Atrocious

Starring: Cristian Valencia, Clara Moraleda, Chus Pereiro, Jose Masegosa

Synopsis:

In the spring of 2010, the Quintanilla family travelled to their old rural family farmhouse near Sitges, Spain for a quiet break together during the Easter holiday. To pass the time and to amuse themselves, teenage siblings Christian and July set about investigating a local urban legend, that of The Girl Of Garraf Woods, relating to a series of hauntings and ghostly goings-on in a wooded labyrinth in a gated property near to their house. The pair decided to document their day-to-day adventures and their findings on video with the intention of posting the footage online at a later date.

Five days later, on 4th April 2010, the bodies of the Quintanilla family were found in the farmhouse, the members having died in extremely mysterious circumstances. In the aftermath, the police identified and reported the existence of 37 hours of recorded material relating to the events leading up to the grisly discovery. Atrocious finally reveals the shocking authentic footage of what really took place during those tragic five days.

Don’t worry, the above synopsis doesn’t actually contain any spoilers as the film begins with the crime scene, then “rewinds the tape” to introduce our eponymous heroes, Christian and July, who’ve previously made a couple of online videos about urban legends, and have decided to use their enforced vacation to their old family home as an opportunity to look into another.

The footage begins innocuously enough – the family settling in to the house, Christian and July exploring and unlocking forgotten memories of their early childhood. They also meet up with their father’s old friend, Carlos, who’s been renovating the house for them.

The house backs onto an ancient labyrinth, in which it is very easy to become lost. When they mention it, their father suddenly becomes agitated and forbids them to film there...hmm...Shortly afterwards, Christian starts hearing noises from outside...all i could hear was their dog, Ruby, barking...hmmm...

When their dad has to go to Madrid, the kids use the opportunity to sneak into the cellar, another area they were told not to enter. They find a number of old toys, antique mirrors and ornaments, and an old tv and vcr, which they use to watch a couple of horror movies.

So far, so ok...at least the quality of the camerawork is pretty good, with Christian and July reasonably experienced in using them and holding them steady...until they go into the labyrinth. At around the 40 minute mark, the film takes a very dark turn, which sees Christian and July chasing their mother into the maze, who is panic-stricken. Suddenly we’re introduced to the worst aspect of any such “found footage movie” – the SHAKY-CAM. Prepare for some serious motion sickness here, mixed with the growing dread at what you’re going to see any second...

The final 30 minutes of the film are incredibly tense, using mostly sound effects and the palpable fear of the protagonists to keep the heart racing.

Just for a moment, you’re left wondering if the film is actually going to explain itself, as the footage cuts off just before the Big Reveal – in fact it does just enough to make you jump the wrong way in your conclusions, then gives you the aftermath news reports, before finally showing those final, shocking moment.

In his review for Troll Hunter, reviewer Outlaw Vern made this comment about the found footage genre:

“So it’s first time actors pretending to be non-actors trying to catch something on tape and we’re supposed to sit at home watching it and pretending we think it’s real so we can be scared if they “happen” to catch something scary blurred out on the camera for like 2 seconds.”

That pretty much sums up Atrocious , but doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. As I said, the ending was pretty surprising and there is a lot of atmosphere to keep you watching.

Verdict:

The “found footage” genre has it’s detractors to be sure, and there is nothing here which is going to sway you if you’re so inclined. If you can get past the lengthy shakycam sequence in the labyrinth, then this is a very tense film with a kicker ending.

7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)

You can find the film's official website here , where you can find details on a competition to win a camcorder

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