The feature debut by Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo delivers a supernatural thriller that evokes the secret society themes behind many of David Cronenberg’s films. But this story of people endowed with preternatural luck, who can also rob others of their fortune, eschews visceral horror in favor of a visual polish that moves quickly and hop-frogs from one setup to another with élan (one great scene has blindfolded contestants seeing who is luckiest by running full tilt through a tree-crowded forest — the winner being the last person standing who didn’t smash into a tree trunk). Maybe it’s spiritual cousin is closer to Brian DePalma, which would explain why the incredible visuals sometime seem to outpace narrative elements of the story but, either way, it provides an exhilarating ride. Lion’s Gate had the good sense to pick up this hot property — so look for it at a theater near you within the year.
Intacto
***published January 22, 2002