Párvulos had its World Premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival this July. The film seems aimed at horror fans who like zombies and Spanish cinema. Which is an intersection that I live at, so I was super excited to get my eyes on this title. However, we do not get the carnage and mayhem most of us hope for when we see a film about the undead. Instead, Isaac Ezban’s film gives us something more tender and melancholy. Admittedly, this coming-of-age tale set during a viral outbreak may be too soon for many viewers. However, this journey told via the POV of children is the heart of the film and the reason it is so damn endearing.
Párvulos is set in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. Salvador (Farid Escalante Correa), Oliver (Leonardo Cervantes), and Benjamin (Mateo Ortega Casillas) are three brothers left to fend for themselves in this new dystopian world. Salvador is the oldest and has stepped up to protect his little brothers as he becomes the default parental figure. He and Oliver hide a secret from their youngest brother, Benjamin, in their basement. Once the secret is out, it slowly begins unraveling the brothers’ fragile living situation.
They Had Me In The First Act
I really loved the mystery and danger we had up top. However, once the secret in the basement is finally revealed, Párvulos picks up a weird comedic tone that rarely worked for me. I only recently started to warm to horror comedies, so I wonder if these repetitive jokes will work for others. It might also win some of you over because this shift is when the movie begins to wear its heart on its sleeve.
The first act allowed the young cast to showcase what they could do in this stylized dystopian world. They give solid performances that make you lean in and instantly feel protective of them. They quickly establish their familial bonds and help us find our bearings in this hallowed-out world. The performances are underscored by cool aesthetic choices. The production team had fun with color and camera lenses, making it a treat for the eyes. I also sincerely believe cinematographer Rodrigo Sandoval Vega Gil’s work is a huge reason I like this movie more than I should.
It Was Not All Sunshine And Zombies Though
It is hard not to applaud the talent that went into making this movie. Also, the Lord Of The Flies meets Peter Pan’s Lost Boys vibe, give Párvulos a sense of familiarity. While it is hard not to get caught up in this youthful exploration of maturing during an apocalypse, the movie becomes a chore. The nearly two-hour runtime is not fully earned. Much of the time is spent retreading the same jokes that did not land the first time. It also takes the scenic route to get to the inevitable conclusions. While some very cool ideas are introduced, the ones that should be given more time are quickly discarded. As an audience member, this is frustrating because we never get the tension we deserve.
I sincerely believe there is an edit of this Párvulos that accomplishes everything it wants to do. One that even stitches together the parts that feel like they belong in other movies. However, as it stands right now, it feels like a gorgeous but bloated feature that does not quite live up to its potential.
