Film Guide

[REC] is the much-hyped story of Spanish TV reporter Angela, whose show “While You Sleep” decides to follow a group of Barcelona firemen through their night shift. Not a lot seems to be happening and Angela is struggling to get enough material, when a call comes in; a report of a screaming woman in an apartment block. Angela, her Cameraman and two firefighters are dispatched to the emergency. It sounds like its going to be a routine call and they hook up with two policemen when they arrive at the apartment. After trying to pick the lock, the firemen decide to use brute force to open the door. They discovered a blood covered, hysterical woman, who, whilst being restrained by the police officers, attacks one, biting a chunk out of his neck.

Rushing the officer downstairs to call for an ambulance, they discovered that the building has been sealed off and they can’t get out. Panic starts to set in, welcome to the beginning of the thrill ride that is [REC].

Essentially a single location movie, [REC]’s main play is in a small apartment building, with a single staircase and nowhere to run or hide. I don’t think there has ever been a better place to locate a zombie outbreak! It’s a perfect set up for the claustrophobic, terror infused journey that follows as we slowly witness the number of infected increase and the survivors slowly dwindle.

[REC] borrows from The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield in its use of a video camera (albeit it operated by a ‘professional’), but manages to nail the concept without millions of dollars of special effects. The superbly crafted plot and careful pacing, with restrained use of frights and gore make [REC] an edge of your seats experience better than anything else I have seen this year.

Being a Spanish movie (with English subtitles) might put some people off, but I think it helps create the atmosphere and keeps you more on edge as you have to concentrate rather than being a passive viewer.

[REC] makes some interesting observations on the human condition, showing how extreme stress uncovers our true character, and how we tend to rust only people we know.

Reviewed by: Jonathan Read.
Rating: R16 – Contains Violence, Offensive Language & Horror.
Duration: 85 mins.
Genre: Horror, Zombie, Foreign, Spanish.
Director: Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza.
Actors: Manuela Velasco, Javier Botet, Manuel Bronchud, Martha Carbonell, Claudia Font, Vicente Gil.
Distributor: Vendetta.
Release Date: Available now.