Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Cristian Valencia | ... | Cristian | |
![]() |
Clara Moraleda | ... | July |
![]() |
Chus Pereiro | ... | Debora |
![]() |
Sergi Martin | ... | Jose |
![]() |
Xavi Doz | ... | Santiago |
![]() |
Jose Masegosa | ... | Carlos |
Rafael Amaya | ... | Psiquiatra (voice) | |
![]() |
Sammy Gad | ... | David (as Sammy Gad González) |
![]() |
Ferran Casterà Mosquera | ... | Criminólogo (as Ferran Casterà) |
![]() |
Anne Sanz | ... | Melinda |
![]() |
Carlos Blanco Barberà | ... | Policía 1 (as Carlos Blanco) |
![]() |
Rebecca Gil | ... | Policía 2 |
![]() |
Efrem Pinto | ... | Policía 3 |
![]() |
Silvia Arnau | ... | Policía 4 |
![]() |
Carlos Gaya | ... | Policía 5 |
Cristian and his sister, July, travel from Madrid to El Garraf with their parents and their little brother to spend the Holy Week in their old vacation home. They learn the legend of Melinda, a girl wearing a red dress that got lost in the labyrinth near the house, who helps people that also get lost in the spot. Carlos, a visiting family friend, tells the siblings that there are different, more sinister versions of the legend. July and Cristian use two hand-held cameras to explore the labyrinth and investigate the mystery of Melinda, until something horrible happens. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The film has a very promising premise for any horror fan - a story with paranormal elements, a small cast and filmed with a hand-held camera (think of the suspense!). This immediately sets the expectations high - I was expecting a Spanish Blair Witch Project or perhaps a successful spin-off of Rec.
In reality, the friends I went to the movies with got nauseous because of the constant shaking of the camera and I did not flinch once. It must be said, though, that Atrocious does a good job of misleading the viewer - something I rather enjoyed, but some others might find disappointing.
The biggest flaw, however, was that the movie got lost in itself. The producers were clearly so caught up with the whole amateur-footage-spooky-places-run-and-scream theme that it engulfed the whole movie, making everything else that happened inbetween seem like one long filler. And then combined with the completely unexpected ending, Atrocious might just leave you feeling a little indifferent about the whole thing - and nauseous, if you're like one of my friends.
Overall, it's a decent little horror flick, but nothing that would keep you up at night.