Horror movies tap into our primal fears, exploring the unknown and the supernatural. They often feature suspenseful plots, chilling soundtracks, and eerie visuals that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. From classic slasher films to psychological thrillers, horror explores the themes of isolation, madness, and the monstrous. Iconic characters, like vampires and ghosts, symbolize deeper anxieties, while jump scares and tension build a visceral experience. Whether through the lens of societal fears or personal nightmares, horror movies not only entertain but also provoke thought, allowing us to confront our fears in a safe space. They remind us of our humanity in darkness.

There’s a new horror movie coming out today, Friday September 20 from F. Javier Gutierrez. If you enjoy horror movies set in desolate places, consider checking out The Wait (La Espera). It’s in Spanish with English subtitles. 

Los Angeles, CA – Following a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest and an award winning festival tour that included screenings at Sitges, Shanghai, Vancouver, and Oldenburg, Film Movement has announced the official release of The Wait (La Espera). The rural thriller is the latest film from Spanish cult filmmaker F. Javier Gutierrez (Before the Fall, Rings). (Justin Cook, PR, 2024)

The Wait will open theatrically in select markets this Friday, September 20, including Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, Houston and Fresno. On October 4, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own The Wait on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video. and Fandango at Home.

The Wait is produced by Gutierrez’s Unfiled Productions, Nostromo Pictures (Buried, Penny Dreadful), and Spal Films (Before the Fall). The folk horror tragedy stars Victor Clavijo (Before the Fall), Ruth Diaz, Manuel Moron, and Luis Callejo (Below Zero).

The Wait, set in the remote, magical, and forgotten Andalusian countryside has been described as a “love letter to the horror/fantasy genre,” as well as Gutiérrez’s “most intimate and brutal film” to date.

Deep in the Andalusian countryside, Eladio (Clavijo) has been hired to watch over the hunting grounds of Don Francisco’s estate, somewhere in rural Spain. The estate is divided into ten hunting stands, spaced far enough apart to avoid incidents. After three years of service, Don Carlos — Don Francisco’s second in command — offers him a bribe to add an additional three stands to the property. Eladio initially hesitates, but his wife eventually convinces him to take the money. Eladio’s greed has unfortunate consequences that drag his entire family to perdition, and plunging him into the depths of guilt, hatred, and revenge.

The Wait (La Espera): 100 minutes / Spain
Spanish w/ English subtitles

Ahead of the release, Gutierrez enthused, “I’m truly excited to share with American audiences this unsettling story of guilt, loss, revenge, and class divides. Deeply human and rich with symbolism and biblical references, The Wait is my most personal and uncompromising film to date. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Film Movement for making this possible and for their unwavering support and dedication to filmmakers and film lovers around the world.”

The Wait (La Espera) Theatrical Screenings:
Los Angeles: Regal Edwards South Gate
Miami: Regal Southland Mall
Houston: Regal Benders Landing
San Antonio: Regal Cielo Vista
Fresno: Regal Manchester – Fresno

“Clavijo gives a gripping performance as a man driven to desperation in more ways than one….” — Joseph Perry, Horror Fuel

“A slow burn film done right …” — Emilie Black, Cinema Crazed

“…Best enjoyed for its haunting visuals and grime embedded aesthetic.
It is precise filmmaking on many levels.” — Nadine Whitney, AWFJ.org

“A brooding, potent tale of calamity, loss, revenge, and class divides.
It would do it a disservice to call it merely a horror film, as there is
so much more here and plenty of food for thought.”
— Martin Unsworth, Starburst