If you thought The Truthers was going to be any other regular thriller, then dear reader, think again. Directed by Roger Gual, the Spanish drama gives you an unsettling story that feels eerily accurate in today’s world. The story follows the life of Ruth, who returns to her childhood home after her mother’s death. She finds out that her estranged father, Martin, after the death of his wife, is consumed by conspiracy theories. His behavior raises questions about his mental health and also about the family’s mysterious past. This leads Ruth to begin her own investigation, where she is caught between scepticism and doubt, as now she doesn’t understand if she is viewing the whole situation as reality or out of grief.
The atmosphere the makers have set up in “The Truthers” is the biggest asset of the film. There are no cheap jump scares or over-the-top action. Instead, there is a slow building of tension, the kind you see in good horror movies. Some conversations feel emotionally charged and very much the need of the hour. There is an eerie silence that gives you a palpation that something is drastically wrong around there. So many secrets are lingering around, all waiting to be uncovered. That is the haunting beauty of the plot.
Jose Coronado is mind-blowing as Martin. He portrays a man who has become difficult to understand. His estranged relationship with his daughter is also well examined in the movie. His character has a certain level of vulnerability as someone whose grief has now turned into paranoia. That level of deep writing has been presented well on screen by José Coronado. Stéphanie Magnin as Ruth is also no less Ruth. She serves as the eye of the plot. It is through her point of view that we see how a daughter is perceiving this whole thing. There is a sense of disbelief with genuine concern for her father. As she unravels the pieces of the past, her journey is no longer limited to just emotions. Now it becomes a full-fledged mystery in itself.
The writing of The Truthers also deserves praise. The father-daughter relationship and the complexities of the same have been analyzed and shown to us in a very intelligent manner. The makers show that not all relationships are happy and cordial. There are some where concern is there, but that too is accompanied by denial and grief. Another aspect shown is how a family, already in fragments, deals with the passing away of a member and what impact it has on them.
The issue that I found most recurrent was how the plot was slow. I am not sure if it was deliberately slow or unintentional on the part of the makers. However, there were so many scenes that were stretched out for no reason. This can cause frustration in the minds of people who wish for a fast-paced plot. While, of course, the plot cannot go beyond when it comes to pacing, as that is not the requirement of the storyline. But in many areas, the makers could have managed to rush slightly. This issue can be ignored, though. So if you are willing and wanting to watch a good thriller, The Truthers is here for you.
Final Score - [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times