A Mexican horror movie that explores the dark side of motherhood and its impact on a new mother, Valeria, who is tormented by an entity that cannot be named. The film takes a unique approach to the body horror and haunted house genres and presents them in an artfully crafted vessel that brings the characters and their relationships to life. The film won two major awards at the Tribeca Film Festival last summer.

Director Michelle Garza Cervera has a strong grasp on millennial color palettes and each shot in the film is beautifully composed and lit. The score and sound design also stand out for their ability to spike cortisol levels and make the Spanish-language punk tracks in the film seem soothing by comparison.

The most engaging aspect of the film is the characterization of Val, a woman caught between what she wants, what she thinks she should want, and what society wants for her. Val is a rebel with an anti-authoritarian punk rock past, and the idea that she is now a "Mama" first and a person second clearly bothers her. She doesn't take naturally to anything maternal, and her family's teasing about the time she.

For Valeria, becoming a mother is her biggest goal and desire. But, not everything is color pink after receiving the big news that she's in fact pregnant. Everything and everyone around her turns into a negative energy that forces Valeria to return to her past and dig up her real desires and identity. The exploration of motherhood is a well known subject in the horror genre since the release of Rosemary's Baby back in 1968. After that we have seen it over and over with the same outcome but this time the director brings a whole new perspective and approach creating a powerful and haunting horror film.

Huesera (The Bone Woman) takes motherhood and combines it with Mexican myths, folklore and body horror. This added to the outstanding performance of Natalia Solián as Valeria and mesmerizing cinematography, turns Huesera into one of the best Mexican horror films ever made. The film relies heavily in symbolism, specifically spiders, Mexican religious beliefs and superstitions instead of just jumps scares creating a tense and heavy atmosphere. Natalia Solián carries the film and gives a convincing and memorable performance throughout the whole film without missing a bit. Her struggle to find her true self and happiness can be felt creating an emotional connection with the viewer.

The internal battle of Valeria and her family situations that are presented are relatable and real life experiences that any woman could have in her life. Huesera feels genuine, and its a raw representation of how the expectations of everyone around you can force you to a life that you don't want but you're convinced that is the right path in life.

No pun intended here - especially because the movie Serial Mom has nothing in common with this one right here. But the pun seemed to good to not use. So you have a woman who is about to become a mother - and a lot of people doubting her - well her abilities to be one. The question is: are they right? And what is it that makes her afraid? And see things that is of course.

The movie has a lot of connections and a lot of allegories ... and quite the horror part within itself. What really elevates the whole thing? The sound design is amazing by the way! Foley work and generally the work that was done on the movie in that departments ... it deserves all the praise.

Actors are really good too. But it is overall a slow burn. And while you may have to answer some of the questions yourself (and check reality or whatever you want to call it), the movie is quite straight when it comes to its end ... and it works more than well.