You’re Not Me (FANTASTIC) is a Surprisingly Taut Christmas Horror Mystery

Title: You’re Not Me

First Non-Festival Release: TBD

Director: Marisa Crespo, Moisés Romera

Writer: Marisa Crespo, Moisés Romera

Runtime: 98 Minutes

Starring: Roser Tapias, Yapoena Silva, Anna Kurikka

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2023.

Everyone knows that families have their own set of drama that can make reunions emotional in many regards. With the added stress of the holidays, tensions can rise even further. What happens when a family member secretly comes to celebrate and is met with the sight of someone who has seemingly replaced them?

Aitana (Roser Tapias) is facing this same predicament. Arriving to her parent’s home on Christmas Eve secretly with her partner Gabi (Yapoena Silva) and their son, Aitana is shocked at the frosty reception from her parents (Pilar Almería, Alfred Picó). In fact, it seems like only her wheelchair bound brother Saúl (Jorge Motos) seems affected by the surprise. Aitana brushes it off until she realizes that someone is sleeping in her childhood bedroom. That is when she is introduced to Nadia (Anna Kurikka), a woman she has never met before this night.

Predictable yet enjoyable, You’re Not Me is a slow broil into family angst and chaos.

Aitana’s homecoming operates as a horrific premise alone before the uncomfortable truth sinks in for her. Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and celebration, but You’re Not Me posits what it can be like for prodigal children returning home. It’s clear that something has shifted and that she must figure out what it is, especially since she now fears for her family’s wellbeing. The mystery slowly unravels as Aitana sneaks around her childhood home for clues as to why her parents suddenly have taken an affinity to Nadia. Appearances are deceiving as Aitana, and the audience too, is not privy to the whole truth.

The looming specter of Aitana’s various identities serve as a ready red herring for the actual concern. Assured that she is welcome even though her parents would prefer they stay at the hotel for a few days, there is this lingering feeling of disappointment that is easily felt through the screen. What it’s truly about is hard to grasp. Aitana has a history of mental health issues that have manifested beforehand, so that comes to the forefront for her. Lingering questions about her sexuality and her choice in partner, and subsequently child, also come to mind, especially since her family has a relatively traditional vibe about them. These aspects can really hit hard for individuals who are queer or in interracial relationships, especially when they come from families who would surely act similarly to an unexpected homecoming. You’re Not Me does a great job of balancing this with the true horror of the indifference.

[SPOILER]

Xenophobia and class division rear their ugly heads throughout You’re Not Me to dissect the ways the privileged views others. Aitana’s replacement is Nadia, a Romanian refugee who seems grateful for the opportunity to live in luxury with Aitana’s family. Aitana’s suspicions that Nadia is taking advantage of the family are unwarranted and often seep into xenophobia. She is convinced that Nadia is up to something and goes out of her way to find evidence to support it. Eventually, she does discover that Nadia lied about her identity and involvement with drugs. This revelation reveals more depth to Nadia’s character but also to Aitana’s, as she looks for any reason to kick Nadia out of the house. 

Its familiarity dulls the shock of its sinister third act, as the film reaches its inevitable conclusion and explains why Aitana’s parents are so willing to accept Nadia as a daughter. In the end, the truth is an unexpected blow to Aitana’s mission and catapults her into danger she never could have imagined. Forced to make a terrible choice now that she has altered the events of the night with her surprise visit, You’re Not Me manages to take a vicious turn in its finale that makes up for the slow pace of its introduction. The tension is palpable as the comfort of home bleeds into nightmare fuel for Aitana, Gabi, and their son.

[/END SPOILER]

The entire cast delivers solid performances, but Roser Tapias is the standout. An elder daughter returning home from a long absence only to be met with mild hostility, Tapias navigates the emotions beautifully. Confusion, hurt, and anger eat away at Aitana and Tapias allows every glare and inflection to show as much too.  

Although its conclusion might be easy to predict, You’re Not Me is an enjoyable horror mystery that adds to the Christmas cannon for the genre. Strong performances and cinematography allow this slow burn thriller to maximize its impact. Feel free to bring your family to this when it hopefully releases in theaters this year, especially if you are looking to cause chaos during the holidays.

Overall Score? 6/10