Shrew`s Nest - Blu-ray

Movie: Spain in the 1950s: dressmaker Montse (Macarena Gómez) sacrificially cares for her little sister (Nadia de Santiago). After her mother supposedly died giving birth to her and her domineering father (Luis Tosar) disappeared years ago, Montse is all the girl has left. For the strictly religious Montse, her sister is an important support in a world in which she cannot find her way. For Montse suffers from extreme agoraphobia and therefore cannot leave her apartment. But slowly her sister grows up and escapes her loving, but also strict grip. But then something unexpected happens: her upstairs neighbor Carlos (Hugo Silva) falls in the stairwell. Montse moves him into her apartment and begins nursing him back to health. For the first time in her life, she develops such intense feelings for a man that she would even be willing to face her fears. But then Carlos begins to show interest in her sister.

Shrew`s Nest makes use of some very familiar devices dramaturgically. At some points, memories of the Stephen King works She and Carrie in particular come to mind. But also other genre representatives are obviously quoted here. And yet, the thriller never seems like a copy, but skilfully manages to build up its own oppressive atmosphere. Easily, the character of Montse could have become a very one-dimensional character, with whom one hardly feels sympathy as a viewer. However, Macarena Gómez's convincing performance ensures that Montse becomes an extremely interesting, tragic character with fascinating but also terrifying depths. And this makes the film really exciting even in its more tame moments.

For despite the many well-done, atmospherically tightly staged scenes, it cannot be denied that there are also those moments in the story that don't really want to ignite. This is either because they just don't move the story forward or because they just go around in circles in terms of dramaturgy. Thereby, there are some small, but still noticeable lenghts, which tarnish the overall very positive impression a little bit. Only the finale can make up a lot of ground.

It should be revealed here, of course, nothing about the final twist. Only this much: Even if it is not quite as surprising as the makers probably intended, the end is really effective through the convincing play of all involved and through the direction of Juan Fernando Andrés and Esteban Roel. As a result, the film is unable to release its viewers from its tight grip, even until after its finale. And that is an effect that one would absolutely want for a work of this genre. Therefore, despite some lengths and a certain predictability, the bottom line is a very clear: Worth seeing!!!

Picture + Sound: In the numerous dark scenes, there are a few small weaknesses in the representation of details. Otherwise, however, the Blu-ray's picture is convincing with atmospheric coloration, good black level matching, and decent overall sharpness. The audio captures the gritty atmosphere of the film very well. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, while very subdued overall, renders the dialogue, music, and minor sound effects in a coherent manner, and even through that, gives you a little goosebumps here and there. Good!

Extras: In addition to a good, but unfortunately far too short Making of (approx. 9:34 min.), the Blu-ray has some cut scenes (approx. 11:39 min.) and an alternative (primarily recut and slightly extended) ending (approx. 5:53 min.) to offer. Plus the trailer and other programming tips.

Conclusion: Shrew`s Nest is a depressing chamber drama that in places resembles a cross between Stephen King`s She and Carrie, while also building an atmosphere all its own, culminating in a finale that is not entirely surprising, but exceedingly effective. Here and there the production feels a wee bit plodding, but this is then made up for by the well-placed moments of psychological tension. The Blu-ray presents the thriller in coherent picture and sound quality. The extras are quantitatively manageable, but qualitatively convincing. Overall, therefore, a clear: Recommended!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp