Synopsis: Follows a Spanish late-night television reporter through the lens of her cameraman. During one report of the happenings in a local fire station the duo follow a team of firefighters who get a call from an apartment building nearby about a trapped woman. When they arrive, they find the apartment's residents huddled in the lobby. They go upstairs to find a woman who is obviously distressed, before all hell breaks lose.This is the Spanish film that one of my favorite movies of last year, Quarantine, is a remake of. I loved the American version but this one is even better. It's shot as if by a film crew so it feels very personal and real time, in the vein of Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project. This really gives the feeling of "being there" and that's a place I wasn't very comfortable. There are just a lot of great visuals, dreadful atmosphere, gripping tension and some really creepy moments as I jumped more than a few times. It's a movie I was sort of wanting to end as I was exhausted and ready for a rest by the end.
There are no stars you'll recognize, but one of the stars is the great apartment house they're in. It's got a big center stairwell and it lends to some great shots and scares. The "no names" they got to play in this low budget film all are believable and I quite liked the cast actually.
I'm impressed with how they filmed this, as some of the scenes seem to go on for 10 minutes or more and through multiple rooms and sets. It's impressive that the directors not only pulled this off but the actors would have a helluva time with that as well I'd think. This makes the pace really move along and once the team leaves the firehouse after the first 10 minutes or so, it all becomes a quick trip to hell with scares coming quick and plenty of gore. Another nice touch worth mentioning is that there's no music.
A very well done and effective horror film.
8/10
