Moody slow burner

Rating: 7/10 (22 August 2008)

Laura, a former orphan at a rural orphanage, buys her previous home and moves in with her husband and her adopted son. Pretty soon strange things begin to happen, her son Simon is talking about imaginary friends he has, they ignore this saying he will grow out of it. Simon goes missing during a fancy dress party and is never found, Laura believes a mysterious woman who claimed to be a social worker is responsible. Bavona'a film has all the hallmarks of a Del Toro film, it's a moody slow burner that is full of creepy moments rather than out and out scares. Its beautifully filmed, well acted but for me it was a big disappointment after all the hype. I can't really say why exactly, for me it just lacked something magical. Maybe a second viewing is required.