El Desconocido Aka Retribution [2015]

March 29, 2016

Starring Luis Tosar (Celda 211, Mientras Duermes), Retribution reminded me of another movie with a similar backdrop: Locke [2013]. Just think of it as Locke on steroids. This is the first time in my life that I thought that a movie is too exciting and that it has too many twists. To quote Jimmy Valmer: “I mean really, come on”. I understand that they wanted to create a super-duper thrill ride that constantly engages viewers, but after a while, I felt a bit tired and bored. There’s a link between the number of twists, reality, and viewer engagement; the more twists you have, the more reality becomes warped and this results in viewers not caring about the story or the characters. The whole thing starts to feel like a contest for the most engaging video (and not movie) in the world.

El Desconocido Aka Retribution [2015] Movie Poster

This was supposed to be just another day at work for Carlos. He woke up, got dressed, and rushed his kids to the car so he can drive them to school. Little did he know that a criminal mastermind who has an altogether different plan for him and his kids were watching him. He rigged his car with explosives and if Carlos deviates from his instructions, he will detonate both him and his kids…

I guess you’re now, that I’ve raised your expectations, you’re anxious to check out this super twisty and engaging movie. If you liked Speed, Phonebooth, and other movies with that combination of real-time flow and imminent threat of explosions and other shit, you will like this one too. Written by Alberto Marini (The Machinist, Mientras Duermes, Transsiberian) Retribution is a fine thriller with a refreshing concept. It will give you a chance to see a different approach to this genre, without the usual Hollywood vibe and big names.

Since almost the whole movie was set in the car, camera-work had to be spot on and it was. I loved the wide and top-view angles along with dynamic interior shots. With a saturated color palette, the cinematography was great, especially when you consider the four million euro budget. Add to that intense music and high stakes and you got yourself quite a thrill-ride. Granted, most of the elements have been seen before, and let’s not get carried away here, this is a pretty formulaic thriller using the twists to hide that. But sometimes, that’s exactly the thing we need and want. So, if you’re up for some safe fun check out The Retribution.