Director: Sergi Vizcaino,
Starring: Amaia Salamanca, Maxi Iglesias, Lucho Fernandez, Alba Ribas, Ursula Corbero, Oscar Sinela, Manuel de Blas,
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Certificate: 18
This spooky Spanish slasher proudly declares itself as a 3D experience, or should that be ‘Xperience’? Luckily for anyone without a 3D TV and Blu-ray player, the film certainly has a lot going for it in other areas as well. The plot come second to the situations characters find themselves in, as a group of students must investigate paranormal goings on in an area once targeted by a twisted serial killer. Forced into it, because their grades depend on it, the group soon find that there’s more in store than they bargained for.
The plot isn’t going to grab any naysayers, nor is the title’s blatant play on the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise, but what should be celebrated is the attention to the leads. Sure they’re surrounded by generic bitch Belen (Corbero), macho jock Carlos (Fernandez), tech geek Toni (Sinela) and sensitive handsome guy Jose (Iglesias), but the central sister combo of Angela (Salamanca) and Diana (Ribas) have a lot to work with. The pair are giving a mysterious and traumatic childhood, which makes the horror scenes more powerful as well as explaining the paralysing fear where characters fail to act. It also plays with the idea that perhaps the events materialise as an external representation of their past fears.
On the flipside, the film really pushes the whole 3D aspect to a point where it distracts from a genuinely heartfelt relationship. For no reason CGI rats appear so they can be kicked at the audience, and a lengthy hypnosis scene has swirly images come towards us. The needless exploitative CG is even introduced to disturbing flashbacks, where an abusive father reaches out of the screen. Whether you watch this in 3D or 2D, these elements detract from the core
The film follows very similar beats, but does contain a few surprises buried below its strict formula. Performances are fine, and the not-3D effects work very well, especially in crisp HD. For a gruesome slasher, the film also shows a fair degree of restraint, sometimes showing graphic kills, sometimes obscuring them, and sometimes teasing with a “will they, won’t they” approach.
PARANORMAL XPERIENCE is a well-made slasher that contains some deeper elements, but also succumbs to clichés as well. If you’re not one for surprises, you’ll appreciate the effort put in by all involved. Mixing dreams, reality, perspectives, and gore, PARANORMAL XPERIENCE should have spent more time on its interesting subject matter, rather than throwing stuff at the screen.
[usr=3]PARANORMAL XPERIENCE 3D is released on Blu-ray and in 2D on DVD on 24th February via Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment.
