Penumbra: A Haughty Demeanor Won't Save you From Crazy Cultists

Written & Directed By: Adrian & Ramiro Garcia Bogliano

Penumbra On The IFC Site

Perhaps it's the climate. Perhaps the presence of some of the most beautiful women in the world that leads to such a laid back demeanor. Whatever the reason (and granted I have limited exposure in this area), horror films from Argentina imbue grim subject matters with a sense of whimsy and fun that stands in marked contrast to what usually arrives on my doorstep. Penumbra, now available VOD via IFC Midnight, is the latest example.

Margo (Cristina Brondo) wishes to unload her unused apartment as quick as possible. When her twitchy realtor Jorge (Berta Muniz) offers her four times the asking price if the deal can be closed within an hour, her greed and desire for a quick buck outweigh the common sense alarm bell ringing in her head warning her something is amiss. As they wait on the arrival of the contracts and the client, the mysterious Salva. While the rest of the city awaits the upcoming solar eclipse, Margo, Jorge and an increasing gang of weirdoes and miscreants engage in their own odd ballet in the apartment. Despite a startling number of strange noises and odd coincidences, along with the sketchy vibe Jorge and his compatriots give off, Margo is in it for the cash, and is determined to see things through.

Don't let the film's poster and trailer fool you. While this looks like standard torture porn gussied up with sexy South American accents, the film plays displays a more lighthearted, comedic flair. I'm not sure why marketing still feels the need to push this angle as it has played itself out, and genre fans have by and large turned their back on torture for torture's sake. The Saw films died on the vine three years ago as returns petered out with each installment and the Hostel films have been relegated to straight-to-video status after the second one laid a turd burger in theaters. Nevertheless, Penumbra's trailer gives off a strong whiff of The Strangers. The film feels a heck of a lot more like the under appreciated Bill Murray classic The Man Who Knew Too Little than any of the films referenced above. The film's score goes a long way towards establishing the lighter tone. Tense moments are accompanied by an upbeat jazz score with only faint hints of the harsh strings normally found in this fare.

It could be my warped sense of humor but I appreciated the vibe of the film. It may drive less patient fans nuts, as the first sixty minutes of the ninety minute runtime focuses on a Margo counting dollars in her head, blissfully unaware of any danger while the intruders shoot each other furtive glances and try to figure out the best way to be rid of her. Most of this section consists of Margo teetering close to the truth while her guests think fast on their feet and invent stories about similar real estate deals or give their best reassurances that the contracts and client are both on their way. The almost languid way Margo goes about her routine-calling clients, berating coworkers, blowing off her kindly neighbor and setting up a late night romance with her married lover-contrast the increasing sense of frustration and panic the strangers struggle to conceal. Their once in a life time plan that has the narrowest of windows of opportunity is threatened by this unaware interloper they never accounted for. Meanwhile, smaller, seemingly innocuous acts-Jorge uses up Margo's cell phone credit, Margo can't find her keys, two of the new arrivals lie about not carrying in boxes with them-all seem harmless at face value but are all means to the group's sinister end.

Even when the third act kicks into overdrive with the best decapitation this side of Betsy Palmer, the hostage takers make the whole “kidnapping and ritual sacrifice” experience a pleasant affair. Poor Margo's only mistake, aside from being a self consumed she-bitch, is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The last act does have some nice tense moments to it, and there's a great payoff to the film that I won't spoil here.

It helps that Brondo gives a fantastic performance as an uptight, bitchy type-A personality who has a sneering contempt for anyone she deems beneath her-in this case the real estate agent, coworkers, her elderly neighbor and the homeless man that asks for change. You can't help but wish for terrible things to happen to her. In her own mind she's the queen bee, and everyone should treat her accordingly. It makes own insignificance with regards to the final act all the more humorous. She has the gumption to feign outrage on a call when a coworker insinuates she sleeps with her clients while keeping her top one on the other line so she can book a midnight “appointment” at his hotel room. In one amazing scene she retaliates against a homeless man who catcalls her by tasering him into a stupor, then launching into a vicious speech about how the homeless are the cockroaches of the earth while bystanders listen in horror at her unhinged speech. Despite the latex thin veneer of politeness she affords her house guests, her grasping, greedy natures bubbles just under the surface, and the intruders exploit this weakness to a “T”. You can't help but hate her, but you can't take your eyes off her either. It's a standout performance and kudos go to Brondo for milking the role for all it was worth. I'd love to see more of her, and I'm not just referring to more scenes with her tied up in a chair with her clothing torn open and her bosom oiled up. Though now that you mention it...

If I had to sum up Penumbra with one word it would be: “Pleasant”. I don't know if that's enough for most horror fans who might find the proceedings too slow and exasperating. I had a blast with the film. I'm all for films going the quirky route, and every now and then you need something that's a bit more whimsical without going the rom-com route. If you're looking for a good double feature, pair this film with Ti West's The Innkeepers and settle in for a night that leans more towards humor than horror.

Penumbra is now available through various Video-On-Demand services.