36 pasos (2006) Poster

(2006)

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4/10
What the heck??
dschmeding14 August 2008
No way... I just saw this movie on the Fantasy Film Fest and I am still wondering what this is supposed to be. I have to grant the makers that they planted a truckload of strange ideas in this low budget movie that looks like being shot on Betacam. If you are looking for a gory horror movie I doubt this is the right one for you. The basic story reminds ofRuss Meyer meets Reality-Survive-Gameshow meets Art-house meets sick TCMretard family. For most of the time you see some nice Latina girls in Bikinis in a house with pool having fun. You get girls swimming, girls sunbathing and girls dancing like in a video clip. A lot of this is pretty over the top in bright flashy colors and with an overuse of loud music and aggressive sound effects. Right when you think you are in the wrong movie it is revealed that the girls are rather forced to have so much fun because they play a strange game with rules that if not followed have the girls getting their head bashed by a funny psycho with a strange hat and even stranger smile or tortured in the toolshed. This sound like a load of other movies but believe me, you get something different. Not just the synchronized dance scene... you get some flashbacks to how the girls got to the "house of fun" which are shown in very different fashion and have a strong art-house meets trash meets telenovela style to them. One girl dies and her life is told in a backward flash, the other girls story of abduction is showing them in strange punk-rock or art performances. And as if this mixing with the bikini girls dancing and bathing is not enough you even get some very strange Elements that remind of David Lynch and an animated dream sequence. I honestly didn't know what all this was supposed to mean until after a little bloodbath and bikini girl decimation by chainsaw, nailgun, hammer to the head and knifing as well as a pretty funny decapitation scene the whole thing is revealed in a strange finale. Even though my total confusion was cleared up a bit I still think a lot in this movie didn't make much sense and many sequences were stretched way too long (especially the uninteresting dialog and the final escape scene). The mix of at least a million elements with some humor, some gore, some experimental stuff and the girls talking and bathing is just too much and if someone really calls this a horror movie I wonder what drugs he is on. This movie is only for horror fans in a way that Necromantik2 was for horror fans. The key scenes are nothing compared to the parts of the movie that rather seem like a trashy art-house movie with a Russ Meyer vibe. There sure is some interesting elements in this movie but as a whole it was rather a mess to me. For sure if you are into very strange and low budget movies you can give this a try.
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5/10
what is this
trashgang17 January 2017
I only watched this because it was linked to I'll Never Die Alone (2008) but was I wrong to watch this little stinker. Before you stop reading my review, it do offer a lot but you have to sit throughout a rather boring flick.

And by boring I mean, I cant say what i just saw. There's so much going on and I can't get out of it. Then you have girls dancing for 3 minutes in their bikinis and suddenly a door opens and one girl is smashed in the face with a hammer. Then you have a lot of blah blah between the girls. Then you got a part that the girls are shown in a cartoon. Then there is a part that all girls are full frontal in strobo light. You get it I think, this is weird.

But there are a few gory moments to catch but overall I had the fast forward always in hand to skip parts. Not for everyone, only for the lovers of gore on a low base.

Gore 2,5/5 Nudity 2/5 Effects 2/5 Story 1/5 Comedy 0/5
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Happyyy Birthdayyy!...
azathothpwiggins6 December 2021
A gaggle of bikini-clad uber-hotties are preparing for a birthday party, but they're in for a blood-soaked nightmare instead.

36 PASOS is an absolutely crazy movie with a disturbing story about abduction, torture, revenge, and murder. The disjointed, disorienting filming style adds to the overall berserk goings-on. It's like being caught in a whirlwind!

Not for everyone. May require repeat viewings...
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2/10
Bad low budget movie... Not even for splatter fans..
dynmc10 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie yesterday late in the evening and I was looking for a great teeny horror movie but what I got was really the worst low budget sh*t ever. I mean, these girls were cute and some of the really acted not as bad as the plot was, but the whole scenery was just ridiculous and just copied by some weird American movies... In the end it was just crazy that all of them tried to kill themselves... The whole idea behind this movie was just so stupid, because it's just kind of unrealistic. Those girls live there together and rules are dictating their lives.. They're not allowed to leave the place, because if they do, the crazy brother will realize it (however...) and come over to kill them... There are some many mistakes in the movie... just don't spent money on this...

