Netflix Reveals Light-Hearted Spanish Supernatural Gem in Phenomena (2023)

Title: Phenomena

First Non-Festival Release: April 14, 2023 (Digital/Streaming Platforms)

Director: Carlos Therón

Writer: Marta Buchaca, Fernando Navarro

Runtime: 94 Minutes

Starring: Belén Rueda, Gracia Olayo, Toni Acosta

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

Ghost hunters Sagrario (Belén Rueda), Paz (Gracia Olayo), and Gloria (Toni Acosta) are forced to investigate a case that hits too close to home when their colleague Father Pilón (Emilio Gutiérrez Caba) disappears. This sends the crew into action to unfurl the mystery behind his capture and save him and the other souls in danger of the entity they run afoul. As they work together to solve the case, their friendships and resolve will be tested as the demons have a personal score to settle with the crew.

Spanish supernatural horror with a focus on female friendship, Phenomena is a fun ride that focuses on its characters.

The real-life inspiration for Phenomena may have more pull in Spain but makes for some interesting lore to those unfamiliar with the group. Based off the real “Grupo Hepta,” Phenomena throws viewers into a world where the old guard of paranormal investigators are still active and perfecting their craft. Four paranormal investigators, one of them being a priest, imagines a world where the seasoned veterans live long enough to reminisce about their conquests and find ways to continue helping people. Of course, there is a certain amount of skepticism to be lodged at a supposed real-life squad of paranormal investigators. The depiction of the crew, however, easily ingratiates viewers nonetheless, as they are cast as lovable and intriguing.

A spectacle by nature, Phenomena leans into the grandiose to tell its exciting ghost story. Despite its light horror comedy tone, Phenomena manages to nail several of its scarier scenes with finesse. Demons, possessions, and manipulative people manage to find ways to spook the audience while never daunting the trio of ghost hunters. Aside from well executed scares, Phenomena delivers rich set design that brings the story to life. Cozy apartments, darkened stores, and secret tunnels, the Spanish haunter spares nothing to make its elaborate set breathe with authenticity alongside its paranormal thrills. This culminates in a harrowing underground encounter that sees the friends confronting not only the demon but their personal crutches.

Aside from its engaging story and effective scares, Phenomena is propped up by its strong cast and characters. Leading ladies Belén Rueda, Gracia Olayo, and Toni Acosta are simply a delight working off each other with aplomb and generosity. The rest of the cast do a great job too, but this trio makes it so believable that these ghost hunters are coworkers and friends too. Great chemistry leads to many great moments in between the scares where they can be vulnerable with and poke fun at one another. Their personalities are distinct and character arcs separate, but their camaraderie remains firm.

Horror isn’t a genre that is apt to cast its leads outside of teenagers, young adults, and families, so seeing a trio of middle-aged women lead a supernatural horror with strong comedic undertones is refreshing. There’s this tendency in horror [most genres, realistically] to put older woman into boxes that they cannot escape. In Phenomena, the protagonists are kind, tough, clever, messy, funny, and most importantly human. Each has their own quirks, strengths, and anchoring portions of their lives but they feel like more than their positions in the group which is necessary for a gateway horror like this.

This Spanish horror comedy will not be for everyone and that is okay. For those that are seeking a spookier affair with a strong cast and emphasis on character development, Phenomena will certainly be up your alley, especially if you want to support a fresh perspective of older women in horror. Affable leads, immersive set design, and a light-hearted tone make it easy to enjoy. Conjure this Spanish film onto your Netflix queue at once and wait for just the right time during the Halloween season to press play.

Overall Score? 6/10