just awesome. The cast is one of the best you can find in the country but the story.. oh the story. It starts with a lot of "action" and you might assume it's just a regular horror movie but while the minutes go by you realize that not everything is what it seems to be. The only negative aspect would be in my opinion the make up but Rudy Rodriguez's performance makes you forget about it. I am proud of this film and I am glad I gave venezuelan movies another chance.