Shudder’s ’Crazy Old Lady’ Delivers Plenty of Chills!
Horror films aren’t exactly subtle anymore. Far too often, especially with blockbusters, production companies go for the most gruesome kills, the flashiest deaths, and scenes that make people close their eyes because they are too gory. However, every once in a while, a horror film arrives that delivers horror in a way that is slow and subtle, leaving you holding your breath for what’s waiting just around the corner. Shudder’s latest film, Crazy Old Lady, falls squarely into that house, with a story that seems both completely insane (in the best way possible) and absolutely plausible, which makes it even more intense and scary.
This movie from filmmaker Martin Mauregui brilliantly uses something so many people experience, the loss of memory that comes with aging, to explore a new and frightening side of the psychological horror genre. Narratively Crazy Old Lady identifies an insecurity that so many of us worry about, and exaggerates it into a story of lost love and undeniable revenge. There are moments where you’ll laugh, albeit with a bit of trepidation; however, if you’re anything like me, you might struggle falling asleep after watching this film, as it may take a while for your heart rate to return to normal.
If you’re still wondering if Crazy Old Lady should be next on your watch list, then let me be your guide into one of the wildest horror films you’ll watch this year. Which is definitely working in its favor, as I couldn’t turn away from what was happening on my screen. So settle in, dear reader, as we explore just what you can expect from Crazy Old Lady.
[Warning: light spoilers from Crazy Old Lady are below!]
Crazy Old Lady: When a favor turns into a horror story
We’ve all been in a position where a friend asks a favor, and we’re compelled to help, right? At least, I would assume so, as I have so many times in my life. Someone we care about needs a bit of help, and we want to be the ones to save the day. Typically, that doesn’t mean much of anything, but for Pedro (Daniel Hendler), this simple favor turns his life into a nightmare.
After receiving a call from his ex-girlfriend, Laura, Pedro sets out to check in on her mother, Alicia (Carmen Maura), on an extremely dark, stormy night. Alicia is elderly and suffering from dementia, and Laura is afraid after receiving multiple calls from her mother, which sets her on edge. So, of course, Pedro, albeit reluctantly, agrees to stop by her house to make sure Alicia is safe. However, what he doesn’t know is that everything is about to change in a matter of seconds.
Arriving at the house in the middle of nowhere, and looking straight out of a horror film as he rolls his car into the driveway, Pedro assumes it’s going to be an easy in and out, without much trouble. But that’s when things take a turn for the worse, as Alicia is physically fine, but her mental capacities are not. Undoubtedly confused, thinking that Pedro is someone else, and her mind trapped in a dangerous situation from yesteryears, Alicia is unbelievably hostile and absolutely dangerous. The situation quickly goes from unsettling to downright sinister as Pedro becomes trapped in a house with no way out.
As the night goes on, Alicia begins playing disturbing psychological games with Pedro, sometimes mistaking him for her late husband and forcing him to participate in twisted conversations and memories from her past. At first, Pedro believes the situation to be a symptom of her mental health, but the longer he’s stuck in the dilapidated house, the more unsure he becomes about whether Alicia is truly confused or deliberately manipulating him.
As Alicia’s behavior becomes more erratic, and dare I say sadistic, the tensions rise in Crazy Old Lady. Can Pedro manage to escape with his life, or is he destined to become a pawn in whatever game Alicia is playing? Or, perhaps, is there something even darker happening, manipulating both players in some dark and twisted chess match? For those answers, you’ll have to watch the film to find out!
The elements of fear in this film on Shudder
I know earlier in the review I made a very bold statement about Crazy Old Lady being one of the wildest horror films I’ve watched this year, but I stand steadfast in that opinion, as I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anything like it. Pretty much from the moment the film begins, you get the sense that there’s something off about Alicia, even before you see her, but what Crazy Old Lady does well is keep you on your toes.
From one moment to another, you don’t know what is happening, and much like Pedro (or Alicia for that matter), you feel dazed and confused. As you watch Pedro give in to her increasingly bizarre demands just to stay alive, you feel just as trapped as he is. You’re unsure of what is real; is Alicia aware of her actions, or is she lost in her own mind? With each answer, you have more questions, which adds to the tension as viewers have to navigate a every changing world, and quickly.
Ultimately, you’re left feeling claustrophobic in a world that you aren’t even inhabiting. When Pedro’s confined, you feel trapped as well. The walls of the house feel like they’re closing in on you with each line that Alicia delivers. It doesn’t help that most of the film takes place in the same old, and falling apart house, which adds to how small the environment feels and how claustrophobic you feel with each passing moment. It’s almost like an animal stuck in a bear trap.
Add in the storm raging outside the house, and you can’t help but feel the predicament that Pedro is in. You’re practically screaming at the screen the moment he steps into the house to get out. Director Martin Mauregui shifts the focus to real fear, born of human cruelty and the trauma we never quite shake off as we age. This isn’t a demon or some supernatural force lurking in the corners of the house, but instead it’s the frightening effects of dementia, something that so many of us are worried about setting in later in life. The fear also stems from the fight for survival, an instinct ingrained in each and every one of us. The will to stay alive, despite everything, pushes Pedro to go to great lengths to escape the house.
Final thoughts on Crazy Old Lady
As each minute ticked on, I also felt the strongest desire to get out as quickly as possible, although from where, I couldn’t pinpoint. I wanted to claw from out of my skin, as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Crazy Old Lady works so well because it straps audiences in for a ride and doesn’t let them off until the end of the film. You’re left breathless (in a good way) and utterly creeped out, as this film sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Yes, there are a few scenes where I had to close my eyes just a bit, as Crazy Old Lady dips its toes into the gory; however, the psychological thrill ride is well worth any image this film throws at you.
Crazy Old Lady is streaming on Shudder! Have you watched this film yet? Let us know your thoughts on social media @bsb.insider!
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