Veronica is not revolutionary for horror genre

Netflix’s latest horror movie is well done, but not the scariest

Lucas Torborg
Staff Writer

Netflix’s newest horror movie entitled “Veronica” is a Spanish language supernatural film. “Veronica” has been dubbed the scariest movie on Netflix, but does it live up to the strange hype surrounding this movie?

The short answer is, no, it isn’t scary by any means. The plot is something we’ve seen a hundred times before surrounded by the usual supernatural horror movie tropes. The opening title claiming to be based on a true story, check. Ominous Ouija bored found in an abandoned basement, check. Creepy old nun who for some reason is blind, check.

Yes, “Veronica” is nothing we haven’t seen before, yet it still succeeds overall. This movie stands apart from other subpar supernatural films because this movie is grounded in reality.

What this movie is about is an older sister, Veronica, who would do anything to protect her three younger siblings. The audience begins to care for Veronica and her family, primarily because the characters seem so realistic.

Along with family, the director, Paco Plaza, also expresses themes of adolescence and growing up. Plaza may be less known in the U.S., but in Spain he is the most acclaimed director there is. Plaza directed the entire “Rec” series which is arguably the most successful horror films in Spain.

Although “Veronica” is not even close to how horrifying “Rec” is, Plaza does seem to bring the same amount of intensity and suspense into the movie. This and other aspects of film make it worth a watch.

The story takes place in Madrid City in Spain during the spring of 1991. Fifteen-year-old Veronica (Sandra Escacena) is the eldest sister of her two twin sisters and her four-year-oldbrother. Veronica is the primary caregiver of these three children as her mother works all day and night working at a bar to support her family.

One day during a solar eclipse at school, Veronica and her two friends decide to use an old Ouija board they found in their school’s basement. Veronica attempts to communicate with her deceased father through the Ouija board, but surprise, it doesn’t turn out well.

Veronica begins to seize, and appears to become possessed by an unknown demonic force. Veronica then goes home, thinking nothing of it, where she accidentally brings the evil force home to prey on her siblings.

Although the plot of Veronica can be a little predictable, it is interesting to see a supernatural movie surrounded around Hispanic culture other than the traditional American supernatural movies the genre is filled to the rim with.

Other positive aspects of this movie consist of great, relatable performances by the entire cast and nevertheless great direction by Plaza.

Overall, “Veronica” is the perfect movie to watch when someone can’t find anything to watch on Netflix. It will hold the viewer’s attention through its 105-minute runtime, but the second it’s over the viewer may forget all about the movie and carry on with their life.