Phenomena (2023)

Phenomena is special because it treats its paranormal premise like a playground for three terrific actresses, letting wit and warmth sit right alongside genuine jolts of dread. Set in late-’90s Madrid, it has that cozy, old-school supernatural-investigation vibe—flashlights, creaking rooms, and the creeping sense that something is watching—yet it never forgets the pleasure of watching Gloria, Paz, and Sagrario bicker, bond, and barrel forward with stubborn courage. Carlos Therón keeps the pace brisk and the tone nimble, so the scares land without smothering the comedy, and the comedy doesn’t deflate the stakes. If you want relentless, bleak horror, this isn’t that kind of night; but if you’re on the fence and crave an entertaining, spirited blend of thrills and laughs anchored by a winning trio, it’s an easy recommendation.

Phenomena wants to be a lively, late-’90s Spanish paranormal caper—part spooky investigation, part buddy comedy—built around three charismatic, middle-aged women who deserve more films like this. The problem is it often plays like a stitched-together TV pilot: the tone wobbles between scares and gags, the plot gets muddled, and it leans hard on familiar haunted-antique-shop and possession beats without finding a sharp identity of its own. If you’re after clean, escalating horror or a tight thriller mystery, you’ll likely find it messy and oddly weightless despite the violence and “scary” moments. But if you mainly want likable leads, some nostalgic atmosphere, and a casual supernatural ride that doesn’t demand too much, it can still be an easy enough watch.