PopHorror Let's Get Scared
[Rec] (2007) is a kick-ass Spanish found footage horror film directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. It’s widely regarded as one of the most effective and terrifying examples of the found-footage subgenre, blending elements of horror, mystery, and suspense in a gripping, claustrophobic setting.
What the Heck is [Rec] About?
The film, which released in Italy at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, 2007, follows a television reporter, Ángela Vidal (Manuela Velasco), and her cameraman, Pablo (Pablo Rosso), as they document the nightly activities of a Barcelona firehouse for a local news program. What begins as a routine assignment quickly spirals into a nightmare when they accompany firefighters to an apartment building after receiving a call about a woman trapped in her home, and basic concepts like the “buddy system” are pretty easily thrown out the window as chaos unfolds.
Once inside, a fun little news story goes extremely sour, and they discover that the building’s residents have been infected by a mysterious virus that turns them into violent, zombie-like creatures. As the infection spreads, the building is quarantined by authorities, trapping Ángela, Pablo, and the remaining survivors inside as they struggle to survive and uncover the cause of the outbreak. (And, hey, why might a virus situation movie seem more relevant to today’s world?)
A Great Found-Footage Format
The film’s events are seen entirely from the perspective of Pablo’s camera, giving it a raw, documentary-like feel. This adds to the tension as viewers experience the chaos and terror seemingly in real time. Adding to the claustrophobic atmosphere, most of the movie takes place within the confines of the apartment building, which heightens the sense of dread as the characters have nowhere to escape.
Pacing and suspense are important elements, too. [Rec] is known for its fast pace and escalating intensity, with minimal downtime as the infection spreads rapidly. Yet, at the same time, it’s still pretty easy to follow along as the events unfold. There’s also a healthy helping of mystery atop the horror. While the movie initially appears to be about a zombie outbreak, its final moments introduce a more supernatural element, suggesting a demonic or occult origin for the virus.
Impact and Legacy:
[Rec] was a critical and commercial success, praised for its intense atmosphere, realistic performances, and innovative use of the found-footage technique. BBC’s Jamie Russell called it “…a runaway rollercoaster of a fright flick,” I wholeheartedly agree. For some, this movie might succeed where The Blair Witch Project fails (though I will go on record as someone who’s not a Blair Witch basher).
It is considered one of the scariest films of its time and helped reinvigorate the found footage genre. Its success led to several sequels, including [Rec]² (2009), which directly continues the story, as well as [Rec]³: Génesis (2012) and [Rec]⁴: Apocalypse (2014), which explore different aspects of the outbreak. The film’s impact was so significant that it was remade in the U.S. as Quarantine (2008), though many fans consider the original to be superior.
Trivia:
- Manuela Velasco, who plays Ángela, is an actual TV presenter, adding a layer of authenticity to her portrayal as someone involved in television.
- The movie was shot in chronological order, which is rare for films.
- The cast was kept in the dark about certain plot developments to ensure their reactions were as genuine as possible as the strange tale would unfold.
Final Thoughts
[Rec] is often listed among the best horror films of the 21st century and remains a favorite for fans of the genre. Even if you don’t think it’s “the scariest movie ever made,” or anything so dramatic, you’ll probably still think it’s a solid flick, and perhaps the found footage flick for people who don’t like found footage flicks.
