Rock, Paper, and Scissors is a reminder of why going to visit family can sometimes be a horrible idea. Magdalena is an actress who goes back home after her father has died. She plans to stay for a few weeks to settle things at his estate before heading back to Spain. Her half-siblings Jesus and Maria seem glad to see her – at first.
Despite being in a sprawling home, the film is a claustrophobic one. Many shots are tightly framed giving the illusion of little to no room. Once Magdalena is confined to a bed, things become even more constrained. Directors Martin Blousson and Macarena Garcia Lenzi build an almost Gothic atmosphere. Again, the keen direction comes into play, but the characters and setting add to the feeling. The film relies on suspense and its cast to maximize the horror.
The story is an engaging one filled with shocks and revelations. That does not mean there is not a level of predictability to it, however. While this does not negatively impact the story being told, it does prevent the film from being truly great. The story is a patiently paced one. Even people who are not fans of slow burn thrillers should not find issue with the movie, however. The script is an example of seamlessly tying every together to tell a compelling story.
Rock, Paper, and Scissors is a thriller/mystery that will immediately remind many of Stephen King’s Misery. While this is a fair comparison, there is more the the Argentine film. It also visits trust, mental illness, and The Wizard of Oz. Along the way, it will provide enough terror to make audiences rethink their next trip back home.
Rock, Paper, Scissors is coming to digital and on demand July 6
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