You’ll hear many genre films described as a “slow burn” these days, and writer/director F. Javier Gutiérrez definitely takes time to develop his story in “The Wait.” This beautifully shot, folk horror revenge thriller requires plenty of patience, but the story of one man’s grief and guilt takes viewers along on a macabre descent into hell that’s worth the investment.
Set in 1970s Spain, Eladio (Víctor Clavijo) has been working for several years as a keeper on a hunting estate. He lives with his wife Marcia (Ruth Díaz) and son (Moisés Ruiz), both of whom he loves very much. When a powerful man offers Eladio a bribe that could be the opportunity of a lifetime, Marcia encourages him to accept because it would yield them a massive payday. Eladio takes the deal, which sets off a tragic, shocking series of events from which no one can escape.
As Eladio starts to wander the land alone, the film gets a bit draggy and repetitive. There are several scenes of disturbing dreams where characters jolt awake in bed, gasping and confused. This is becoming one of the most overused clichés in horror films, and it is super frustrating here. Thankfully Clavijo is terrific as Eladio, a stoic man of few words (unless you push him, that is). There is a demanding physicality to the role, and he carries the story almost entirely on his own back.
The film’s dusty landscape is itself a character in the film, a harsh and unforgiving place that sets the tone about the danger that awaits. Visually it feels like a Western, with wide shots combined with close-ups that add a gritty intensity. It’s a very moody and masculine film, and Gutiérrez matches the tone with an equally dark story about a man who, it seems, has been steered toward self-destruction from the beginning. There’s a huge amount of thematic issues raised here, from the war between good and evil, punishment, guilt, greed, class, and the general darkness that can be a part of human nature. Many of the more complex ideas get lost in the film’s second half, when Gutiérrez branches off into genre-blending supernatural horror.
It’s at this point that the film starts to falter, turning towards psychological drama, horror, and surrealism that feels like the result of deciding to value style over substance. This is a great looking film, and there are startling, nightmarish images that you won’t be able to shake. The narrative is the big stumbling block, especially when a weird, out of left field conspiracy story is later revealed. I feel like there was more depth to the story and theming that could’ve been explored, which is disappointing.
Despite it not quite living up to its full potential, “The Wait” has an interesting story and ruggedly beautiful visuals. Plus, the bone-snapping finale is one that will not only make you wince, but will leave you scratching your head and salivating for a robust discussion.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 