I spent 3€ for this movie, I hope it will get to the producer for the next try, maybe with a better camera then...
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2/10
It might be 36 steps for them ...
kosmasp24 March 2009
... but it definitely feels like a marathon for you, while you're watching it. But let me put it clearer, because my analogy isn't that easy to follow. You have a low budget movie here, that succeeds to undermine your expectations. With a script that must have been put loosely together, a misogynistic central theme and "acting" that does not deserve to be named that way, there is very little to get excited about here.

Even if you are into slasher movies, the pacing, the story and most of all the completely annoying characters (or their portrayal by the actors) will leave you with a bitter taste. From start until way after the movie has ended ... But even a movie like this seems to have it's followers, as I can see by some voting and comments here. And while I do admit that I'm stunned by that fact, I still respect their views. But not the ones stating that there is good acting in the movie and even less the statements giving the movie another dimension, by just making up reasons why the filmmaker did this movie.

This is not a philosophical movie and even the ending, which picks up pace, comes too late to save anything. Yes this is low-budget, yes there are a few good looking women in bikinis ... but if it's the latter your after, you're better off with a nice magazine!
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2/10
The 36 steps program.
morrison-dylan-fan27 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
When visiting the IMDb Horror board (RIP) I would always see the works of Adrian Garcia Bogliano. Taking part in Horror and Latin America viewing challenges on ICM, I decided to search round on Amazon UK for titles which crossed both,and was happy to find two titles which allowed me to take the first of 36 steps towards seeing the early Bogliano output.

View on the film:

Made on a micro budget of $5000 (leading to the crew having to also act in the film) co-writer/(with Ramiro Garcia Bogliano and Honorio Galarza) director Adrian Garcia Bogliano & cinematographer Sergio Fleischer step towards the fittie ladies with washed out, bone dry,low-res digital video, which jabs at the viewer in shaky hand-held camera moves, that also leave potentially interesting detours (such as into animation and gory chops) to be ruined by blending in to the same flat appearance as the rest of the movie.

Matching the look of the flick, the sparks for indie creativity in the revelation that appearances can be deceiving in the laid-back lives of the ladies,is sadly left untouched by plodding dialogue which gives little to distinguish any of the cast,and causes every twist to land with a tied whimper on each of the 36 steps.
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7/10
Disturbing horror film may haunt you if you click with it
dbborroughs31 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
6 beautiful women end up in a house by the country where they are help captive by a crazy person who has strict rules they must follow.

Odd, occasionally, disturbing horror film from Argentina. Its a film that works because it plays with the rules of horror films in such away that at times you don't know what to feel or expect. Scenes play out in a WTF manner, seemingly brought in from another film, only to turn left suddenly and have a shocking resolution. I'm not sure if I like it or not but it kind of got under my skin in a way that will have me recommending it to friends who like atypical horror films.

between 6 and 7 out of 10, maybe higher
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2/10
Yeah, no.
bombersflyup9 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
36 Pasos is a low production value Spanish "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" of sorts.

With scantily clad girls in it for the bulk of the runtime, it can't be too bad can it? Well there's little to no substance and it's not exactly provocative either. A combination of squabbling and gore would better sum it up. There's really no reason justified as to how any of them didn't just escape, it's one slow moving and mentally handicapped guy, as depicted in the end. Though for some reason he happens to know at all times if someone's up to no good... No performance stood out, no particularly memorable scene that I can recall either.
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7/10
Quirky and Original Horror!
Shaza12323 May 2013
I've wanted to watch this movie for a long time. I'm a massive fan of director Adrián García Bogliano due to his awesome Grindhouse throwback No Moriré Sola (I'll Never Die Alone). When I found out he directed another horror movie called 36 Pasos, I was very excited and intrigued to watch it. And I have to say, I've never seen anything quite like it before.

This is truly the most unique horror movie I've ever experienced. I was expecting something similar alone the lines of No Moriré Sola, but got something much more lighthearted and quirky, yet brutal and sadistic at the same time.

We have six girls in bikinis staying in a house preparing for a surprise birthday. These girls play around a lot, dance, swim and argue, but for the most part they seem very happy. That's because they have to be. You see, there are rules, and breaking the rules will cost you dearly...

