Born of inspiration

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2009)

South American literature has a tradition for 'magical realism'... in which supernatural occurrences mesh with day-to-day life in a way we aren't otherwise used to. This is one of the examples of such. You can either believe that everything you see actually happens, or that the most fantastic are products of the imagination; like in works of Edgar Allen Poe. At its core, this is something as relatable as a mother losing her son. It is also one of the best ghost stories I've ever seen. The plot is excellent and compelling from start to finish. Every acting performance is spot-on... the main kid is incredible, completely convincing. All of the characters are well-developed and credible, and Laura is a strong female lead, which is always nice to see in something like this. This is psychological horror, based upon build-up of atmosphere and creepiness. While there are jump-scares, every single one is a "proper" one, no cats jumping out of closets, etc. There are unforgettable sequences in this, and the mystery is genuinely intriguing. The editing and cinematography are amazing. A lot of what makes this terrifying is also the astonishing sound design. The lighting is subtle. There is gore and blood(but not excessive, and they are used effectively), as well as an abundance of disturbing content in this. The DVD holds several featurettes, a couple of deleted scenes(including alternate ending and opening) with director's commentary, an audition tape of Príncep(the boy), animatics, storyboards, a trailer and a teaser. I recommend this to every fan of unsettling films. 8/10