A troubled young man goes around murdering women who sexually excite him.
It's not the most original concept in the world. There have been movies before and since that have dealt with a similar idea. But this Spanish production still registers. It has decent performances and a story that essentially holds up. But more importantly it has a good sense of style. The killer's inner turmoil is shown by flashbacks, close-ups of eyes and eerie music. In the murder scenes all of these elements kick in together and are well executed. Generally speaking, it's a well photographed film, with nice exterior shots of various Spanish locales and great detail of a religious festival incorporated into the story which adds good additional atmosphere. The killer's obsession with women's shoes also adds a further fetishtic detail; similarly, images and sounds of trains add additional material that recalls his past trauma. The music varies from cheesy Spanish pop to atmospheric glockenspiel and piano driven pieces.
It's a psychological thriller with some slasher violence. It's more interested in setting an atmosphere that glorifying in bloody mayhem though. Overall, it works pretty well. It's a stylish film and the Spanish feel to it adds a lot to the aesthetic. Definitely a movie that deserves to be more widely seen.
