Netflix’s Hidden Horror Movie ‘Disappear Completely’ Deserves More Attention
Streaming platforms often present challenges for smaller international films to gain visibility, especially when they lack a significant marketing campaign. Each week, a deluge of new titles competes for viewers’ attention, and it’s frequently the quieter releases that get overlooked, regardless of their quality.
This is precisely what occurred with a particular Mexican psychological horror film. After premiering at Fantastic Fest in 2022, it only arrived on Netflix in April 2024, yet it still managed to secure a spot in the platform’s top 10 most-watched list in its home country, despite minimal international buzz.
The film in question is ‘Disappear Completely,’ directed by Luis Javier Henaine. It currently boasts a remarkable 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, an impressive achievement for a title that has largely remained under the radar since its streaming release.
The narrative centers on Santiago, portrayed by Harold Torres, a tabloid photojournalist who profits from photographing crime scenes and accidents. After he captures images of a gravely injured politician at a particularly horrific crime scene, Santiago falls victim to a curse that begins to strip away his five senses one by one.
As time slips away, Santiago races to find a way to lift the curse while also grappling with a strained relationship with his pregnant girlfriend, Marce. The story deeply integrates Mexican folk horror traditions, intertwining witchcraft and superstition into its plot in a manner that feels authentic rather than exaggerated for effect.
Henaine has expressed his intention to ground the film’s supernatural elements in relatable issues. He shared with Eye For Film that he aimed to create a personal narrative centered on real-world concerns while balancing the folk horror elements that hold significant cultural importance in Mexico, where witchcraft is taken seriously by many.
This commitment to realism also influenced the film’s technical choices. Henaine explained that he wanted the film’s style to evolve alongside Santiago’s diminishing senses, intentionally slowing the pacing and making the presentation more subjective as the character loses his hearing, effectively immersing the audience in his unraveling experience.
Critics have lauded both the film’s technical execution and its concept. The cinematography, shot in a 3:2 aspect ratio reminiscent of traditional newspaper photography, and the sound design, which transitions to monoaural as Santiago loses his hearing, have been highlighted as standout features that draw viewers into the character’s physical and psychological decline.
Harold Torres’ performance has also received consistent acclaim, with critics noting his ability to keep Santiago’s descent believable and emotionally grounded, even as the character’s dialogue fades away entirely in the film’s final moments. This balance between visceral horror and authentic character development is part of what has made the film resonate strongly with the critics who have seen it.
With a constant influx of new titles cycling through Netflix’s catalog, it’s understandable how a smaller international release like this one could slip past many viewers. However, for horror enthusiasts willing to explore beyond the platform’s most heavily promoted offerings, ‘Disappear Completely’ presents a genuinely unsettling and technically ambitious experience that has rightfully earned its perfect critical score.
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