This is a beautifully crafted film inspired by real events, and it’s often unbearably tense. A French couple relocate to a remote Galician town in search of a closer connection to nature, but a simmering dispute with their neighbours quickly spirals out of control.
The neighbours — the Anta brothers — are hostile, frequently drunk, and determined to get their way, while the French couple refuse to sign away their land. Luis Zahera and Diego Anido are superbly cast as the brothers, radiating menace and unpredictability. Whenever they’re on screen, there’s a constant sense that something terrible is about to happen.
The film makes excellent use of long takes, most notably during an extended bar scene where Antoine shares a drink with the brothers — a masterclass in sustained, nerve-shredding tension.
Without giving anything away, the ending may divide opinion. Some will find it satisfying, but I was left feeling frustrated, even angry. Still, this is a highly recommended thriller that repeatedly cranks the tension up to eleven and refuses to let go.