Souls in Conflict: A dusty, dramatic relic

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, you probably shouldn't bother unless you’re a completist for this specific era of cinema. If you enjoy movies that take their sweet time getting to the point, you might find something here, but everyone else will likely be bored to tears within twenty minutes.

It’s the kind of film that feels like a dusty book you found in an attic. It’s got charm if you like that sort of thing, but it’s definitely not for everyone. 🎞️

The vibe

The whole thing feels a bit trapped. Not just the characters, but the camera too. There are moments where the lighting hits someone's face just right, and for a split second, you think, "okay, this is actually working." But then the scene keeps going for another minute, and the air just sort of leaks out of the room.

It reminds me a bit of the slow, heavy atmosphere in Pax Domine, though maybe a little less focused. People talk at each other instead of to each other. It’s all very theatrical, which I guess is the point, but it lacks that sharp edge that makes older dramas feel timeless.

Odd little things

• There is this one shot of a staircase that feels like it lasts for an eternity. I started counting the shadows just to keep busy.
• The way Amparo Arozamena stares down the camera sometimes—it’s like she knows the script is a bit thin and she’s trying to compensate with pure willpower.
• The music swells at the most random times, like the editor accidentally nudged the volume knob.

I found myself thinking about The Demon while watching this, mainly because both films feel like they’re trying to build a pressure cooker that just never quite reaches a boil. It’s all simmer, no heat.

There’s a scene about halfway through—I won’t spoil it—but the dialogue becomes so stilted it’s almost funny. You can see the actors trying to navigate these massive blocks of text without tripping over their own feet. It’s not necessarily a bad performance, just a really awkward moment.

Final thoughts

It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s not a disaster. It’s just... there. It’s a movie that exists to fill a time slot on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. If you’re looking for something that will challenge your brain, look elsewhere. If you want to watch people look miserable in black and white for an hour, well, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Sometimes the movie gets noticeably better when it stops trying to be so serious, but those moments are rare. Don't go in expecting anything groundbreaking. Just go in expecting some old-fashioned drama, and you'll be fine. 🤷‍♂️