I am absolutely LIVING for the cinematography it is so skilled. Another MASSIVE pro is the decor-this house is 100 percent perfectly done. It's done in that late 60s early 70s style I just adore and would be so lucky to be able to replicate in my own house someday. Locations? Brilliant. All of them. That house is definitely worth over a million bucks today. Those archways?? Beautiful. If they weren't defiled in the 90s that is. I love the use of atmosphere, it's so bleak here.
This is one of a row of early 70s films that were stylistically influenced by the Italian giallo genre, that had gained such popular cachet in the latter country, and as such it flirts with the style but never really fully jumps into it headfirst. For some reason, this fact is belied in the locations; there's a marked (though possibly minor) difference in the trees and general wildlife between the two countries that I always pick up on but (not being versed in the subject at all) can't really describe. Back to the subject of the giallo in Spanish film- this movie may take the trappings of the giallo (magnitude of mise-en-scene, such as focus on artistic and fluid cinematography, widescreen with a baroque and ostentatious set full of decoration, liberal use of beautiful locations for a horror film) but the focus is still, here, on a coherent and tight psychological thriller type plot, and so we see that its goals are different from those of the true, Italian giallo film. It also misses nearly necessary elements such as a black gloved killer (and that infamous straight razor). To repeat my earlier statement, this is one of a row of Spanish films that takes influence from the genre, which was centred in, and mostly only really ever existed in, Italy.
As for the plot, which is the main focus of the movie, it is very good. Half of the movie is used to build up the characters, although it doesn't really do the best it could have done in that vein it makes a solid effort; this first half also focuses on establishing the toxic relationship between the stepmother and daughter. The second half gives us a murder mystery, delving into the slasher/giallo type of plot trope, and since it's given us such a good build up we're actually left caring about who's doing the killing (caring as in truly wondering). This latter half does a phenomenal job at building up an atmosphere of dread, suspense, and nail-biting engagement. A great psychological thriller from Spain with giallo-esque characteristics. Beautiful.
This is one of a row of early 70s films that were stylistically influenced by the Italian giallo genre, that had gained such popular cachet in the latter country, and as such it flirts with the style but never really fully jumps into it headfirst. For some reason, this fact is belied in the locations; there's a marked (though possibly minor) difference in the trees and general wildlife between the two countries that I always pick up on but (not being versed in the subject at all) can't really describe. Back to the subject of the giallo in Spanish film- this movie may take the trappings of the giallo (magnitude of mise-en-scene, such as focus on artistic and fluid cinematography, widescreen with a baroque and ostentatious set full of decoration, liberal use of beautiful locations for a horror film) but the focus is still, here, on a coherent and tight psychological thriller type plot, and so we see that its goals are different from those of the true, Italian giallo film. It also misses nearly necessary elements such as a black gloved killer (and that infamous straight razor). To repeat my earlier statement, this is one of a row of Spanish films that takes influence from the genre, which was centred in, and mostly only really ever existed in, Italy.
As for the plot, which is the main focus of the movie, it is very good. Half of the movie is used to build up the characters, although it doesn't really do the best it could have done in that vein it makes a solid effort; this first half also focuses on establishing the toxic relationship between the stepmother and daughter. The second half gives us a murder mystery, delving into the slasher/giallo type of plot trope, and since it's given us such a good build up we're actually left caring about who's doing the killing (caring as in truly wondering). This latter half does a phenomenal job at building up an atmosphere of dread, suspense, and nail-biting engagement. A great psychological thriller from Spain with giallo-esque characteristics. Beautiful.