Nadie sale con vida

A lot of new stuff on Netflix is pretty pathetic. I love horror so figured I'd have a look. The main character has a good back story and stuff that happens along the way makes this more than a slasher film. It creates some real compassion for her. The last scenes are impressive. I tend not to listen to reviewers who have 'read the book' because they don't get that the language of film is different to that of literature (pretty much what Peter Jackson said of LOTR and look at the success of that). Horror is like comedy; it's subjective. Have a look, you might enjoy it.

Very slow start, but the pay off in the end is worth it.

Good acting, good writing, good direction and sets overall. The soundtrack was good too.

Overall worth the watch.

Competent thriller/horror with folk horror overtones. Not groundbreaking in any way but nevertheless some very unique and interesting ideas. Great acting and sensational cinematography. The narrative kept the origins of the box murky which added to the mystery and suspense. The "house" was wonderfully imagined and contributed to the ambiance. A few traditional jump scares but they didn't detract from the film. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ambar is a young Mexican woman living in Cleveland; because she has no documentation she can't get a decent job or find anywhere to live for very long. After being forced to move she finds an advert for cheap accommodation; it is a rather rundown building and Red, the manager, is a bit creepy but with little else to choose from she moves in. She is almost immediately disturbed by strange sounds and nightmares. It isn't long before she is in real danger.

I didn't know anything about this film, or the book it is based on, before going onto Netflix looking for a sub-ninety minute film to kill some time. The premise sounding interesting so I decided to give it a go. The film might not be a classic but it is solid enough. The building, along with the creepy sounds, are nicely disturbing. The film has something to say about the difficulties faced by undocumented migrants that doesn't get in the way of the story or the scares. I admit to being a little disappointed when we learn just what is in the basement; the human villains were far more disturbing than what is down there. The cast is solid; most obviously Cristina Rodlo who impresses as Ambar. Overall a decent little horror film; perhaps not a must see but still fun for fans of the genre.

If you haven't read the book, then this is a pretty good stand alone bog standard horror. It's creepy and original in parts but sadly, it captures none of the desolation and gothic pagan horror of the book.

Worst of all, the great twist at the end of the novel has been completely left out here, which is a massive let down.

If you've read the book, then you'll most likely be disappointed with this effort. Apart from the fact that it's not set in England in seedy bedsit land, with the whole seedy prostitution thing and unremitting hopelessness, but is taken to America (yawn) and pumped so full of Hollywood botox all the character and desolate horror is wiped clean out of it.

Shame. But then predictable. I'm hoping they remake it with a British production that captures all the mood and atmosphere of the novel.

If you didn't like the movie, go read the book. It's one of the best horror novels I've read.