| The Wailing | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El llanto |
| Directed by | Pedro Martín-Calero |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Constanza Sandoval |
| Edited by | Victoria Lammers |
| Music by | Olivier Arson |
| Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Universal Pictures International Spain (es) |
| Release dates |
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| Countries |
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| Language | Spanish |
The Wailing (Spanish: El llanto) is a 2024 psychological horror film directed by Pedro Martín-Calero and written by Martín Calero and Isabel Peña. It stars Ester Expósito, Mathilde Ollivier, and Malena Villa.
Plot
The plot follows Andrea, haunted by an invisible presence. 20 years before, the same happened to Marie.
Cast
- Ester Expósito as Andrea
- Mathilde Ollivier as Marie
- Malena Villa [es] as Camila
- Àlex Monner as Pau
- Sonia Almarcha as Mercedes
- Tomás del Estal as Gonzalo
Production
The screenplay was written by Pedro Martín-Calero and Isabel Peña. The helmers sought to connect their film with the literature of Mariana Enríquez. The film, Martín-Calero's debut feature, is a Spanish-Argentine-French co-production by Caballo Films, Setembro Cine, Tandem Films, Tarea Fina, Noodles Productions and El llanto AIE, with participation of RTVE and Amazon Prime Video and funding from ICAA, the Madrid regional administration, and Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Filming began in mid February 2023.
Release
The Wailing had its world premiere in the official competition of the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 25 September 2024. It also made to the slate of the 57th Sitges Film Festival, the 68th BFI London Film Festival, and the 69th Valladolid International Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released theatrically in Spain on 25 October 2024 by Universal Pictures International Spain.
Reception
Jonathan Romney of ScreenDaily wrote that "a strong feminist angle gives the film a powerful currency" "and the three young leads are compelling in different ways".
Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas gave the film 60 points ('acceptable'), praising "the performances, the atmosphere and the directing job" but pointing out as its main flaw the screenplay "that is not clear about where it is going... or at least how to guide the viewers to the final conclusion".
Andrea G. Bermejo of Cinemanía rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, considering that the viewer will have a great time with this "elevated horror" reminiscent of It Follows "featuring an underlying thesis about violence against women".
Fausto Fernández of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, praising the three lead actresses' performances as the film's best while mentioning how the film has a hard time getting started and engaging the viewer as its worst.
Desirée de Fez of El Periódico de Catalunya rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, deeming it to be unusual both in its ambition and on a structural and visual level.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival | Golden Shell | Nominated | ||
| Silver Shell for Best Director | Pedro Martín-Calero | Won | |||
| 2025 | 39th Goya Awards | Best New Director | Pedro Martín-Calero | Pending | |
See also
References
- Velasco, Marina (3 April 2024). "La película con la que Ester Expósito vuelve al terror psicológico: la historia tiene a la coguionista habitual de Rodrigo Sorogoyen". El Confidencial.
- ^ "Se rueda 'El llanto', primer largometraje de Pedro Martín-Calero, con guion de Isabel Peña". Audiovisual451. 17 February 2023.
- ^ Rivera, Alfonso (6 March 2023). "El llanto de Pedro Martín-Calero ya se escucha en Madrid y Buenos Aires". Cineuropa.
- ^ Romney, Jonathan (25 September 2024). "'The Wailing': San Sebastian Review". ScreenDaily.
- ^ González, María (26 October 2024). "El llanto: todo sobre la película de terror protagonizada por Ester Expósito". GQ.
- Aller, María (17 February 2023). "Ester Expósito rueda 'El llanto', su nueva película de terror escrita por la guionista de 'As bestas'". Fotogramas.
- Belinchón, Gregorio (26 September 2024). "'El llanto', la película española a concurso en el festival de San Sebastián que se sumerge en el terror del patriarcado". El País.
- "Isabel Peña coescribe con Pedro Martín-Calero "El llanto", debut del pucelano". La Vanguardia. 17 February 2023.
- Hopewell, John (16 February 2023). "'Elite's' Ester Exposito Stars in 'The Wailing,' From Film Factory (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- Hopewell, John; Lang, Jamie (12 July 2024). "San Sebastian Unveils Spanish Titles, Led by an Ester Expósito Chiller, New Pics From Albert Serra, Iciar Bollaín, Pilar Palomero". Variety.
- "Nacho Vigalondo, Marc Recha i Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, al Festival de Sitges". Ara. 5 September 2024.
- Tabbara, Mona (4 September 2024). "BFI London Film Festival unveils full 2024 line-up". ScreenDaily.
- Rodríguez, M. (18 October 2024). "50 cosas que hay que saber para disfrutar de la Seminci". El Día de Valladolid.
- "Primer tráiler de 'El llanto', la película de terror con Ester Expósito coescrita por Isabel Peña, guionista de 'As bestas'". Cine con Ñ. 5 June 2024.
- Hernández Luján, Raquel (22 October 2024). "Crítica de El llanto, una cinta de terror muy bien planificada aunque de resolución incomprensible". HobbyConsolas.
- Bermejo, Andrea G. (24 October 2024). "Crítica de 'El llanto', con Ester Expósito: una ópera prima exquisita con tesis de fondo sobre la violencia a las mujeres". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
- Fernández, Fausto (25 October 2024). "Crítica de 'El llanto', Ester Expósito se consagra como la reina del grito del cine español". Fotogramas.
- de Fez, Desirée (24 October 2024). "Crítica de la película 'El llanto': la imagen maldita". El Periódico de Catalunya. Prensa Ibérica.
- Lodge, Guy (28 September 2024). "San Sebastián Film Festival Award Winners (Updating Live)". Variety.
- Partearroyo, Daniel de (18 December 2024). "Premios Goya 2025: 'El 47' domina con 14 nominaciones, seguida de 'La infiltrada'". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
External links
- The Wailing at IMDb