King of the Hill (2007)

Two strangers run from unknown assailants that stalk them through the woods.

Director:

Gonzalo López-Gallego

Writers:

Javier Gullón (screenplay), Javier Gullón (story)

Stars:

Leonardo Sbaraglia, María Valverde, Thomas Riordan

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Leonardo Sbaraglia	...	Quim
María Valverde	...	Bea
Thomas Riordan	...	Hermano Menor
Andrés Juste	...	Hermano Mayor
Pablo Menasanch	...	Guardia Joven
Francisco Olmo	...	Guardia Mayor
Manuel Sánchez Ramos	...	Empleado Gasolinera
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael De La Torre	...	Quim - English Language Dubbing
Luis Fernández de Eribe

Storyline

Quim drives around an isolated rural area through a maze of lanes. When he drives into the woods, he gets lost. Trying to find his direction, he suddenly gets shot from the hill. On his escape from gunshots, he meets Bea, an attractive young woman, who apparently is lost as well. Suspicious of each other, they join forces to run away through the forest, unprotected, cold, hunted...

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Plot Keywords:

tire shot out | telescope sight | sniper | cat and mouse | first person perspective | 

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Taglines:

Shoot. Kill. Game Over.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexuality

Did You Know?

Connections

References Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

User Reviews

100% fat free

This minimalist Spanish thriller is yet another version of the age-old MOST DANGEROUS GAME story, yet filmed in such a way that it feels fresh and energetic despite the slimness of the plot. The Spanish have a way of taking the most simple elements of cinema – characters, a strong setting – and turning them into something often stylised and entertaining. KING OF THE HILL may not be up there in the ranks of REC and THE ORPHANAGE, but that doesn't stop it being a well made and beautifully shot little movie.

The story is simple. After an arresting sexual encounter in a public toilet, a man and a woman find themselves stranded in the wilderness and at the mercy of unknown marksmen who are hunting them with dogs and rifles. There's no more to it than that, and when a couple of disbelieving policemen turn up, you can instantly guess their fate. Even the identity of the killers is rather ho-hum given the recent successes of EDEN LAKE and THEM.

And yet still I found myself gripped by the unfolding events. That may be down to the lean, pared-down nature of the script or the genuine performances from the leading players – both Argentinian-born Leonardo Sbaraglia and his pretty sidekick, Maria Valverde, are fine at expressing stark terror at their impending doom. While I didn't agree with some of the plot twists that rob the movie of a single sympathetic character, I loved the bleak, beautifully-shot setting and the relentless nature of the action. Not a classic maybe, but still a serviceable outing.

Details

Official Sites:

Wild Side Films [France]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

12 September 2008 (Spain)

Also Known As:

King of the Hill

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$418,026

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goodfellas, Decontrabando, Telecinco

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1