AKA: Cuando acecha la maldad

When Evil Lurks 2023 Movie

I came in with the “horror film of the year” buzz and, honestly, left disappointed. There are a couple of set pieces that freeze your blood and the craft is strong —disgustingly effective makeup, some unsettling daylight shots— but when it needs to sustain fear, it leans on shock and gore. That’s not the same. Rugna nails unease and harshness, yes, but he often confuses discomfort with horror: it churns your stomach more than it scares you. The opening teases a rural folklore and a universe of “embichados” that could’ve been fascinating. Yet the rules never feel clear, the script lurches forward, and characters stack up head-slapping choices that pull you out. When the film explains its mythology, it loses steam; when it accelerates, it piles on splatter to cover the lack of tension. There are bold, bright ideas, but they don’t quite cohere. On the minus side: uneven rhythm, talky exposition that punctures atmosphere, and a finale that doesn’t land the blow. On the plus: a few devastating moments, a lean, no-nonsense staging, and a ruthless tone some will love. I left thinking it’s more brutal than truly terrifying.