“My doll is lost. She’s all alone and she’s cold.”

May, 1987. While returning from a nightclub and after having taken drugs, new girl in town Sara (Carla Campra) and her friend Rebe (Aina Quiñones) find a doll wearing a communion dress. From that moment, their lives will become a living hell.

With The Communion Girl (La niña de la comunión), Victor Garcia delivers a terrifying film that keeps the viewer on the edge of his seat right up to the last second. When you’re familiar with Spanish cinema, this is hardly a surprise.

Spanish horror

The Spaniards know how to make horror films. I discovered it a few years ago with Rec. and every time I get the chance, I’m seduced. La niña de la comunión is simply terrifying. But who isn’t afraid of those little dolls that open and close their eyes?

But the worst thing is, in this case, that the doll is rather incidental. In fact, it’s the little girl to whom the doll belongs who will terrify the teenagers in this small Spanish town.

The character is simply frightening. Her arrival is always accompanied by strange noises and, above all, whispers. The director’s film doesn’t revolutionize the genre. On the other hand, he has mastered the language of the horror film to perfection, and gives the viewer quite a ride.

Technically solid

Although Garcia’s film takes a while to get going, it’s definitely worth the wait. As is often the case in Spain, the filmmakers don’t rely on an overdose of digital effects, but on a fair dose, well accompanied by tight shots and well-cut editing.

There are two things that make all the difference when it comes to scaring viewers: the anticipation you create and the element of surprise. And both of these elements are created by using the right shots and the right sounds.

Anticipation is created by the use of ambient sounds, including the little girl’s whispers. And even though we know exactly where the fright will come from, La niña de la comunión succeeds time and again in startling and frightening us. So much so that my ribs and abs were hurting by the end of the movie.

A little more…

When you watch a horror film, you’re looking for a thrill. Either you hope to be disgusted, or you want to be scared. It’s easy to see that The Communion Girl falls into the latter category.

The appearance of the little girl, dead for a few years, is, yes, disgusting, but it’s above all her well-timed appearances that are effective. We never see her for very long, but every time she hits the right spot.

So it’s with great pleasure that I encourage you to discover this little girl and those unlucky enough to cross paths with her.

Trailer