Missing females…Haunted houses…sporadic thunderstorms? Sounds like a generic horror flick, looks like a generic horror flick, but in truth Andres Baiz début feature is far from orthodox. A bit like its protagonist, Adrian (Quim Gutierrez), THE HIDDEN FACE is dark and pouting from the outside, but within lies far more significance.

Reading the plot synopsis of the first half would flow very much like a modern update of de Maurier’s Rebecca. After meeting in the bar where she works, young, attractive Fabiana (Martina García) finds herself involved with a wealthy and mysterious Adrian (this time an orchestra conductor). Nights of passion lead to her move into his luxury, riverside mansion; however (would you believe it) the house or Adrian himself aren’t as perfect as they seem. The spooks and bumps of the house are compounded by the fact that Adrian’s former girlfriend is missing and still to be found and…he’s a suspect! All is not as it seems, but who cares when they can brood and pout the night away.

If anyone ever doubted Almodovar’s contribution to Spanish cinema, this film would be the one to watch. Intentionally melodramatic and overwrought, the intensely dislikeable characters live out their embellished romance amidst the sweeping orchestral scores. The sense of intrigue could not be more overplayed. Yet as the twist kicks in half-way through, the superficial lining is shown to possess real darkness and potency. We move from the position of victim of the bumps and scares, to their reluctant instigator and voyeur; and, believe me, the latter turns out to be far more sinister. At times the film could be accused of not pushing its convictions far enough; but there is enough in Biaz’s film to stoke the imagination, and give you another reason to fear those inexplicable creeks of the night.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG2aosEpQMs