Every so often, a foreign horror film manages to adequately unleash a torrent of surprises just when one least expects it. I often give the benefit of the doubt to these types of genre flicks with minimal context to their curiosities, checking out film festival titles going from nothing other than a brief synopsis. For stunningly-filmed black-and-white Párvulos, my expectations were virtually nonexistent. Co-writer/director Isaac Ezban (2022’s Evil Eye) crafts a decidedly different brand of zombie movie, supercharged by exceptionally good performances from the three leading child actors. Gnarly practical effects work and a coming-of-age aspect are another vital component of the equation. The flesh-eating subgenre of horror has an utter deluge of forgettable titles, but I can safely say there has never been another that compares to Párvulos. Casually flipping between dark humor and disturbingly graphic terror, Ezeban infuses cultural subtext into a signature depiction of the dystopian post-apocalypse.
Brothers Salvador (Farid Escalante Correa), Oliver (Leonardo Cervantes), and seven-year-old Benjamin (Mateo Otega Casillas) have been foraging to survive in the aftermath of a deadly pandemic for quite some time. Being the oldest, one-legged Salvador essentially becomes a de facto leader and parental figure, getting a routine down for keeping food on the table. Unfortunately, this means hunting “monster” dogs, killing them, then prepping and cooking them. Salvador’s efforts are not strictly limited to dogs either—in an early scene, Benjamin befriends a frog he brings back to their home deep within the woods, only for “Kermit” to end up a component of their meal. How interesting that little Ben sobs over a frog, yet takes no issue with the killing of dogs.
As the complex story unfolds, we only slowly realize how much truly falls on Salvador’s shoulders, especially since his younger brothers do not quite comprehend the changes that have come from the outside world. Oliver and Benjamin are entertained by being read fairy tales at night, or rewatching the one movie they own over and over again, and when Salvador goes out hunting, they maintain contact through antiquated walkie talkies. Salvador must also grapple with his own developing sexuality, barely able to find a minute to jerk off without one of his brothers walking in on the act. His virginity becomes a major plot point, existing in tandem with the increasingly tense atmosphere of mystery. Each night, the moans of the two creatures they keep locked in the basement signal that they are not alone. What else lurks out in the woods?
Visually speaking, the cinematography from Rodrigo Sandoval takes full advantage of the crisp black-and-white imagery. Whilst Ezban has made many other features already, this one feels special. A seven-year passion project, dedicated to his brothers, speaks to the personal nature of the whole affair. Finding a single child actor able to carry the weight of various shocking sequences would be difficult—somehow, Párvulos houses three performances that are astonishing in their depth. Even the youngest, Mateo Ortega Casillas, manages to captivate in a mesmerizing, vulnerable turn as Benjamin. The “monsters” are also a joy to watch, especially given their erratic behavior. Once the bloodshed commences, the brutality on display relentlessly assaults the viewer.
Scripting duties from Ezban and Ricardo Aguado-Fentanes unravel layer by layer the intricacies of brotherly love, forcing the characters to grow up well before they should. The danger also lurks, omnipresent and constantly threatening to break through the carefully structured safe haven Salvador has helped create. It goes to darker places than expected, but spoiling any of them would potentially ruin the many surprises housed within. This is to say nothing of the final act, which builds to a wildly unexpected conclusion. An equal amount of gore and heart, coupled with brotherly bonds and interesting mythology, make Párvulos a shockingly great flick that tears its way into the best of the zombie-horror subgenre with panache.
Párvulos screened at 2024’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
