The Hidden Face (2011)

Director: Andrés Baiz

Starring: Quim Gutiérrez, Martina Garcia, María Soledad Rodríguez

Shattered by the unexpected news of their irreversible break-up, an aspiring orchestra conductor is puzzled by his girlfriend’s mysterious and seemingly inexplicable case of disappearance. But can he look beyond the facts?

Waitress Fabiana meets Adrian in a bar where he seems to be drinking away his sorrows. Too drunk to drive, Fabiana drives him to her place, where he spends the night. They start seeing each other, and Fabiana eventually moves in with Adrian in a house he is renting.

According to Adrian his girlfriend Belen left him for another man, but when detectives come knocking enquiring about Belen’s disappearance, Fabiana starts to doubt Adrian’s story. From the very beginning there is something very mysterious about Adrian.

Almost halfway through, the film goes back in time to show us how the trouble started between Adrian and Belen, and the events leading up to her leaving Adrian. Adrian is a conductor and Belen believed he had an affair with a violinist.

And now for a big SPOILER!! If you haven’t seen the movie yet and intend watching it still, stop reading now, because this will ruin the surprise.

Still reading? Ok. So Belen never left. The lady they’re renting the house from showed Belen a secret room inside the house her husband – who was a former Nazi officer – had built. The room is soundproof but speakers allow one to hear sound from outside. There are unbreakable one-way mirrors allowing you to see into the bedroom and bathroom.

Belen made a video recording telling Adrian she was leaving. She packed her stuff, and then locked herself in the room, but upon entering the room she dropped the key outside. Now locked inside, she has no way out, and no one can hear her, and is helpless as she watches Adrian and Fabiana. She tries to make contact with Fabiana by tapping on pipes, but things doesn’t quite go as planned…

‘The Hidden Face’ is a thrilling, never-a-dull-moment mystery thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This was super exciting! The film received nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Makeup, and Best Original Score.

In Spanish.

Would I watch it again? Yes.