VENUS (2022)

 

Directed By: Jaume Belaguero 

Written By: Jaume Belaguero and Fernando Navarro 

Based on the short story by: H.P. Lovecraft

Cinematography: Pablo Rosso 

Editor: Luis De La Madrid

Cast: Ester Exposito, Ines Fernandez, Angela Cremonte, Maugi Mira, Aten Soria, Maria Jose Sarrate, Sofia Reyes, Federico Aguada 

Horror invades the concrete corridors of a cursed apartment complex on the outskirts of Madrid.

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As usual, this is a film that might be best to go in blind. Does this offer quite a mystery in a surprise?

This film for all of its original elements end up being somewhat predictable. Even as it always keeps you guessing with all the detours it takes on the road forward.

As it does, keep changing genres, yet staying thorough with its story and characters. As it is a Pulpy noir crime story, one minute, a horror film the next, then on the edge of being a thriller, as well as a supernatural tale. Before in the last act being a story of revenge or a director Luc Besson style  action film.

The film starts off slow, though quickly gain speed as mentioned in the third act you think that’s the way the rest of the film will go before morphing into something different and more satisfying. 

especially with the journey that the film has put the characters and the audience through. Not to mention how the film has built up to these moments and characters and even the tone.

It continuously tries to throw you off center though it seems to be somewhat predictable, especially if you’ve seen this type of film before but at least it’s trying.

The film offers this mix you find that they feed quite well off of each other. As it's based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft that tells you the places this story will take you.

The problem is that for all that it inspires and tension it makes the audience feel. It never offers up a good enough release. As it builds up you expect something bigger then what it eventually offers. Which is wild but feels a little bit too tidy and minuscule for what it seems to hint at. 

Though being helmed by Jaume Belaguero who works best with the supernatural and thrillers. Sometimes both in small spaces like in his films REC and SLEEP TIGHT. That unfortunately this one doesn’t rise to the occasion as his others have. As this one seems almost like a greatest hits for him or seems to have reached a limit. 

Grade: C+