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Dementia-Fueled Horror: Octogenarian's Torturous Past
24 Feb
Summary
- An 80-year-old woman with dementia mistakes her daughter's ex-boyfriend for her husband.
- She tortures him, confusing him with her late husband who may have been a murderer.
- The film is a dark comedy of family dysfunction with gory moments.
In a chilling Spanish horror, an octogenarian named Alicia, grappling with dementia, mistakes her daughter's ex-boyfriend, Pedro, for her deceased husband, Cesar. This case of mistaken identity spirals into a night of terror as Alicia, played by Carmen Maura, subjects Pedro to gruesome torture. Her actions are fueled by fragmented memories of her past with Cesar, which may involve BDSM and even murder.
Pedro arrives at Alicia's isolated mansion at the behest of her daughter, Laura, who has growing concerns about her mother's well-being. Alicia's carer had previously been bypassed, with Alicia herself answering the phone, heightening the unease. The striking resemblance Pedro bears to Cesar seals his fate, leaving him bound and vulnerable to Alicia's increasingly violent interrogation.
Directed by Martín Mauregui, this film is a brisk chamber piece that expertly blends dark comedy with disturbing family dysfunction. While the exact contributions of producer JA Bayona are unclear, the polished execution showcases Maura's captivating performance and impeccable comedic timing. The movie is relentlessly entertaining for those unfazed by gore and animal harm early on.
