Fenómenas

Phenomena (2023) is a Spanish film recently released to Netflix. This true story tells a tale of a group of aging ladies in the 1970s that form a group to research paranormal phenomena around Madrid. We follow the group as it grows in numbers and cases to research. Their group is still active to this day...

This movie is directed by Carlos Therón (It's for Your Own Good) and stars Belén Rueda (The Sea Inside), Gracia Olayo (The Last Circus), Toni Acosta (Dangerous Mims) and Ivan Massagué (Pan's Labyrinth).

The premise for this was pretty good and the characters were interesting and well depicted. The hair style and way they captured the era gave me Golden Girl vibes for some reason. The horror elements were mediocre and made for television caliber, like a PG13 horror movie. There's a lot of cheese in this. The seance scenes were okay, and I enjoyed the final showdown at the end. This is just a very soft, cheesy horror movie.

Overall, this was a very average addition to the horror genre with a few fun scenes. I would score this a 5.5/10 and recommend skipping it.

I really enjoyed this film.

Based on the true story of the Hepta Group- a group of paranormal investigators/ghostbusters from Spain, consisting of a priest; three witches, including a television personality, a technician, and psychic; as well as a young skeptic (who possesses some unknown powers of his own)- the film is constructed as The Entity meets Evil Dead.

The plot revolves around an investigation that follows the unexplained death of their leader, Father Pilon.

Who suffered a stroke- which he would later succumb to- during a case at the newly acquired venue of a couple of antique dealers, who have been experiencing a series of paranormal phenomena.

Leading them to seek answers from the expertise of the Hepta Group members.

To honour his memory, the women pick up where he left off.

A task which would inevitably pit them against a particularly dark, and powerful, spiritual force.

Whom they may have butted heads with in the past.

In their most memorable unsolved case...at Vergara Palace.

(Note: While there is a Vergara Palace in Chile, I can't find evidence for a similarly named structure in Spain...unless it is the Valencian palace, featuring the gothic art of sculptor Ignacio Vergara.)

Which makes this one case that won't exactly be as straight forward as it seems.

Great acting. Some nice cult-style cinematography. An awesome story. And a crazy intense ending...make for one highly entertaining experience.

Do yourself a favour, and don't pass this one up.

Because it is one of the best horror films of the year.

8 out of 10.

No pun intended - I actually thought the movie would be a comedy to be honest. Probably because I knew the actors involved in this and also because it gave that vibe - seeing the poster or preview image on Netflix. Well shame on me I reckon - but I did have fun watching this (to continue with my puns I reckon).

The actors involved in this can not only do comedy obviously but are great actors in general. The deadly may have been a bit of a heightened statement - and was made for laughs on my side. So do not have expectations this will not fulfill - and that is where we get back to how we started right? How I perceived it and what it really is ... great cinematography and set design.

Here's The 4K Lowedown on "Phenomena" (TV-MA - 2023 - Netflix) Genre: Horror/Paranormal

My Score: 6.6 Cast=4 Acting=5 Plot=5 Ending=9 Story=9 Scare=5 Jump=7 F/X=6 Creep=6 Twist=10

Three middle-aged women who investigate paranormal events are put to the test when their leader disappears.

"When you're investigating paranormal phenomena, you first rule out normal phenomena." This started out really bad...it was like watching grass grow for the first half of the film. The second half is much better...with a twist that fees like an ending. All of a sudden, the movie goes in a much more dangerous direction and the true ending made the movie for me. This movie about the Hepta Group ended up to be a pretty good watch.

You're already trapped by bewitching filmic photography and powerful set design that leaves no room for couch distractions. Facts of paranormal phenomena told in a story of great suspense with a gripping crescendo, mysterious, breathless, but at the same time graceful thanks to the indistinguishable Spanish irony of the three female heroines who also allow you to smile in moments of jolt during some scenes of high tension in the second part of the story supported by an irrepressible, handsome, robust and conciliatory sound like the deeds of the three women who alone save their ..... Maria Pia.