This is truly a bizarre film. From the crazy camera angles, to the quick editing, to the almost crazy sounding soundtrack, I found myself completely unaware of where the movie was taking me. Usually I can figure out the type of movies I watch and almost predict what will happen, but with this one I was completely blind in knowing what was going on. A lot of it feels quite experimental with various different filming technique such as a whole scene told in backwards motion and a random creepy nightmarish animation scene. There's even a dance number towards the beginning. This movie switches between a lighthearted and cheesy comedy to a gruesome and brutal horror movie, and it does it effortlessly. Truly bizarre!

You can tell this is a very low budget film, but the gore effects are exceptionally impressive. When the blood starts dripping, things get really messy! It's hard to believe such a fun movie could turn into such a blood bath! I also liked the actresses, I reckon they played their parts pretty well. I really enjoyed the appearances of Gimena Blesa and Andrea Duarte from No Moriré Sola, I love seeing familiar faces. Finally, I also really liked how the story played out, it was really quite clever in coming to a very interesting and satisfying conclusion that I did not see coming.

My only complaint in this unusual movie is the soundtrack. Quirky at first, but it kinda gets on your nerves after a while. It's just a bit too much for me.

So, here we have a truly remarkable film, it really is quite original in it's execution. I recommend it for those looking for something a little bit different. Thankyou.
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9/10
Great Horror Movie!
german-67 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I think that write an online review and recommend this movie here is mandatory for me. I feel it that way. Why? Because this movie is amazing and people must know about how great it is. No, i have nothing to do with the production of this movie, I'm just a guy who watched it in Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre.This was a movie that i watched with a smile on my face during all the projection, not because the movie was "funny" or "cheesy", no.This movie is not "cheesy" or "funny" in the comedy way. Its pure and hardcore horror. I was smiling because i love TRUE HORRROR MOVIES, i love Fulci movies and all the classic 70s and early 80s violent movies. This movie is a hit in every department.I must warn all the "politically correct wimps" out there that this one is not for you: Its Very violent, bloody and dark. Cruel. sadistically.It also have a misogynist tone on it( i it think that tone works like an homage to 70s sleaze movies from masters of the macabre like Damato and all the KINGS, not to take it too seriously).Anyway, this movie works in a lot of levels. The plot: A group of pretty blonde bimbos are trapped in a big house and must be "happy" waiting for a forgotten primary school mate. Yes, they MUST be happy and follow six easy steps..or they will pay with blood. And believe me, the blood will flow. Uts like a movie made by Fulci in the XXI century, with rage,blood, pretty babes, some touches of black comedy and cool editing. 9/10
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10/10
Bestial
carlocampanile7 November 2006
Amazing!!, Schoking!!, Cool!!, Amoral!!, Gore!! and much more!!! From the creators of "Rooms for Tourists" and "Scream the night" comes the last fashion in horror film. This movie changes the rules of the horror genre and goes more deep. It's maybe the best horror film in the history of the Argentinian cinema. This is surprisingly well done for the obviously small budget the picture was alloted. With very good gore effects that won't let any gore hound down. I hope Bogliano stays with the genre and can get some better funds for his next movie. This is definitely a movie any slasher fans should check out especially those who felt burned or even slightly disappointed with "hostel".
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10/10
Amazing micro budget horror film!
realizacion426 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
We have to admit, we went into 36 Steps (36 Pasos), the newest film by Argentinean gore-extraordinaire Adrián García Bogliano, completely unaware of the director's body of work with no better excuse than we are very busy and didn't have time to research the film or the man on the internet before hand lazy. However, we did have time to procure a lunchtime feast from P. Terry's burger stand consisting of a cheeseburger combo meal and ketchup. Lots of ketchup.

What we stumbled upon in our ignorance-is-bliss state was a misogynistic fable-come-blood-bath following the tenets of a 1950's housewife: do not talk, stay within your defined boundaries, keep everything in order and appear to be happy at all cost. For a modern girl, those are tough pills to swallow, especially when your only available beverage is a packet of Heinz and the last image you saw was a severed finger. But as is the case with most horror-slasher flicks, there is always a lesson to be learned.

36 Steps is the story of six girls who are invited to a remote hacienda for an old classmate's birthday party, a classmate who, admittedly, the girls didn't much care for. We are of course using the term "invited" loosely; basically they were hunted down, rendered unconscious and abducted by a mouth-breathing man child whose appearance in each scene is accompanied by a malevolent fog horn. They are subsequently chained with what appears to be some sort of Spanish inquisition era restraining device and tortured into submission: first you learn silence (Silencio!), then obedience (Obediencia!), and finally happiness (Felicidad!).

