This movie is a small pearl of horror movies and comes from the country next to me. It tells the story of a couple who went to live in a renovated orphanage and where, soon, their little son begins to see invisible children before disappearing. From then on, a tense supernatural story unfolds, holding us to the screen until the end. The script is simple but effective, the story is good and the permanent tension is gradually growing. Directed by Juan Antonio Baiona (a director I had never heard of), it is a film that comes in line with other works of the most recent Spanish cinema, by Guillermo del Toro or Alejandro Amenábar. The environments and scenarios have been carefully elaborated and the actors' work (highlighting Belén Rueda and Roger Príncep) is moving and convincing. This is undoubtedly a film that deserves much more visibility, ending up being harmed by its European origin and not having the same advertising machine as the great American works.

I have seen many horror movies, but in this genre this will remain one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. To me it shares the same spot with pan's labyrinth on the top. On a wonderful story the acting from the cast is brilliant. The story starts to build slowly but it's the beauty that when you go inside the groove it becomes the different experience altogether. I like atmospheric movies and man the atmosphere of the movie is bone chilling and creepy yet beautiful. The colour of this movie is greyish which depicts the mood of the ordeal Laura was going through.There is nothing over the top in this movie. It's a sheer pleasure to watch it at any time. The ending in particular is awesome and it memory remains with you for a long time after this movie. This is the second time I have watched this movie and it still feels fresh. I could not believe that this is Bayona's directorial debut. If this is the start then I would like to see more films from him. Hats off to this movie. It will remain one of my all time favourite :).

This is my first review in over 10 years of IMDb usage. My fault, but I mostly find existing reviews sufficient enough, some close to truth, some a little further. Some a bit too angry, some a little too lustrous.But this time. I just couldn't resist. This movie is absolutely stunning with almost no drawbacks. I have seen a lot of horrors, gore, fantasy, and this is such a perfect mixture of drama, thriller and suspenseful horror that you simply mustn't miss it. Go for it. Have no doubt. It is worth it from the first second till the very last tune in the titles.

In the beginning, I was expected another ,,haunted-house" movie, with jump scares and chilling moments. It started like one, it advanced like one and, in less than 5 minutes, it transformed into an emotional story that scarred me more than any story from a horror movie."The only love that I really believe in is a mother's love for her children." (Karl Lagerfeld). The entire movie was built on this quote: the way the plot goes on, the characters, the environment, everything! The most impressive element of this movie is the lighthouse, the symbol of guidance and safety. The plot is not focusing on it too much, but if you pay attention to some events, you will understand that the lighthouse offers a felling of safety, something that I never seen before to a horror movie.The end of the movie was very special, I shed some tears. It's the kind of movie with an ending which you will remember for a few days after.In conclusion, the movie was great and I strongly recommend it.