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The Invisible Guest
Contratiempo
2017 107 min Spain 16+
★7.8
Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Director: Oriol Paulo
Trailers
Description
Barcelona, Spain. Adrián Doria, a young and successful businessman accused of murder, meets one night with Virginia Goodman, an expert interrogation lawyer, in order to devise a defense strategy.
Budget:
$4M
Worldwide:
$30M
Starring
Mario Casas
Actor
Ana Wagener
Actor
Jose Coronado
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
Contratiempo is widely praised as a masterful, high-tension Spanish thriller characterized by its non-linear narrative and clever use of perspective. While a few viewers point to plot holes or clichéd tropes, the majority agree that the film's ingenious twists and atmospheric direction keep audiences thoroughly engaged until the final reveal.
| Screenplay | The film employs a masterful non-linear structure that effectively uses multiple, contradictory flashbacks to manipulate audience perspective. | |
| Acting | Mario Casas and Ana Wagener deliver strong, charismatic performances that anchor the intense psychological cat-and-mouse game. | |
| Direction | The direction by Oriol Paulo creates a high-stakes, claustrophobic atmosphere through precise editing and subtle sound design. | |
| Pacing | The pacing balances tense action with introspective, cerebral investigation, though it requires a willingness to engage with deliberate, puzzle-like storytelling. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the script are divided; fans celebrate the intricate, twist-filled plotting, while critics argue that the narrative relies on logical inconsistencies and convenient tropes to achieve its surprises. | |
| Ending | The final twist is polarizing; some viewers find it to be a brilliant and shocking conclusion, while others feel it strains credibility. |