(ESP-ENG) Goodnight Mommy, hacía falta este remake? // Goodnight Mommy, did we need this remake?

Hello friends, good vibes to all.

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I have to confess that there are things concerning cinema that I still find it a little hard to learn about them and the best example of this is the existence of this remake of that powerful Austrian film from 2014 titled with the same name. I remember seeing it and I consider it one of the best films of the genre or at least a very good one so again curiosity got the better of me and called me to give this new American version a chance considering the great story that is the film from 8 years ago. The thing with remakes is that in most cases, I would say more than 70%, they always turn out badly or are of a considerably lower quality.

With this film something happens that I think is its Achilles heel and that is that it has a precedent, that is, for those people who have not seen the previous one, the original, this will surely seem a good film or at least one that meets what they wanted to see but for those who did see the Austrian film, it was certainly a step backwards with respect to what we already knew. I honestly decided to see it because part of the cast includes Naomi Watts and the Crovetti twins, who are making a name for themselves in the series The Boys. So, was this remake worth it? - Well, let's talk about it and find out.

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This is the story of twins, Lukas and Elias (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) who one day return home after spending some time with their father, this happens because the mother (Naomi Watts) decides to undergo a process of plastic surgery which makes her wear a kind of mask / bandage which prevents her face can be seen completely. The point is that once the reunion takes place the children feel that something is wrong, that something is not like before and that everything is totally different from how they remembered it to the point that they really doubt if that woman under those bandages is their real mother.

It is from this moment when the plot begins to advance, raising a great existential doubt in these brothers for wanting to discover who is that unknown woman, or not, who is living with them and that according to their instincts is not their mother. Evidently there are visible changes, both physical and personality-wise, which are what push Elias and Lukas to doubt more and more. Trust begins to crumble and life in that house becomes a little unbearable for the three of them. With slight attempts at terror and suspense, the story follows its course until the end of the mystery is reached. It is very difficult to talk about this film without mentioning its predecessor, but the difference is very noticeable, especially in the two aspects I just mentioned.

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Comparisons are odious but necessary, at least in this case. Even knowing the plot I expected that the terror and sinister atmosphere of the original film would also make an appearance but it was not so, on the contrary I felt it very weak and without any tension or anxiety, there was nothing that made me nervous, much less that hooked me, I was bored. It impresses me how they can have the ability to damage or make so badly a film that is more than consolidated as one of the best in this genre. But all this does not mean that this film does not try to be good and catching, if I think there is an intention of wanting to fill the screen with fear and intrigue of the viewers.

As I said before, this opinion I am giving is conditioned, it cannot be the same to a person who knows nothing about this "franchise" and is watching this movie for the first time. Those people may like it and it may catch their attention because the plot is quite interesting, it must be said; and I consider that it can be a good start or introduction to this story, what they would have to do now is to look for the original and compare. For example, in that of 2014 there are several scenes a little disturbing, scenes that can become uncomfortable, in this new adaptation we do not see any of that, although it is true that there is one or another that seeks to create some discomfort that level of pure terror is a little absent.

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As for the characters I think it is one of the best that this film has to offer, the truth is that Naomi's work as the twins is quite good and acceptable. The mother is a person who carries a very powerful burden on her shoulders so part of her behavior is due to that aspect, she is a mix between a loving, delicate person and someone who from time to time brings out her more psychotic and indifferent side. She is a totally unpredictable character for which in several passages of the film one is not able to empathize with her, it's all very strange. Naomi Watts is a very good actress and in this film although for me she falls a little short, the work she did is more valid.

And at the other extreme we have the Crovetti twins. In The Boys series, they play Homelander's son, a shady and weird character; Ryan looks like he could be just like his father. Why do I say this? - Because in the series there are already clues that these boys are good actors and also here they show it. Much of the weight of the plot falls on them and it seems that they had no problems with that, one is shy and cautious while the other is more daring and bold, not afraid of anything. The latter is the one who controls or coaxes his brother to do this and that and that is where a conflict is generated that determines the outcome of this story. The truth and despite everything I was pleased with the performances of these two young people, I think the film is not so disastrous thanks to them and Naomi.

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In conclusion we have a film that has something that I did not mention before and that is that it has a plot twist in its story which is what makes it really valuable, you probably expect it or maybe not but whatever the case is something that adds a lot to the plot. It's a film that pretends to be a horror film but in my opinion it fell by the wayside, there are signs of wanting to create that feeling in people that will startle you when you're watching but at least in my case it didn't work. I repeat, if you are someone who saw it without having seen the original tell me what you thought because the opinion of those who did see it I can be a little sure what it will be.

If the Austrian film did not exist, I think the panorama would be different, but since it does not and it does exist, this one remains a bit in the shadow of it. Points in its favor? - Well, the performances and a few scenes where there might be something redeemable. Having said all this I give it a 6.5/10, its main difficulty is that it has a monster of a movie behind it and to face it is something very complicated. You can find it on Amazon Prime and it has a duration of an hour and a half. Here's the trailer so you can see what it's all about and take a look at it.

Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it.
¡A hug to everyone, see you next time!