The Grandmother is a 2021 Spanish horror film about a Paris-based model who must return to Madrid where her grandmother recently had a stroke. However, spending just a few days with this elderly relative turns into an unexpected nightmare.
Directed by Paco Plaza (Verónica; Romasanta: The Werewolf Hunt; [REC] films) from a screenplay written by Carlos Vermut. Produced by Enrique López Lavigne.
The Apache Films production stars Almudena Amor, Karina Kolokolchykova, Chacha Huang, Vera Valdez and Michael Collis.
Plot:
Susana (Almudena Amor) must leave her life working as a model in Paris and return home to Madrid after she learns that her grandmother Pilar (Vera Valdez) – who raised her as her own after her parents died – has had a cerebral haemorrhage.
Upon returning home, Susana attempts to find a long-term caretaker for Pilar, but what should be just a few days ends up becoming a genuine nightmare after Susana notices Pilar start to act strangely…
Rent or buy The Grandmother on Digital via Amazon Prime
Reviews:
“The initial unconditional care and family sense of duty gradually give way to terror that has the young woman and the audience firmly in its grip and from which there is no escape. An impressive confrontation with transience and how we fear it in ourselves and others. A film that skillfully breaks down the obsession with a perfect youthful body and tries to highlight the real horror, the real danger behind it.” 8 out of 10, Film Rezensionen [translated from German]
“Valdez gives an amazing performance where she has no dialogue, everything is conveyed by a vacant stare or the suggestion of a smile that seems to impart an intelligence and possible intent behind what is going on. I was successfully able to predict where the film was going to go in its ending – it is a fairly obvious surprise if you have seen a certain few films in the genre – but Paco Plaza makes the journey there an undeniably effective one.” ★★★ Moria
Trailer:
Extended preview:
Release date:
The film was released in Spain on October 22, 2021.
In the US, The Grandmother was suddenly and surprisingly released on VOD on September 12, 2023. Rent or buy The Grandmother on Digital via Amazon Prime
Original title:
La Abuela
