De chair et d'os

Inspector Amaia Salazar (Marta Etura) returns to the Baztán's valley after her pregnant for a new case. And this time even the most beloved for her will not be safe. In this second episode Inspector Amaia Salazar confronts the origins of her nightmares as she unfolds the darkest secrets of the Baztan valley. It is set in Pamplona (autonomous community of Navarra's capital; north to Spain). One year later of Basajaun's crimes, a nine-months pregnant Inspector Amaia Salazar is on the courthouse waiting for the trial to a man accused to rape, mangling and murder her stepdaughter . But just before of the trial, he is found on the court's bathroom after commit suicide hacking his veins, leaving a little note in a pocket of his jeans with just one word written : "Tarttalo". It causes that Amaia's breaks waters to birth his son Ibai, making happy her and to sculptor and artist gallery James Westford (Benn Northover) , Amaia's husband . Reinstated to the active service four months later , the sudden appearance of bones a baby in Elizondo is really suspicious and the analysis of the forensic examiner (Paco Tous) leads Amaia to investigate other deaths of similar origin that will lead the inspector to the ending resolution of the events that have devastated the Baztán valley. As Amaia is called by her superior Fermín Montes (Pedro Casablanc) to investigate two complex cases : the series of grisly killings happening surround , and while Padre Sarasola (Imanol Arias) requests Amaia determines about the profanation of a little church where it was left a baby's amputated arm on the altar . Along the way, Amaia feels that she is not free from danger.

This is a top-notch thriller in which step by step mystery and suspense start to be unfold . Dealing with a young Police Inspector faces off difficult cases of murders , while she becomes involved with the ghosts of her past . It packs twisted mysteries , emotion , thrills , action and suspense . This is a highly mysterious and cerebral thriller , filled with plot twists , including an unexpected denouement in its ending part and adding a spectacular flood in the little town . From start to finish the complicated intrigue , well-paced , thrills , and suspenseful result to be continuous . A psychological thriller , being surprisingly good and compellingly shot . Complementing with ancient traditions on a dark as well as rainy land with plenty of supertitions , witchery and fantastic beings as The Tarttalo , a mythological giant creature anti-Catholic that mutilates his victims . And regarding what may be the most blood-soaked book in human history: ¨The Malleus Malleficarum¨, the witches' hammer , it is instructed the clergy on how to locate , torture and kill all freethinking women , during witch-hunt . It belongs to the successful trilogy based on the novels written by Dolores Redondo, with the respective cinematic adaptations formed by ¨El guardián invisible¨ (2017), ¨Legado en los huesos¨(2019) and ¨Ofrenda a la Tormenta¨ (2020) . The original as well entertaining premise is overspread across the movie adding some brief conventional pitfalls . Including mythological and fantasy elements , as the serial killers laced with an enormous , hairy hominid dwelling in the woods . The picture is pretty well , though sometimes confusing as well as overlong and it has a lot of turns . However , being very entertaining for its successive suspense and intrigue enough . Stars Marta Etrura who gives a fine acting as the stubborn Inspector , being well accompanied by a good cast with full of Spanish familiar faces , such as : Nene , Leonardo Sbaraglia , Francesc Orella, Imanol Arias , Itziar Aizpuru, Patricia López Arnaiz , Ana Wagener , Pedro Casablanc, Paco Tous , Elvira Minguez , Manolo Solo , Elvira Mínguez ,Miquel Fernández , Susi Sánchez , Marta Larralde, Álvaro Cervantes, Manolo Solo , among others .

This mystery murder was stunningly produced by various prestigious producers : Sofía Fábregas , Mercedes Gamero , Adrián Guerra , Mikel Lejarza, Garikoitz Martinez , Peter Nadermann, Simon Ofenloch , Rosa Pérez , Núria Valls , Thomas Distch , all of them have financed a great number of hits in the recent Spanish cinema . This over-the-top thriller displays a colorful and luxurious cinematography full of lights and shades by cameraman Xavi Giménez . Being shot on location in Valley of Baztan , Navarra . And stirring and emotive score , plenty of emotion and intriguing sounds by Fernando Velázquez . Interesting and nail-biting screenplay by Luiso Berdejo based on the the second eponymous novel written by Dolores Redondo , "Legado en los huesos". This recent film by Spanish writer/director Fernando González Molina was well and professionally directed .This Spanish filmmaker Fernando González Molina has made various box-office films , being his first big hit : ¨Tres metros sobre el cielo¨ (2010). And he also made the sequel : ¨Tengo Ganas De Ti¨ (2012) , in which ¨H¨ Mario Casas falls for a gorgeous dancer called Gin , Clara Lago , but he discovers again his first great love : Maria Valverde . He went on directing successes as the $13.5 million period drama "Palm Trees in the Snow" also with Mario Casas and a thriller , ¨El Guardian Invisible¨ , followed by ¨Legado en los huesos¨and the recently premeired , ¨Ofrenda a la Tormenta¨ (2020) , the second sequel with Marta Etura again . And he has made several TV series as ¨Luna , Misterio De Calenda¨ , ¨Bienvenidos Al Lolita¨ and ¨Los Hombres De Paco¨ . Rating : 6.5/10 . Well worth seeing for the saga followers .