From there, the movie follows a horror pastiche not unlike the work of Takashi Miike: Naked dismembered women? Check. Carnival-like animation sequence? Check. Synchronized group dance followed by bludgeoning? Double check. This is a true gore-core fanatic's wet dream! For some reason, the girls never change out of their bikinis and their standard operating procedure is to have splash fights in the pool. There are very specific rules, however: if they speak about anything unpleasant, they are disciplined in heinous ways (think branding iron) and they are absolutely not to attempt an escape. In the end they are pitted against each other in a battle of survival, and only one will remain standing. But will any of them take the 36 Steps to freedom? To be sure, the film is super low budget (every member of the production company plays a character in the movie) but it is masterfully crafted. The story is simple, yet unique, the visuals are viscerally engaging (aka vomitous, but in a good way), and the acting is surprisingly good. Bogliano has a great talent for turning inherently sexist ideas into a platform for women's rights. Through the film he asserts that women should not be trained to answer to a whistle like dogs and that closing their mouths does not correlate to closing their minds. Trying to control them only turns them into chainsaw-wielding psychopaths. And, perhaps Bogliano thinks women should be a little bit nicer to one another.

We don't purport to have our bachelors in butchery or our master's in mayhem, but as far as this class is concerned, watching 36 Steps was the most stomach-churning fun that we had all week. We highly recommend that you go to the Alamo, order a burger and bask in the electric glow of brilliant Argentinean cinema. Just be sure to tell your server to hold the ketchup.
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9/10
A micro budgeted gem
Corpus_Vile18 March 2013
A group of luckless hotties must follow a set of rules at the behest of a mysterious individual while holed up in a big house after being invited to a birthday party. Failure to adhere to the rules of the house will result in discipline. Failure to have fun will result in punishment. Failure to obey the whistle will not make the homeowners happy.

Now, any reader can be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like your standard, generic ho-hum horror set up but trust me, you'd be wrong and very pleasantly surprised as this isn't quite like any horror film you've ever seen before or ever will see.

I gotta say, I was completely blown away by 36 Pasos. Supposedly shot on a minuscule budget of $5000 it easily transcends its shoestring funding, and via clever use of rewind, animation, flashbacks and an honest to God choreographed Mtv-style dance number- that actually works all the better for the film as a whole- it emerges as one of the quirkiest, offbeat and highly original gems I've ever seen and has become one of my new favorite horrors of the 00s. I'm not gonna give any spoilers regarding plot as it's actually a helluva lot more effective if viewed "blind", with no prior spoilers. Reason being, as well as being highly original, it also comes with a refreshing and very effective sense of unpredictability that makes for captivating viewing as you're really not sure what to expect next or how things will develop amongst the housemates.

I really cannot say enough nice things about 36 Pasos. I watched it purely on impulse one night and it surpassed my expectations in spades. The director Adrian Bogliano is IMO an innovative creative genius who gets the absolute most out of his micro budgets. His slasher Rooms for Tourists also easily transcended its shoestring budget and made for absorbing viewing and his vicious rape revenge film No Morira Sola, while also being probably shot for about the price of a plane ticket is a brutally effective and genuinely gritty throwback flick to those nasty 70s, as opposed to some self aware homage.

I advise horror fans to keep an out for this guy as he's criminally underseen and underrated and his output is worth the time of any self respecting horror fan.

Anyway 9/10 for 36 Pasos, a brilliantly innovative, shoestring budgeted treat, a far superior horror than many of its much larger budgeted counterparts and one of the best horrors I've seen in years. See it now, it's a waiting to be discovered gem.
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10/10
This movie rocks.
dmateris82-426-76843426 June 2013
I, oddly enough, found this at my local Blockbuster store in Chicago when it came out back in 2006. I was so happy that I rented it! It's a great low budget horror movie. Not only do I love the cast (a bunch of beautiful South American women in bikinis?! Who wouldn't like that?) but the story and follow through is genius. Even artistic sequences of animation- Argento style kill scenes. A true midnight movie. I recently bought the DVD because you cannot find it anywhere! I almost want to keep this treasure to myself but more people who are fans of exploitation, low budget and horror should check this out. Anyone who doesn't like it doesn't understand original filmmaking. Only a $5,000 budget?? It's gold.
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