Psychological terror and unrelenting malice fills the cold, dark heart of “You’re Not Me,” a tense holiday thriller from co-directors Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera. This sinister story of family estrangement and wicked cruelty is weighted down by in-your-face social commentary, but the film has a thought-provoking message that’s wrapped in an outer shell of modern horror.
Aitana (Roser Tapias), along with her wife Gabi (Yapoena Silva), have made a surprise visit back home to her parents’ opulent, gated mansion for the holidays. They certainly didn’t expect the chilly reception from the family, especially since they have their newly adopted son in tow. In what may be a yuletide tradition in estranged families, typical hot-button issues arise, arguments ensue, and insults are hurled. Things grow worse when Aitana discovers that her mother and father have taken in a wayward Romanian refugee, Nadia (Anna Kurikka), who has become a stand-in for the daughter they’ve always wanted. In fact, Nadia has all but replaced Aitana in their home, sleeping in her old bedroom and wearing her clothes. It gets even worse when she learns the family’s traditional Christmas dinner has been replaced with a lavish dinner party featuring a group of strangers, which sets in motion the discovery of a disturbing (and bloody) truth.
Crespo and Romera are skilled at building tension, and the entire film is unsettling from start to finish. The dialogue grows increasingly disturbing, especially in relation to Aitana’s wheelchair-bound brother and their discussions about him regularly talking to their dead grandpa.
The theming and messaging are heavy-handed, with forceful critiques on class, control, social status, family dynamics, and the hatred of “the other.” There are so many metaphors that the film becomes burdened by them, which makes the horrific nature of the off-the-rails ending feel out of place.
The film could be shorter and tighter, and its sparse idea for a story is drawn out too much and overstays its welcome. But with a strong lead performance and well-utilized shades of “Get Out,” “You’re Not Me” is social commentary horror that drives its point home.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 