Review for Shiver

Shiver

(Eskalofrío)
Dir: Isidro Ortiz(2008)


In recent years, Spanish horror has undergone something of a renaissance. We've seen a wide variety of generally artistically credible, and very successful films emerge from the country, despite it ironically, being crippled by a terrible economy. The standout among the crop has surely been Rec (2007), a terrific Zombie film very much in the vein of The Blair Witch Project, and of course, the seminal Cannibal Holocaust. However, also of note is The Nameless, an earlier slice of Catalan terror filmed in 1999 by Rec director Jaume Balagueró, and based on a Ramsey Campbell tale.

The real catalyst for financial backing of such artistic progress, has been Guillermo Del Toro, Mexican director of Pan's Labyrinth, and The Devil's Backbone. Having made his mark in Hollywood, Del Toro saw fit to produce The Orphanage (2007) and more recently, Julia's Eyes (2010), both tremendously successful slices of sophisticated Spanish shock.

Releases in 2008, Shiver was written and directed by Isidro Ortiz, and is one of several horror projects tackled by the actor/director as he approaches his Fiftieth year.



Julio Valverde plays Santi, a teenager very much of an emo-complexion, who suffers from Photophobia. This condition causes his skin to react to the sun, leaving disfigurement. The condition is severe enough that Santi is forced to stay away from direct sunlight. Encouraged by his doctor, Santi's mom (Mar Sodupe) relocated them to a rather eerie old house in the country, under the dubious pretence that the remote location in the mountains will allow Santi to remain in the shade. It's a little bit of a stretch. Much like in neighbouring French film The Ordeal, the villagers are rather an odd bunch though, and not all of them are friendly. A farmer has been having his animals slaughtered in the night, and before long, it is human bodies that are being left. Suspicion swiftly falls upon newcomer Santi, a weird social outcast, and an obvious suspect. Increasingly, the events centre around Santi, as he tries to uncover what has been happening, before he is the next victim.

It would spoil the plot to explain further. Part of the fun in fright flicks such as Shiver, is the aura of anticipation, and more importantly, the unknown. This movie is no different in that respect. Some of the early scenes are nicely bone-chilling, and offer a great deal of promise.




Unfortunately, Shiver is not the sum of it's parts. Instead, it's a fairly intriguing concept, that becomes rather bog-standard rural horror fare, mid-way through. It's not what one would expect- a terrifying Spanish rural Monster movie. Instead it's a rather ponderous, timid tale about alienation, with the false threat of a monster lurking in the background. As soon as the filmmakers reveal the cause of the horrific attacks, the film loses a huge degree of it's suspense. This also occurs far too early, resulting in a stretch half-way though that saw this viewer really keen to have them move on and resolve it, rather than be in suspense over what was happening. In spite of this derailment, one notable scene does manage to achieve a genuinely chilling atmosphere. Left alone for the night (yes, despite the murders occurring, and Santi being directly implicated and at risk of being next, his mother leaves him in their remote farm-house), Santi is tormented and sleeps on the sofa. But when he wakes, he is not alone…

It's an accomplished, well filmed sequence that really hints at what the film could have been.

Fortunately, the final act does redeem itself somewhat, with a frenzy of activity. Bringing to mind such varied pictures as Frankenstein, The Devil's Backbone, and The Abandoned, Ortiz strings together his explanations and conclusions very ell indeed. It would all be very satisfying as the final credits roll, if not for a really daft epilogue that provokes groans rather than fear. It's a real pity, as although many will find that much like Jeepers Creepers, the film plays better before discovering what is actually occurring, it is so nicely handled that it cannot fail to please… until the last few seconds.

Regardless, it's a minor quibble when what has come before is considered. Shiver is not a masterpiece by any means, and in no way as memorable as some of it's recent peers. At the same time, it's still miles ahead of the standard American fare churned out, and for that alone, should be applauded.

Likewise, the performances are inspired throughout. Really, everybody impresses, with nicely drawn characters that neither insult the intelligence, nor feel like cardboard stock. Young Valverde is an arresting lead, carrying the film in a role that could have easily resulted in a really dour, deflating performance. Interestingly, he also played the character named Santi in The Devil's Backbone, and was a compelling physical presence, even as a young boy.



Second Sight's DVD release features no extra features whatsoever, which is a big disappointment, and in 2011, completely unacceptable. A handful of bonus features, however small, would have really helped add some insight to a movie that surely has more depth and intrigue than one would first assume, judging by the plot.

Had Ortiz committed more resolutely to either one of the directions in which he could have went in, Shiver could have been a truly great modern horror film. Essentially this is a movie of two halves, neither of which sit particularly well together, and instead actually dilute the overall impact. The film though, does succeed in providing a resolution that somehow manages to be grim, modern and horrific enough to certainly make this an effort worth shivering over.