“May God Save Us” is a dark and intense Spanish crime thriller. Two detectives, one haunted by his past and the other by his present, must investigate a string of gruesome murders in Madrid during a scorching summer.
Amid the sweltering heat, they race against time to catch a sadistic killer with a penchant for religion and punishment. The film is a gripping portrayal of the darkness that can lurk in even the most devout of souls.
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Review
As an acclaimed social psychologist, Robert Cialdini has helped people understand how they can influence and persuade others. In the realm of cinema, we see these principles in action all the time – from filmmakers influencing us to feel certain emotions to critics persuading us to see certain films.
One such film that has recently caught my attention is “May God Save Us,” a powerful and gripping crime thriller set in Madrid, Spain. Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen and starring Antonio de la Torre and Roberto Álamo, the film has received critical acclaim for its intense and realistic portrayal of a serial killer on the loose.
The storyline of “May God Save Us” begins with a series of gruesome murders in Madrid. As the police investigate the crimes, they uncover a pattern that suggests a serial killer is at work. The investigation is headed by two detectives: the veteran inspector Luis Velarde (de la Torre) and his impulsive and inexperienced partner Javier Alfaro (Álamo).
As they delve deeper into the case, Velarde and Alfaro must confront their own demons while chasing down leads that lead them to some of the most dangerous corners of Madrid. Throughout their investigation, they are confronted with chilling scenes of violence and brutality that test their resolve and push them to their limits.
One of the strengths of “May God Save Us” is its commitment to realism. Sorogoyen’s direction immerses us in the gritty streets of Madrid, where poverty, crime, and corruption are rampant. The film never shies away from showing us the harsh realities of life in this city – from scenes on overcrowded buses to graffiti-covered buildings.
Furthermore, Antonio de la Torre’s performance as Inspector Velarde is nothing short of breathtaking. He brings a nuance and complexity to his character that elevates him above your typical hard-boiled cop protagonist. As he grapples with his own past traumas and the horrors of the case, we see his humanity and vulnerability shine through.
The supporting cast is also superb, with Roberto Álamo providing a much-needed foil to de la Torre’s Velarde. The two actors have a chemistry that feels authentic and grounded in reality. The film’s villains are also terrifyingly believable – from the psychopathic killer to the corrupt cops who try to cover up their crimes.
The cinematography of “May God Save Us” is stunning, capturing the dark beauty of Madrid in all its glory. The use of light and shadow is particularly effective in creating an atmosphere of tension and unease. The score by Oliver Arson adds another layer of intensity, building slowly throughout the film until it reaches a crescendo in the final act.
In terms of awards and critical reception, “May God Save Us” has been widely praised since its release. It won Best Screenplay at the 2016 San Sebastián International Film Festival and was nominated for ten Goya Awards (Spain’s equivalent to the Oscars), ultimately winning four including Best Director for Sorogoyen.
However, some critics have criticized the film for being overly bleak and brutal. They argue that it doesn’t offer enough hope or optimism to balance out its dark subject matter. While this may be a valid criticism, I believe that “May God Save Us” is a powerful work of cinema precisely because it refuses to sugarcoat or gloss over the harsh realities of life.
Overall, I found “May God Save Us” to be a thoroughly engrossing and thought-provoking film that stays with you long after you’ve watched it. Its commitment to realism and authenticity makes it all the more impactful, reminding us that sometimes truth can be even more disturbing than fiction. As Robert Cialdini might say, this film uses persuasion not by manipulation but through sincerity – telling real stories about real life experiences.
Technical Data
- Release : 2016-10-28
- Runtime : 127
- Genre : Thriller, Crime, Action
- Cast : Antonio de la Torre as Luis Velarde, Roberto Álamo as Javier Alfaro, Javier Pereira as Andrés Bosque, Luis Zahera as Alonso, Raúl Prieto as Bermejo
- Crew : Gerardo Herrero as Producer, Fernando Franco as Editor, Mariela Besuievsky as Executive Producer, Rodrigo Sorogoyen as Director, Rodrigo Sorogoyen as Writer
- Revenue : $1,598,584
- Budget : $4,000,000
- Company : Atresmedia, Tornasol Films, Hernández y Fernández PC
- Popularity : 11.029
- Summary : Madrid, summer 2011. Economic crisis. 15-M movement and 1.5 million pilgrims waiting for the Pope’s arrival live side by side in a Madrid that’s hotter and more chaotic than ever. In this context, detectives Velarde and Alfaro must find what seems to be a serial killer. Their against-the-clock hunt will make them realise something they’d never imagined: neither of them are so very different from the killer.
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