The Pact (2018) User Reviews

Is The Price Too High

[Foutainoflife · 6/10 · 5 February 2019]

The mother of a girl in a coma with little chance of survival, makes the decision to enter into a high stakes pact in an attempt to save her daughter's life. This is the basic plot.

Let's start with the positives. This film has a polished look to it, simply meaning that it doesn't look like it was cheaply made. The story is decent and the actors did a great job in their roles.

The negatives. This script could've used some work. The terms of the pact are never really explained well and we never got a good indication as to who the sinister miracle worker is. I didn't really understand the spider aspect. I didn't understand why they were showing up or exactly what they were meant to signify. This was marketed as a horror film but it was more like a dark drama with some supernatural elements.

I didn't think this was an awful film but it could've been much better.

A supernatural thriller and dark drama with tension , creepy atmosphere , genuine chills and suspense

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 9 January 2020]

This bizarre , scary film contains thriller , intense drama , mystery , plot twists and shocks , including decent scares with horrifying sequences especially in its ending segment , in a tense denouement . When Monica (Belén Rueda) finds out her daughter (Mireia Oriol) is about to die she takes extreme measures to save her. She carries out a pact and sells her soul to a weird ghoul in exchange for a life , but things go wrong . Monica signs the pact in her own blood but Evil always claims its debt.

This is a passable and acceptable film , full of thrills , suspense , chills , red herrings , creepy twists and turns . Step by step mystery starts to be unfold ; dealing with a mature woman , Belén Rueda and her separated husband , Dario Grandinetti , both of whom face off bizarre happenings , including grisly killings , resurrection from a deadly coma and fantastic appearance by a creepy spider , among others . It packs twisted mysteries , intrigue , emotion and suspenseful events ; these various elements are mingled in an intelligent and balanced style . This is a highly mysterious and cerebral drama , compellingly shot, as well as a supernatural thriller , filled with twists and turns , including an unexpected conclusion in its final part . From start to finish the complicated intrigue , fast-paced , thrills , and suspense result to be continuous . The original as well entertaining premise is overspread across the movie adding some brief conventional pitfalls . Resulting to be an adequate and decent movie , but inferior than other Belén Rueda's mysterious films . Belén is an actress expert on mystery and horror films , such as : Julia's eyes , The orphanage , No dormirás , Durante la tormenta , Orbita 9 , and The body . This is a haunted movie that contains restless horror and sinister atmosphere when the threatening being shows up . Supernatural thriller being filled with scary deeds , thrills , chills and lots of scares ; however , some confusing and inexplicable , the reason for the terms of the covenant are never really explained . Suspense and the tense moments are continued and appear lurking and menacing into dining room , hallway , and rooms . It's recreated with high grade plethora special effects 3D , which are frightening and horrifying the spectator , particularly the spontaneous appearance of a terrible spider . Some reviewers consider the film as a horror movie , but it not has enough terror as expected ; being more like a supernatural drama with some frightening ingredients .

It contains an eerie and intriguing musical score by Miquel Coll, creating a spooky environment . As well as dark and atmospheric cinematography by Elias M. Felix . This slow-burn drama with mystery/supernatural events was professionally directed by David Victory . However , It won Yoga Awards 2019 , Winner Yoga Award Worst Spanish Film . David Victori is a young filmmaker who was World Winner of the YouTube's Film Festival . He was selected by Variety and ScreenDaily as one of the directors to watch in the coming years. Represented by CAA. Writer of the Spanish Films "Second Origin" (2015) and " Son of Cain" (2013). Director and Writer of award-winning short films worldwide, including "Reaction" (2008) "The Guilt" (2010) , Zero" (2015) produced by Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender and director of a PrimeTime .TV Show "Flatline" (2017).

If you like supernatural Dramas/Thrillers.

[gimailito · 5/10 · 17 December 2018]

The first part is interesting but towards the end is more like a supernatural Drama, Thriller that does not have that amount of Horror as expected. Belén Rueda did a really good work here, the rest of the cast too. Of the aforementioned I liked more No dormirás (2018).

Slow, dull, no thrill in this thriller

[bosoxrudy · 2/10 · 13 August 2021]

The Pact moves incredibly slowly, with most of the movie made up of dark creepy shots. Very little in the way of plot, action, or dialog, this movie just drags & drags. Don't waste your time.

Subtle Spanish supernatural thriller.....

[s3276169 · 7/10 · 18 June 2019]

This is slow burn supernatural thriller and that's not going to appeal to everyone.

That said, if you give this film a chance its actually quite interesting. The premise is not a new one but its presented in such a subtle understated manner, that the story avoids becoming an Faustian cliche.

There's a decent twist near the end I did not see coming either that ties into the emotional family dynamic in a way any parent can relate to.

7/10 from me.

Very Interesting...

[meetmustafa08 · 7/10 · 26 December 2018]

I cannot give harsh reviews to this movie bcz I didn't disappoint from this movie... Worth to watch..

Another take on a common trope

[revdennis · 7/10 · 21 June 2021]

Despite the unanswered questions (like who the deal-maker really is or what's the power source behind him or what ultimately happened to the madre from the opening scene), the film held my attention, had great moments of suspense, and good acting from main characters.

Why are Spanish horrors so good!?

[sataniela · 9/10 · 20 January 2019]

The Spanish are masters in these kinds of movies. In the spirit and atmosphere style like "Los Sin Nombre" and "El Orfanato", it combines drama with mystery/supernatural in a balanced and intelligent way. The story plays with the concept of is the life of a random person worth taking to save the life of a loved relative, and plays it very well. Really makes you think, if it were you, would you do it? Or would you step down at the border of selfishness?.. Definately worth watching, and thinking.

Brilliant..highly recommended , i like Spanish movies 😍✌

[mohammadjalshowbaki · 8/10 · 24 January 2019]

Very good thriller and good story .. i love it .. as the rest of spanish movies .. they are unique 😍