The Communion Girl

A likeable Spanish ghost film without any higher ambitions, but it reliably meets all the necessary parameters, and nothing better from the ghost genre has come out this year. The story is set in the 1980s and centres on two friends who go out partying, get molly and hitchhike home with two guys. On their way they run into a girl holding a doll who disappeared years ago, and the trouble can begin. Pretty interesting ghost mythology around the doll and the ghost, likeable young actors, the ghost looks great (like a zombie bride but perfect practical make-up, no CGI), really uncomfortable look, has a nice pace, and the film isn't afraid to execute some of the characters, which I always welcome, and the atmosphere is cool too (the jump-scares didn't really work for me, but the ghost's appearance on the set just looked good and had the appropriate gusto). It's not as good as Don’t Listen or Malasaña 32, but it's still better than anything from America, or this year. If the competition was bigger, I'd stick with a strong three stars, but it's been a long time since I've seen a nicely made ghost film with a fine villain, so I'll happily upgrade. 7/10. (04/16/2023)