'El Conde' A Review

El Conde is a black comedy horror that imagines Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet(Jaime Vadell) as a 250 year old vampire. After his reign he fakes his own death and hides in seclusion gradually losing his will to live. His children, concerned about their inheritance and a string of local murders, hire a nun Carmen(Paula Luchsinger) to investigate the family finances and kill him if needed.

The cast are all pitch perfect in the odd, surreal, satirical tone navigating the various absurdities, gore, and commentary with authenticity and commitment. There's no real stand out as the film is almost like a gleeful, dark, unrelenting, tone poem. The ensemble all works together, knows exactly what film they are in, and serves to further that feeling.

In a rich monochrome evoking a clear influence in Nosferatu the film looks great and is immediately immersive, the subtle unrelenting score furthers that transportive feeling. Its great to see this kind of ambition and formal imagination from writer/director Pablo Larraín after his previous more conventional feature Spencer. The focus here is not much on narrative(although its present) and more on metaphor and image. Probably not for everyone as it is unquestionably odd but still delicious in its eccentricity for those that have the patience for it. Should have gotten a theatrical release.

Confident and lavish, a singular piece of cinema.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

See It.