Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Punxsu
I have some problems with the tempo of the film. It is a bit slow developing and i feel like the story is a bit too transparent and predictable. As you would expect it's all about a puzzle to solve and it comes down to a dramatic final. Depending on your experience and expectations you might find it little surprising or maybe emotional. But on the other hand the movie is well-made and has a good atmosphere so it's totally fine for a rainy day to watch. It's done professional with good direction, good actors, good music and a good script. Only the story-telling could have been a bit more subtle. Don't expect overwhelming intelligence, but an interesting story with some good moments.
ma-cortes
This is a highly suspenseful and cerebral mystery , filled with intrigue , twists and turns . This exciting as well as as intriguing picture blends thrills , chills , and tense sequences especially in its final part , in a unexpected denouement , near the end . It deals with a higher class family formed by father , mother and two children , but nothing is what it seems like in the beginning ; as the older child who has exceptional intelligence also has an attitude that worries parents . Nico is a quirky teenager , he has a rare character , exceptional intelligence and a single obsession : chess . Carlos (Jose Coronado) and Coral (Abril Garcia) concerned upon their weird boy (David Solans) contract a child psychologist called Julio Beltran (Julio Manrique) who is moving into the disturbing world of Nico . Due to Nico obsession for chess , Beltran introduces this play within their therapy sessions and delves into the upsetting world of Nico . He will also be able to see beyond the perfect wealthy family that the boy's parents wanted to show . Because of the obsession for chess , Nico attempts to win a championship at whatever cost .This is a thrilling film about a wealthy Spanish family whose teenage son is very troubled , they then hire a psychologist to help him , it results in disturbing scenes , chills , creepy deeds and upsetting final . Hitchcock-style psychological thriller , being surprisingly good , compellingly realized and including enjoyable musical score jammed with a sinister and mysterious atmosphere . The original as well as interesting idea is overspread throughout the movie , but not totally satisfactory , including conventional pitfalls . The main cast is frankly fine . The protagonist of the film , Albert Nico, is played by actor David Solans , thanks to this role he got a nomination for Best Newcomer Awards in the Cinema Writers Circle of Spain . This is also the first work of the young actor . Nice acting by Jose Coronado as a worried father who faces off a terrible truth about his son ; Coronado is a veteran actor who has got a lot of successes such as "No Rest for the Wicked" , "The Last Days", ¨The body¨ , ¨Gal¨ , ¨El Lobo¨ and many others . Special mention to Jack Taylor as a famous chess master , he is an old actor playing from the 50s and usual in Jesus Franco films and all kind of genres . The picture belongs to sub-genre about ¨Bad children¨ whose main representation is the classic ¨Bad seed¨ , following ¨The Good Son¨ and Spanish films as ¨Island of damned¨ and recent "The Mudboy" . The film has also been nominated in several categories of the Gaudí Awards 2014 , some of them are : Best Film Editing , Best Sound , Best Director and Best Film Production filmed in Catalan . The motion picture is pretty well , although sometimes stagy and packs some turns ; however is entertaining for continuous suspense .Colorful cinematography is finely photographed by cameraman Jordi Bransuela , being filmed on location in Tarragona , Cataluña , Spain . Suspenseful and stirring musical score by Ethan Lewis . The picture was well directed by Jesus Monllao , at his first movie . The yarn will appeal to suspense enthusiasts and Jose Coronado fans . Rating : Good , better than average . It's well worth watching and contains some really thrilling scenes and disturbing images .
