Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    HORRORSCREAMS VIDEOVAULT – SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT HORROR
    • Home
    • Film Reviews
      • Films Beginning With Numbers or Symbols
      • A – C
      • D – F
      • G – I
      • J – L
      • M – O
      • P – R
      • S – U
      • V – X
      • Y – Z
    • Book Reviews
    • Franchise Corner
    • Competitions
    • Horror Screams Podcast
    • Contact Us
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    HORRORSCREAMS VIDEOVAULT – SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT HORROR

    Film Review: ROPES (a.k.a. Cordes / Prey) (2019)

    Steven WestBy Steven West9th October 2020No Comments2 Mins Read

    ROPES (a.k.a. Cordes / Prey) *** Spain 2019 Dir: Jose Luis Montesinos. 87 mins

    The feature debut for director Jose Luis Montesinos at first appears to be a hybrid of CUJO and the old fashioned thriller trope of a physically disabled, lone woman fighting for survival in her own home against an unexpected enemy.

    Paula Del Rio impresses as a suicidal, paralysed teenager still harbouring overwhelming guilt for the car crash that killed her sister (also Del Rio) and in which she was the driver. Her dad (Miguel Angel Jenner), himself a recovering alcoholic with a lot to prove, has outfitted their remote country home to assist with her condition but is out of the picture when their loyal dog Athos is bitten by a bat and becomes ever more aggressive.

    As per one of the film’s English language titles, much of ROPES consists of the quadriplegic Del Rio battling against the increasingly violent Belgian Shepherd with the help of anti-dog barriers, strategically placed ropes – and a loveable, heroic ferret named Luke. As with many movies of this kind, the tiny cast accommodates an entirely disposable secondary character, along with considerable inner turmoil as the heroine’s experience dovetails into her own battle to forgive herself for the family tragedy.

    The dog attacks are well done – including a suspenseful sequence with a stair lift – and there are a couple of effective scares. The convincing, at times boldly unlikeable Del Rio sells the intensity of both her character and the scenario. Alas, the emotional journey toward closure and reconciliation (partly facilitated by conversations with her dead sister) feels cliched, ultimately detracting from the suspense of the straight forward high concept.

    Review by Steven West

     

    Facebook0Like0Share0Tweet0Pin0
    bat cordes Cujo Drama Grimmfest Grimmfest Film Festival hero ferret Horror jose luis montesinos killer dog paralysis Paula Del Rio Prey Ropes spanish Thriller

    Related Posts

    Film Review: ENDANGERED SPECIES (2021)

    16th May 202203 Mins Read
    Read More

    Film Review: REPRESSION (a.k.a. Marionette) (2020)

    10th May 202204 Mins Read
    Read More

    Film Review: A FERAL WORLD (2020)

    10th May 202203 Mins Read
    Read More

    Second Sight Films release Lake Mungo on Standard Edition Blu-ray

    3rd May 202202 Mins Read
    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Search The Website
    Recent Posts
    • North American Trailer Released For ‘Hollow’ Ahead Of Its Release on VOD & DVD
    • Wyrmwood: Apocalypse the Zombie thrill-ride sequel gets Home Entertainment release this May
    • HORROR SCREAMS PODCAST: Episode 29 – I Walked With ROB ZOMBIE
    • Film Review: ENDANGERED SPECIES (2021)
    • Film Review: JAKOB’S WIFE (2021)
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.