Perfectos desconocidos

"Perfectos Desconocidos", directed by Álex de la Iglesia, is an intriguing Spanish comedy-drama that explores the limits of privacy and intimacy in the digital age. The plot revolves around a group of friends who meet for a dinner and decide to play a dangerous game: share all the messages and calls they receive on their mobile phones. What begins as an innocent exercise soon turns into a revelation of dark secrets and betrayals between the characters.

The film's premise is witty and contemporary, addressing relevant themes about communication in the age of social media and the lack of privacy in an increasingly digitally connected world. Álex de la Iglesia manages to maintain a perfect balance between humor and drama, taking the viewer on an emotional journey as the characters face the consequences of revealing their deepest secrets.

The cast gives solid performances, highlighting the chemistry between the actors who play the friends, who go from laughter and camaraderie to tension and conflict as the story progresses. The film not only entertains, but also invites us to reflect on the authenticity of human relationships and the impact of technology on our lives.

Visually, the film makes the most of the dinner setting, creating an intimate, claustrophobic atmosphere that intensifies the drama and comedy of the situation. Álex de la Iglesia's direction stands out for its distinctive style and his ability to capture the dynamics between characters with a sharp and insightful sensitivity.

In conclusion, "Perfectos Desconocidos" is a film that not only entertains but also challenges the viewer to reflect on the importance of honesty and privacy in our personal relationships. With a clever plot, solid performances and skillful direction, this film is a standout example of contemporary Spanish cinema that is worth watching.

I didn't see the original but this movie is intense and twisted. Very good movie until just some minutes before final, but it wasn't easy give an exit for this mess.

On a warm summer evening and about an eclipse , a loving couple, a plastic surgeon (Eduard Fernández) and Eva (Belen Rueda) , a therapist is expecting his long-lasting friends to share a pleasant evening over dinner at their luxurious apartment . They have a 16-year-old daughter Sofía (Beatriz Olivares ) whose relationship with Eva is under strain . Everything is in order: the first course is ready, the roast is in the oven and the table is set. Without a doubt, this is going to be a gathering of true friends and the waiting comes to an end when the first couple arrives. The bell rings and it is Antonio (Ernesto Alterio in real life married to Juana Acosta) , Ana (Juana Acosta) , the newly-wed Eduardo (Eduardo Noriega) and Blanca (Dafne Fernández ) . And followed subsequently the only one missing who is Pepe (Pepón Nieto ) , their friend who is still single . Pepe doesn't bring his new girlfriend with him, which is to the discontent of the rest, since none of them have been met her yet, and there is always a reason behind. Before long, the group is complete and without any delay, they begin the feast. Surely, this is a nice but somewhat usual dinner, when suddenly someone makes a proposition : to place their mobile phones on the table and like a Russian roulette, whatever arrives (texts, WhatsApp messages, calls) they would share it with the others. Clearly, this uncommon truth or dare game has no point among friends who share everything with each other, nevertheless, when the phones start ringing, who will be the one with the sweatiest palms?





The story takes place in Madrid , present day , altogether restricted in one night , among seven tight-knitted friends, three couples and a recent divorcé , Pepe , during a dinner party hosted by Alfonso , magnificently played by Eduard Fernández , as a cosmetic surgeon , and his beloved wife , splendidly performed by Belén Rueda , and dealing with a twisted game , as whoever receives a phone-call, a message whether it is a text message will have to read or hear it . De la Iglesia's bewildering comedy ¨Perfectos desconocidos¨ blends intriguing elements with humor , tongue-in-cheek and thrills ; so, the tone of the film is light-hearted as well as stirring . The film starts at a slow pace, and it took a while to catch me , when it did it was fantastic . Very amusing and twisted film concerning about seven long-time friends get together for a dinner , then they decide to share with each other the content of every text message, email and phone call they receive, as many secrets start to unveil , the equilibrium trembles and things go wrong .The brilliant beginning idea is developed in a marvelous crescendo that turns into rapidly the situation from a nice dinner with old friends into a bloody battleground that reveals the surprising secrets . As well as the darkest secrets are disclosed to all of them and then awry consequences take place , some are cunningly revealed only to the eyes of spectators . A wonderful and talented plethora of actors, the mainstays of current Spanish cinema, implements a totally suspenseful melodrama interspersed with twists , turns , top-shelf comedic flair and naturalistic theatrics . It also contains a final twist in the screenplay that I will not reveal . It's well acted and smartly written.The movie is both funny and dramatic and so is the bitter-sweet ending .

It packs an adequate and moving musical score by Víctor Reyes . And a colorful and appropriate cinematography by Ángel Amorós . The motion picture was masterfully written (along with his usual screenwriter Jorge Guerricaechevarría) and directed by De La Iglesia , well known as the Spanish king of black comedy . He's a cool director has got much success as ¨Accion Mutante¨ ,¨Dying of laughter¨ or ¨Muertos De Risa¨ , ¨Baby's room¨ , ¨Oxford murders¨ , ¨Balada Triste De Una Trompeta¨ and ¨Perdita Durango¨ is probably the weirdest Javier Bardem film ever made . And , of course , ¨Day of the beast¨ and ¨La Comunidad¨ obtained the unanimous praise of both the critics and the public and result to be a lot of fun¨, especially for those who enjoy surrealist humor , they won several Goya prizes and and resulted to be a turning point in his meteoric career ; from then on he became his own producer, beginning with '800 bullets' (2002) through the Pánico Films company . Winner of several Goyas (Spanish Oscars), however his movies have not yet reached box office in USA, but he has strong followers , as his films have a kind of comic edge to them . Nonsense, ridicule , laughters , absurdity , disturbing scenes and many other issues ; you can find everything in this flick . ¨Perfectos desconocidos¨ captures the essence of the best Alex De La Iglesia, a filmmaker who, at this point in his own story, is respected and admired worldwide and has the most committed fans in the film universe . This is without a doubt an enjoyable movie to be enjoyed for comedy buffs and Alex De Iglesia fans .

I liked this film when I first watched it, only now I found out it's just a copy (almost line to line) from his Italian counterpart.

Seven lifelong friends meet for dinner, with the rule that all messages and phone calls they receive will be public to the rest of the table, revealing secrets that mess up their lives.

I was unaware of the fact that there are more than six films of different nationalities based on the original from 2016, I had already watched the 2018 French-Belgian version, which, opportunely, was very fun and charming, so much so that it started monotonous and boring, it gradually gained good contours in the As the secrets revealed, commas and so many secrets, a risky joke, a banal, even silly outcome, the message that remains is that the best secret is to keep them secret, well hidden...