The Elderly (2023) – Review and Summary

“The Elderly” takes forever to get to the point, which may or may not be a play on who and what it focuses on.

General Information

Director(s)	Raúl Cerezo        Fernando González Gómez
Screenplay By	Javier Trigales Raúl Cerezo Rubén Sánchez Trigos
Based On	Javier Trigales Raúl Cerezo
Date Released (In Theaters)	October 13, 2023
Genre(s)	Drama Fantasy Horror Mystery Thriller
Film Length	1 Hour 35 Minutes
Content Rating	Not Rated
Noted Characters and Cast
Manuel	Zorion Eguileor
Lena	Irene Anula
Naia	Paula Gallego
Mario	Gustavo Salmerón

Content Rating Explanation

“The Elderly” contains:

• Dialog: Some cursing
• Violence: depiction of suicide, murder, open wounds and blood
• Sexual Content: Nudity and depiction of elderly people having sex
• Miscellaneous: smoking and drinking

Film Summary

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It is climbing to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Spain, and for Mario’s family, the heat exacerbates their issues. His daughter Naia and pregnant wife Lena don’t have the best relationship, and with Mario’s mom recently committing suicide, he feels the need to take care of his father, Manuel. Once again, Lena is an issue, and Manuel, who was fond of Mario’s first wife, knows he isn’t welcomed, but Mario pushes both his father and wife into the idea.

However, as the city gets hotter, Manuel begins acting strange, as do most of the elderly, until eventually, they aren’t just weird but threatening, and everyone is left to wonder if their threats should be taken seriously or not.

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Mario

Mario is currently on hard times, but things were looking okay with a new apartment, which he shares with his second wife and daughter. However, then his mom killed herself, and with trying to be a good son, he seeks to take in his father, who he has a pretty good relationship with.

Naia

Naia is Mario’s teen daughter, who is dealing with a lot right now. Her father’s new wife is pregnant, they just moved, she just started seeing this new guy who is lowkey sketchy, and then her grandfather moves in.

Lena

Lena is only Mario’s favorite person in her household. As for everyone else? She lives in the shadow of his ex, Naia’s mom, and is seen as wicked since she isn’t as amiable and friendly as they are used to.

Manuel

Manuel is Mario’s elderly father who, after his wife’s suicide, is told he has sudden dementia, and this leads to him doing and saying things that raise red flags.

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Highlights

When It Ramps Up Towards The End

Most of the movie is the worst kind of tease. You know what is coming but aren’t sure when the elderly will snap. However, when they do, oh, it is long overdue but so appreciated.

Seeing them come off crazy, wielding weapons, fighting even, it pushes you to remember that they aren’t fragile and defenseless just because they are old. Now, mind you, it isn’t fully explained what makes them all go crazy, since it isn’t explicitly said to be the heat or solely aging.

But, lack of explanation aside, things end on a high note when what was promised is finally delivered.

On The Fence

Most Of The Movie Is A Tease That Becomes Immensely Frustrating

With a dramatic score, Manuel showing signs, and even verbalizing threats, you spend at least 80% of the movie waiting. Yes, one guy attacks Naia’s boyfriend, but as for how many horror films are, when you usually get a string of jump scares and violence, this doesn’t offer that.

Instead, you get family drama, which isn’t all that interesting since it is Lena pushing you to wonder what was the initial attraction for Mario? And while Manuel and Naia bond and she seems to hear the same supernatural force the elderly do, with no clear-cut explanation of this otherworldly voice is, her being one of the few young people to hear it doesn’t add much to the film.

Who Is This For?

“The Elderly” is for those with the patience for a long build-up to the major selling point of a film.

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