"Legado en los Huesos" is a grim and gritty thriller that continues the story of inspector Amaia Salazar, who returns to her hometown in the Basque Country to investigate a series of gruesome crimes.

Director Fernando González Molina delivers a dark and atmospheric film that captures the eerie beauty of the Basque landscape, shrouded in constant rain and mist, reflecting the murky depths of the human psyche. The film effectively utilizes its setting, evoking a sense of isolated dread akin to the best Nordic noirs, where the stunning visuals are contrasted with disturbing scenes of violence and gore.

The story, adapted from the novel by Dolores Redondo, is a complex web of mystery and intrigue. Inspector Amaia, played by Marta Etura, is a compelling lead, haunted by her past and struggling to balance her personal life and the demands of her job. The character's internal conflicts are portrayed with depth and nuance, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative. Etura's performance is a highlight, conveying Amaia's strength and vulnerability as she navigates a world of male-dominated police work and confronts her own traumatic history.

The supporting cast is also strong, with special mention to Leonardo Sbaraglia as Amaia's colleague and potential love interest, Inspector Montés, who brings a sense of warmth and humanity to the film. The dynamic between Amaia and Montés is one of the film's strengths, offering moments of levity and emotional connection amidst the darkness.

The film excels in its depiction of the investigative process, with Amaia and her team meticulously examining crime scenes and following leads, often uncovering more questions than answers. However, the plot becomes convoluted as it tries to juggle multiple storylines and themes. The film introduces elements of supernatural folklore and delves into Amaia's personal life, including her difficult relationship with her mother, all while trying to solve a series of brutal murders. As a result, certain plot threads feel underdeveloped or hastily resolved, leaving some aspects of the story feeling rushed and unsatisfying.

The film's pacing is also uneven, with some scenes lingering too long and others feeling rushed. The tone veers from tense and suspenseful to melodramatic, especially in the latter half, where the film leans heavily into its more sensationalistic elements. The final act, in particular, descends into overly familiar horror tropes, detracting from the otherwise compelling mystery.

That being said, "Legado en los Huesos" offers a compelling and unique setting, exploring the cultural and political backdrop of the Basque Country. The film touches on themes of tradition, superstition, and the lingering scars of political violence, adding depth and context to the story.

In terms of technical aspects, the film is impressive. The cinematography is stunning, with each frame meticulously composed to emphasize the beauty and isolation of the Basque landscape. The production design and costuming are also noteworthy, contributing to the overall sense of gloom and despair that permeates the film.

The score, however, is somewhat forgettable, failing to enhance the tension or add much-needed emotional depth to certain scenes. This is a missed opportunity, as the music could have provided a more powerful and immersive experience.

Overall, "Legado en los Huesos" is a flawed but engaging thriller. It offers a compelling lead character, a unique setting, and a gripping mystery, but it struggles to balance its various elements, resulting in a somewhat uneven pacing and a disappointing conclusion.

I enjoyed watching the investigations unfold in this murder mystery/thriller. The main storyline is well developed and gets up and running pretty quickly. The characters have depth and are well acted, the main inspector is likable and smart. An enjoyable thriller!

Based on the best seller Trilogy of Basan, Legado en los huesos is a more solid movie in almost every detail. Budget has increased and special effects are excellent. Scenery is so perfect photographed that inspire fear and desires to be there all at the same time. In general all technical and production aspects had improve substantially and not because the first part had any deficiency. Acting is the only part that requires a little losing up for the main character. Marta Etura a solid actress over acts sometimes or feels too serious for a charismatic character. It is difficult to accept everybody follows and loves her. There is a third part coming that I expect take care of the new characters. A group of great actors doing very little here. I did not read the books but assume their stories will gain weight on the conclusion. In brief; a good thriller with many mysteries and some rather unexpected situations.

The movie had an interesting premise but was poorly executed. The problem I'm finding with a lot of foreign movies is that they've copied Hollywood tropes and cliches and they really haven't made them work to their advantage. This is a prime example. The lead detective does nothing but give orders around. Scenes are placed randomly with no continuity making the movie hard to follow. There's no explanation for a lot of scenes, you somehow have to guess what happened or try to infer from the rapidly spoken Spanish. Overall, a poor attempt at a thriller. Watch it if you have nothing else to do on a Sunday afternoon.