By Hope Madden 
Barcelona Underground
Newly assigned to work at one of Barcelona’s quietest subway stops, Laura quickly realises something is deeply wrong beneath the tracks. Whispers of an urban legend swirl sinisterly around the station, and she soon finds herself haunted by a string of unexplained deaths all pointing to Rocafort. When she enlists a disgraced ex-cop to help uncover the truth, the mystery turns deadly. Whatever evil lurks inside the labyrinth of tunnels preys unrelentingly on fear — and now, it’s coming for her.
Barcelona Underground Review: A Derailed Horror Misfire
A Horror Movie review by Hope Madden
Hope Madden’s review of Barcelona Underground pulls no punches, declaring it a messy and unscary addition to the subway horror genre. Despite a promising setting infamous for its suicides, the film squanders its potential with a nonsensical plot, wasted performances, and a complete failure to capitalise on its claustrophobic atmosphere. Read on to discover why this is one train of terror you’ll want to miss.
Subways can be very scary places. An American Werewolf in London knew it. Del Toro’s Mimic. Midnight Meat Train. Jacob’s Ladder. A Quiet Place: Day One. These films amplified the claustrophobic subterranean atmosphere for all its hellscape potential.
Luis Prieto’s Barcelona Underground (also variously called Last Stop: Rocafort St. and Rocafort Station) tries to tap into that mass transit terror. Laura (Natalia Azahara) has a new job manning the Rocafort stop on Barcelona’s subway system, which is legendary for its suicides. Three of every four subway suicides in the city take place at the Rocafort Street stop.
It all started back when Román (Javier Gutiérrez) was still a cop. He followed serial killer Elías Soro through the labyrinthine tunnels but wasn’t quick enough to save the family of four Soro had taken hostage.
Were they suicides? They were not. How is this connected to the suicides? And why is Laura haunted by hallucinations ever since she witnessed one? Who knows, honestly? I sat through the whole movie and feel confident in saying that Prieto never truly connects the folklore, exorcism, and police procedural threads to even begin to make sense of this plot.
Worse, he doesn’t capitalize on the horrific possibilities available in a subway tunnel.
Barcelona Underground is a hodgepodge of obvious cliches and worn-out tropes slapped together with nonsensical panache. Each piece is incredibly familiar, but not one fits snugly in place beside the next piece. It’s as if Prieto, writing with Ivan Ledesma and Ángel Agudo, lifted the most cliched scene from a dozen films and taped them together, hoping to create a single tale.
None of it works because none of it makes sense. Both Azahara and Gutiérrez do what they can with poorly written roles, but the senseless mishmash of a story arc keeps either from crafting a recognizable character.
Plus, it’s not scary.
An American Werewolf in London is scary, though. Do with that information what you will.
Fright Club Bonus: Check out the Writing Across Platforms workshop at Nightmares Film Festival.
So grateful to Nightmares Film Festival for the opportunity to talk about how screenwriters can leverage publishing opportunities to find success.
Horror Movie Reviews on Ginger Nuts of Horror
Horror movie fans looking to deepen their appreciation for the genre should definitely check out the Horror Movie Review section of Ginger Nuts of Horror. This platform is a treasure trove of insights, critiques, and discussions that resonate with both casual viewers and dedicated aficionados alike.
Firstly, the reviews are penned by passionate writers who understand the intricacies of horror filmmaking. They delve deep into the elements that make each film unique, from unsettling visuals to compelling sound design, offering a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond superficial impressions. Such in-depth reviews can enhance viewers’ understanding and appreciation of the genre, revealing layers of meaning and intention that may go unnoticed during a first watch.
Lastly, with its focus on both mainstream and indie films, the Horror Movie Review section is an excellent resource to stay updated on upcoming releases and trends in the horror landscape. For any horror buff, exploring The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website is an essential step toward a deeper connection with the genre.
