Plot Overview
Mariana (Ximena Sariñana) is a dedicated mother who moves into one of her family’s old homes to provide her daughter, Lola (Camila Núñez) , with autism, an unorthodox and rather challenging treatment. Lola is seen to communicate using methods that were considered to be impossible in the past, This form of therapy is revolutionary and, at least in the beginning, seems nothing short of a miracle. But, as it unfolds, it becomes obvious that this ability did not come about purely organically, The line between flesh and spirit blurs, and she turns out to have a dreadfully abusive relationship with the spirits that reside inside the house. These entities pull the family within their vicious cycle but it is not without extracting revenge first for the past sins of Mariana and Lola.
Themes and Social Commentary
“Las Tias” showcases, at its core, the idea of maternal love. Mariana becomes both an inspiration and a tragedy since at all times she seems determined to do anything which would help her daughter. The picture also hints at the possible difficulties of upbringing a child with special needs, shedding light on Mariana, but doing it with genuine understanding of her hardships.
The manifestations appearing in the film are clothed in allegories concerning trauma and the burden posed by family secrets. It is obvious that ‘Worm’ means the ghosts that torment Lola and, to some extent, Mariana, as it is difficult to elude the past in families that are, as they are within this context, overpowering.
Performances
- Ximena Sariñana delivers a powerful performance as Mariana, capturing the character’s vulnerability, resilience, and desperation. Known for her musical career, Sariñana surprises audiences with her depth and emotional range in this dramatic role.
- Camila Núñez, as Lola, offers a haunting portrayal of a child caught between two worlds. Her performance is both chilling and heartbreaking, as she becomes the medium for the spirits’ messages.
- The supporting cast, including Diego Klein and Roberto Quijano, add layers to the narrative, bringing tension and depth to the film.
Direction and Cinematography
Felipe Martínez Amador maintains the tension throughout the movie and makes the best use of the frightening ambience of the family house. The camera work does justice with the horror effect cinematography, poorly lit areas, cramped corridors and the psychological stress very effectively serves the purpose. Last but not the least, the score of the film deserves separate praise as it is very unsettling and effective in the use of silence to raise terror.
Cultural and Critical Reception
““Las Tías” hizo su estreno en México en el Festival Macabro de Terror en Cine y Video con excelentes criticas y estuvo en la posibilidad de fusionar el género del horror con una historia de un contenido emocional profundo. El público ha takenained the focus on motherhood and the influence of certain elements of Mexican culture in the world around the film.
Con el mismo quality of plot this film resorts to a different approach; it is more mental. Feeling & feelings are primary in the US borderline and A24 horror which is why many who liked The Babadook and Hereditary will be curious to watch it.
Where to Watch
After finishing its circuit of festivals, “Las Tías” was made available for online streaming in September 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. The film has been promoted as one every admirer of intelligent horror and emotional-centered stories should add to their watch list.
Why You Should Watch
If you are looking for themes that are more than just jump scares, then ‘Las Tias’ is a good option. It is a film that sticks with the viewer, providing both horrific chills as well as strong psychological impact. The genre of supernatural horror with mother-daughter narrative is certainly a unique story to tell.
For those who love the genre of supernatural films with a little bit of dramatic elements to them, ‘Las Tias’ is hauntingly moving and beautiful which should be experienced at least once in one’s life.
