In the waning years of Francoist Spain, deep in the Andalusian countryside, Eladio (Víctor Clavijo) takes a job as the groundskeeper of a hunting estate owned by the power Don Francisco (Pedro Casablanc).  Eladio convinces his wife, Marcia (Ruth Díaz), to live there claiming they’ll only be there are short time saving up money. She grudgingly agrees despite her concerns about the affects it’ll have on them and their son, Floren (Moisés Ruiz). Three years pass, and things go from bad to worse to even worse thereafter. That’s the setup of The Wait (La Espera), an elegant folk horror film, which is crafted by F. Javier Gutiérrez who sure-handedly writes, directs and edits the film.

The film has a methodical, brooding pace. Its tension is buoyed by the dulcet droning score composed by Zeltia Montes. Having gone into this screening fairly blind the events set up hit faster and harder than expected making it a relentless experience that kept me riveted.

A great portion of the film is played without dialogue and hinges on the performance of Víctor Clavijo who delivers a true tour-de-force. His character is put through the wringer and vacillates between wanting to give up and finding something else to fight for. He plays those extremes and notes in the middle with virtuosity, making him an identifiable and relatable character whatever you think his faults may be. 

The Wait (La Espera) is an outstanding film that contains payoff after gut-punching payoff. Set-pieces that are testaments to the fact that execution can be more important than unpredictability. It assuredly takes you deeper into maddening world whose rules communicate themselves visually rather than with pedantic exposition and still creates a coherent, harrowing vision. 

In a year of outstanding horror films The Wait (La Espera) vaults itself near the top, alongside more renowned titles such as Longlegs and Immaculate if not atop the list outright. This is a film worth putting on your radar. 

It arrives on VOD and for digital purchase on 10/4/2024.