Colonia

A co-production Requiem for a Maiden without Renč's exploitative lack of feeling and above all without the lesbian scene with Holubová, from start to finish it's an incredibly mind-numbing and routine inspired-by-true-story Pinochet-era romance with no handwriting whatsoever. Emma Watson plays a lunatic well. (05/08/2016)

I was looking forward to this film, but I’m disappointed. Daniel Brühl was excellent as usual, but this time he was overshadowed by the main villain played by Michael Nyqvist. The role obviously agreed with him. My disappointment stems mainly from the fact that it is difficult to create an atmosphere of terror when you have to rely on mere hints. I'm not saying that I need to see splashes of blood on the screen all the time, but Colonia felt a bit like a porn movie with a bunch of people sitting around a table discussing sex. It could have been a good film if it hadn't been for the wasted potential and the resulting lackluster atmosphere. (18/11/2016)

I ignored the film at first and watched it more out of necessity and was pleasantly surprised. I certainly wouldn't be put off by the drama/romantic/historical genres like I was initially, the premise alone is interesting and intriguing enough to fall reliably into the thriller genre. While the film is not as gritty and breathtaking as the description would suggest, the suspense and atmosphere paces perfectly, keeping the viewer concerned for the main characters, who are the likeable Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl. Also worth mentioning is the sleazy Michael Nyqvist, whom you will hate from the first moment. If you like films about camps with a strange regime crossed with a fanatical religious sect you will be satisfied. Story 7/10, Atmosphere 8/10, Gore 1/10, Visuals 7/10, Action 5/10, Suspense 7/10,Humor 5/10. Entertainment 7/10. 75% (11/05/2016)

In collective scenes sufficiently predatory and absorbing, in moments of terror it forces you to avert your gaze. As a whole, in its message of freedom of spirit, mind, and humanity, it does not fail; in the possibility that something like this is real even in modern history, it is fatally depressing. When looking at the flawless Emma Watson and the captivating Daniel Brühl, I am willing to forgive a few minor stumbles because the content outweighs the importance of the screenplay form this time. (12/04/2016)

A story built on strong themes that we have all seen a thousand times before elsewhere, and often far more evocatively delivered. The narrative is cohesive and builds up satisfyingly, depressingly reflecting the oppressive atmosphere of its tyrannical setting, with the casting of the disgustingly accomplished villain Nyqvist being a definite hit. Unfortunately, it lacks the aforementioned suggestion, which is, with a few exceptions, represented by cheap, visual and plot clichés for the masses, and the fluffy ending, although it pulls you in by evoking warm empathy for the fate of the main characters, turns out exactly the way the you’d expect. The horrific story of Dignidad deserves a slightly more distinctive and gritty treatment, although I acknowledge the effort to make such untold events as widely available as possible. 70% (23/05/2016)