The Abandoned (2006)

Director: Nacho Cerda

Starring: Anastasia Hille

More Info: IMDB

Tagline: Death never runs out of time.

Plot: Upon hearing that her birth mother has died, an American woman (Hille) who was raised by adoptive parents travels to her Russian homeland to take over the family farm she inherited. But almost immediately, she senses something's wrong. The plot thickens when she discovers she's not alone -- and seeing ghosts takes on a whole new meaning.
My Rating: 7/10

Would I watch it again? Yeah

I quite like this film. It's essentially a ghost story. A ghost story done right which gives you loads of atmosphere. The isolation of the farmhouse, the gloomy, overcast weather, the dampness and the cold...it's all there.


I like that the setting is on the other side of the world and not localized. It feels reminiscent without being comfortably close, if that makes any sense. Very good camerawork and framing and a good score that establishes mood without bringing attention to itself. Good performance from Hille, too.



THE ABANDONED is a slow burn so it's not for everyone. But then it doesn't overstay its welcome at only 99 minutes. It's a Spanish film (in English) and it appears to be writer/director Cerda's only feature fiction film to date. Too bad. There's some real talent at work here and I'm definitely up for more. If you like the 'creeps under your skin' kind of slow-paced and atmospheric horror, this one's got your name on it...just don't leave it behind. Ahahahahaha.