Sweet Home

After seen Don't Breathe (2016) my best friend told me to pick up this flick. So I did and I'm happy I did because it's a hell of a ride. It's not all that good, it's not that you think, aaa it's all over now and things start over again.

Here you could see it coming so no suspense on that part but it's the effects used and the brutality that makes it worth watching. It do involves a bit of romance and in some parts the romance takes over but there's a thing, just before you think, omg, not the romance again you're in for a smasher.

For a first attempt as a full feature Rafa Martinez did well. The story itself is a bit over the top. Nothing is explained and so this can go from a romance into a home invasion towards a slasher. For me all things were done with a wink towards black comedy. Just see the beginning, the old lady going to the shower, guess everybody said, noooooo nudity here please. Well done. But what it adds toward the story I don't know and as mentioned before the romance and the head (you will see) is black comedy too.

Don't get me wrong, no humor at all, pure horror.

Gore 2/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5

A Spanish horror / slasher / thriller about the phenomenon of forcibly removing elderly people out of their homes by criminal real estate agents, who'll use that space to build luxurious apartments. That's what you'll read at the beginning of the film. Strange but true, the used language during the entire film is English (apart from a few harsh Spanish swear words). For once, I wished it was Spanish. Not only because I find Spanish a delicious sounding language but also because it would benefit the authenticity of this film. What really terrifies me is the fact that these evictions really happen there. Apparently there were more than 46,000 evictions in 2012. That's more than 500 a day. Terrible! I don't know if they use the same technique as in "Sweet Home". I hope not, of course.

Ultimately it's just a stupid movie. Full of stupid decisions, stupid coincidences and probably the dumbest Spanish girl you can find in that sunny country. She's one of those girls who drops her cell phone or flashlight at the most crucial moments of course (I'm forcing myself not to start about her being blond). I'm aware that these kind of incidents always occur in this type of movie. But every time I'm annoyed by it and I start to say things like "Oh come on" and "Not again, stupid cow". And also, this is the strangest building ever. It fitted the mood and was ideal as a background and setting for this movie. But still I thought there was something weird about it. It's an old, dilapidated building and most residents already left (voluntarily or horizontally with their feet first). But those rotten doors seem to be soundproof. Apparently no one on the first floor could hear the rattling with the front door and the loud shouting through the mailbox. And when help arrived (in the form of El Liquidador. Nice chilling name) who took care of the victims by using some kind of chemical substance in order to reduce them to dust material and vacuum it away, they were having a friendly conversation on the other side of the hall door. Strange architecture over there in Spain.

The most annoying thing in this film, is the story on its own. I expected more. I was just looking at the screen sheepishly and patiently I waited to see how it would end. That's it. It's far from being exciting. Besides two bloody scenes, there's not much blood to see on the screen. Only when El Liquidado arrives, it gets a bit more exciting. For a short while that is. He's some kind of ultimate solution to straighten out a situation that got out of hand. But haven't we seen this before? Such a rugged, muscular guy who routinely does the dirty work. Usually such a person is moving forward in such a nerve-racking slow pace, while dragging along a huge ax. That's nothing new under the sun. Before you know it, you get a cat and mouse game. And most of the time you can easily guess the outcome. Except in this film. But what was this "Saw" -like end? It was as if I suddenly watched a complete different movie.

Isn't there anything positive to report? Yes of course there is. The location where the whole story takes place looks absolutely stunning (as said before). A gorgeous old building ideal to play hide and seek. A unique and scary place perfect to film a struggle to the death. The camera angles used by the director were sometimes impressive. For instance the excerpts while the rain is pouring down. Or those images of the staircase. Simply gorgeous. But otherwise it was just as bland as a paella without any spices. Everyone dreams of buying a Spanish hacienda at an older age and enjoy the Spanish sun. After seeing this film, I wisely decided to accept the bad, cold weather of Belgium.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Not the greatest thriller I have ever watched, but neither is it the worst. It held my attention throughout.

Strong, athletic female lead. Nice to see that instead of a woman depicted as a meek, trembling weakling, completely dependent upon a man for protection.

The viewer may have to look away during some gruesome, violent scenes. Well made film, worth a look.

To me, it was refreshing seeing a horror with a small budget acting far better than the latest productions. I got more intrigued with every minute so all in all, it was quite a pleasant surprise.

The story is typical, the execution is good, acting OK, and most of the time the decisions taken by the characters are natural, they don't seem to be written by someone. The bad guys did their job, our heroes the same and at the end of it you get your closure. For that I am thankful to Sweet Home.

If you give it a try and lower your expectations just a little, I'm sure most of you will appreciate this little movie cause it has quite a baggage to offer. I recommend it!

Cheers!

Sexy star Ingrid García Jonsson is that authentically rare Swedish/Spanish badass. Hell, let's be real. She's probably the ONLY one. Director/Co-Writer Rafa Martinez succeeds in slathering on the suspense.

These takeaways notwithstanding, where was the grand dénouement? Rarely has there been a more roundly disappointing conclusion to an otherwise mostly competent horror/thriller than we witness at the back end of "Sweet Home".

And adding to the disappointment, the 1970s pop radio hit "Eres Tu" is introduced at precisely the right moment during a critical climactic scene. But almost as soon as it starts the schmaltzy cum sincere song suddenly vanishes. We DEMAND more MOCEDADES!

With this in mind, I offer a respectfully resolute, and most appropriate, message to the well meaning but ultimately off the mark filmmakers behind "Sweet Home". It's not us.

"It is You".