Para Elisa is a Spanish horror-thriller movie released in 2012. Directed by Juanra Fernández, it stars Ana Turpin, Ona Casamiquela, and Luisa Gavasa. The story revolves around a young piano student, Ana, who accepts a job to babysit for a wealthy and eccentric woman named Diamantina. Diamantina lives in a decrepit mansion and is obsessed with her deceased daughter, Elisa, who was also a piano student but died mysteriously. Diamantina's only condition is that Ana must play Elisa's piano pieces exactly as Elisa played them.
As the night progresses, Ana realizes that she has been lured into a trap when Diamantina and her two accomplices, Sonia and Lola, lock her in the mansion. Ana is horrified to discover that Diamantina's plan is to keep her captive for nine months and force her to carry and give birth to a child, just like her daughter did years ago. The three women believe that the child will keep Elisa's spirit alive and bring her back to life.
The movie perfectly blends psychological horror and thriller elements. It depicts how an innocent girl, who just wanted to make some quick money, gets trapped in a nightmarish situation. The mansion becomes a labyrinth, and Ana keeps encountering strange happenings at every turn. Her sanity, beliefs, and fears are constantly challenged as she tries to find a way out of the mansion.
The cinematography is excellent, and the visual effects are used only when needed. The dark and engulfing atmosphere of the mansion coupled with the eerie soundtrack creates an unsettling feeling in the audience's minds. The director keeps the suspense high and induces fear without going overboard with blood and gore.
The performances by the cast are remarkable, particularly Ana Turpin's portrayal of Ana, the protagonist. She delivers a realistic and natural performance, capturing the terror and desperation of her character. Ona Casamiquela's portrayal of the menacing Diamantina is a standout performance. Her calm demeanor and coldness instill fear in the audience as she calmly explains the rituals for the child's birth.
In conclusion, Para Elisa is a chilling movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a blend of horror and thriller that works seamlessly. The storyline is well-written, and the performances by the cast are exceptional. It's not a movie for the faint-hearted, but if you're a fan of psychological horror, you won't regret watching this one.
Para Elisa is a 2012 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.
