Sanzaru, a psychological horror movie, is the fascinating exploration of the concept of generational trauma and isolation. It is a hauntingly beautiful film that tells the story through the lens of dark secrets unfold. The movie starts on an acreage ranch house that serves as a place of care for older people named Evelyn (Jayne Taini). She hires a live-in caregiver named Evelyn (Aina Dumlao) to take care of her senile, mute son, Rudy (Jon Viktor Corpuz). Despite the initial discomfort, Evelyn learns to manage her work and gradually to develop a bond with Rudy. However, she quickly realizes that there is something sinister lurking among the shadows.
Evelyn finds that the house is eerie and unsettling, with strange noises emanating from it, and a deep silence around it. The house is, as portrayed in the movie, the very embodiment of despair and loneliness, making it one of the movie's central characters. The viewer is continually on edge, wondering what might be hiding in the shadows, waiting to pounce on poor Evelyn.
The movie's greatest triumph is the deep, understated feeling that permeates every scene of loneliness and isolation. The location ultimately becomes a site of tragedy, with a history of generational abuse, trauma, and neglect. The trauma of past generations is still felt in this place, with all the secrets simmering under a veneer of deception.
Throughout the movie, the director shows glimpses of the past, all of which leads to an emotional revelation that provides Evelyn and Rudy with a sense of closure. It is rare to witness the combination of terror, social relevance, and empathy in a horror movie, and Sanzaru delivers it all.
Evelyn's character is exciting, and Aina Dumlao's performance is remarkable. She shows varying degrees of strength, vulnerability, fear, and tenderness as she attempts to deal with the unsettling occurrences around her. The supporting cast also delivers spot-on performances, particularly Justin Arnold, who plays the part of Marcus, Rudy's nephew exploring the family's traumatic past. Matthew Albrecht's portrayal of Marcus's dad is an excellent representation of the humanity behind the story, and echoes the woes of many people undergoing similar cycles of abuse.
The cinematography is stunning, particularly the stunning scenic beauty surrounding the house. It provides the impression of a wasteland, filled with disillusionment, sadness, and despair. It is not just a perfectly shot movie; it is an art piece that conceals the sense of desolation and loss.
The use of eerie music and sound effects creates an atmosphere of foreboding and dread. The silence, coupled with the distant, haunting sounds, builds a sense of atmosphere that makes it difficult to look away from what is happening onscreen.
The plot may seem slow-paced to some viewers, with some scenes dragging on a bit too long. Still, director Xia Magnus smartly uses those scenes to develop the characters and the plot, adding to the sense of isolation and dread that the movie is trying to communicate. The plot's final act is emotionally charged and serves as a satisfying end to the various plotlines that have been building throughout the film.
In conclusion, while Sanzaru may not be the typical horror movie that people expect, with jump scares galore and gore-filled scenes, it is still an exceptional film. It is an intelligently crafted movie that shines a light on generational trauma and the danger of suppression and denial. One can safely say that Sanzaru is a masterful example of the psychological horror film genre. It is an incredibly moving, enigmatic film that draws you in and keeps you on edge until the very end. Indeed, a movie that horror fans will appreciate, and engrossed them to consider more significant issues hidden behind the mind-bending plot and impressive performances.
Sanzaru is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.
