Rosario is a creepy, fast-paced horror film that does exactly what it needs to in its short runtime. It is unsettling and quite scary.
If a horror movie can pull off practical effects, it will always jump up a star or two in my book. Rosario does exactly that. This fast-paced, ninety-minute-long film had me on the edge of my seat, with my heart pounding, as I waited to see how things were all going to play out.
It follows Rosario (Emeraude Toubia), who discovers her family’s deep, dark secrets after the passing of her grandmother. Due to a blizzard, she is forced to stay in her grandmother’s home with the corpse until medics can make it there. While waiting, she starts to go through her belongings, uncovering a secret chamber filled with occult artifacts.
It sounds strange to say, but Rosario is beautifully shot. It does a great job of incorporating the dark and gritty dirtiness that it needs to in order to make viewers feel like they are a part of the story. She is rooting around in hidden compartments of the house, so of course they are dirty and grimy. And don’t even get me started on the way that the corpse (and creature) looks. I needed a shower after watching this movie, which is a compliment, trust me.
As a big fan of David Dastmalchian’s work, I was excited to see him in the cast. His role might be small in Rosario, but it is actually quite important. He is perfectly creepy, per usual, as the grandmother’s neighbor who continuously insists on getting inside the apartment. I couldn’t help but constantly wonder what was up with this man – and in the end, I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with the outcome.
This movie does not have as many jump scares as I was expecting it to, but there are a handful that got me good. One of my favorite things about this film is the use of practical effects and the way that the corpse is designed. It is clear pretty early on that something is up with this woman, and it is likely because of the occult practices that she was into.
Audiences discover details right alongside Rosario, and Toubia makes for a great companion as we go on this ride together. While there are many of those classic horror moments where you want to scream through the screen for her to stop what she is doing, what would a scary movie be without those?
It isn’t perfect, but Rosario is quick and effective. It certainly had me scared and simultaneously invested in seeing where things ended up. I do have to admit that I could tell things were not wrapped up when we thought they were, mostly because of the amount of time left in the movie. That said, I am very pleased with the direction it goes in the final act.
For a simple movie, with a small cast and mostly one setting, Rosario is quite impressive. It is a quick watch, so if you enjoy horror movies, I definitely recommend this one.
NEXT: Until Dawn Movie Review: A Bloody Good Time!
About Rosario
all Street stockbroker, Rosario Fuentes, returns to her grandmother’s apartment after her sudden death. While sorting through her Grandmother’s belongings, Rosario uncovers a horrifying secret—a hidden chamber filled with occult artifacts tied to dark generational rituals. As supernatural occurrences plague her, Rosario must confront her family’s buried secrets and face the truth about the sacrifices and choices they made.