[REC] (2007)

Camera Horror

Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Running Time: 75 Minutes
Starring: Manuela Velasco, Ferrán Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso, David Vert, Vicente Gil, Martha Carbonell, Carlos Vicente


As part of a documentary series, TV Reporter Ángela (Manuela Velasco) and cameraman Pablo (Pablo Rosso) cover the night shift at a local fire station. Receiving a call about an old lady trapped in her apartment and screaming, they make it to her building. What they uncover is merely the beginning, of a night none of them will forget.

Through the plot set-up, directors Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza manage to effectively utilise the found footage style. Even more successful is their use of the confined setting to the fullest extent, which effectively captures the claustrophobia felt by the characters, as well as the maddening manner they feel the unanswered questions mounting. All of which is perfectly captured by the cast, who sell their confusion and terror with ease. Manuela Velasco stands out, proving adorable as the lead, thrust into an unexpected nightmare when believing she'd have a quiet and dull night.

This all leads to a finale which, as a die hard fan of horror, this reviewer honestly found frightening. The found footage style is made use of in the best possible way, as the tense and chilling atmosphere builds to an unbearable degree, earning whatever scares comes along, which leads to a final scene which hits you like a freight train.

It may only have a short runtime, but [REC] makes the best use of every single minute. One of the better entries into the found footage genre, ready to grab your attention and refuse to let go.