Parvulos

Isaac Ezban's Párvulos is a haunting, evocative tale that blends post-apocalyptic horror with a deeply emotional exploration of family love and sacrifice. Set in the aftermath of the fictional Omega pandemic, which decimated the world and turned much of humanity into zombie creatures, the film follows three young brothers - Salvador, Oliver and Benjamin - as they try to survive in an isolated house in the forest. The absence of adult supervision and the presence of a terrifying secret in their basement pave the way for a story that's as much about growing up as it is about navigating a nightmarish new reality. With spellbinding direction, nuanced performances and an austere visual aesthetic, Isaac Ezban creates a story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Párvulos is a study of sibling relationships in a troubled world. Salvador, played with depth by Farid Escalante Correa, is the older brother and de facto leader, thrust into the role of protector and provider. Salvador's physical vulnerability - he lost a leg in an earlier incident - is juxtaposed with his emotional resilience and unyielding commitment to keeping his younger brothers alive. His character is a fascinating blend of strength and fragility, embodying both the pressures of adulthood and the remnants of his own lost childhood. Oliver, played by Leonardo Cervantes, is the middle brother, whose moments of quiet introspection and bursts of defiance add layers to the family dynamic. Benjamin, the youngest, is brought to life by Mateo Ortega Casillas with a performance that balances innocence and determination, capturing the paradoxical hope and despair of a child trying to make sense of a crumbling world.

The dynamic between the brothers is the cornerstone of the film. Isaac Ezban uses their interactions to explore universal themes of love, loyalty and the sacrifices demanded by family ties. The brothers' lives are a precarious mix of survival tactics and fleeting moments of joy. Salvador's strict adherence to routine - his morning workouts, the eerily inventive meals he prepares and his insistence on maintaining their makeshift home - is both touching and heartbreaking. These routines are not only a matter of survival, but also an attempt to impose a semblance of normalcy on their fractured existence. Meanwhile, the boys oscillate between the gravity of their situation and the remnants of their childhood, creating moments of warmth and humor that contrast sharply with the darkness of their reality.

Cinematographer Rodrigo Sandoval Vega Gil uses a muted, almost monochromatic color palette that reflects the desolation of the boys' world. The sepia tones lend the story an air of timelessness, making it seem both a relic of the past and a warning of a possible future. The wilderness surrounding the boys' home is both sanctuary and prison, its isolation reinforcing the sense of vulnerability that pervades the narrative. The production design deserves special mention, especially the meticulous details of the boys' home - a chaotic mix of improvised solutions and remnants of their pre-apocalyptic lives. These elements anchor the story in a visceral reality, making their plight all the more moving.

The secret of the cellar is another central element, a source of both dread and intrigue that serves as a metaphor for the unresolved trauma and unanswered questions that haunt the brothers. Without giving too much away, this secret forces the boys - and the audience - to confront uncomfortable truths about survival, morality and the boundaries that must not be crossed to protect one's family. The final revelation of what's hidden in the basement upends the narrative in a way that's both shocking and inevitable, forcing the brothers to re-evaluate their survival strategies and their understanding of each other.

Isaac Ezban's direction is both deliberate and bold, seamlessly blending elements of horror, drama and black comedy. The film's tonal shifts are handled with remarkable finesse, moving from moments of grotesque horror to scenes of tender family bonding without ever giving the impression of being disturbed. One of the film's greatest strengths is its ability to balance these disparate elements, creating a narrative that is as emotional as it is viscerally unsettling. The inclusion of a new character, Valeria, played by Carla Adell, adds a new layer of complexity to the story. Her arrival upsets the fragile balance the brothers have established, bringing both hope and chaos in equal measure.

The film's pace, though deliberate, sometimes seems uneven, particularly in its last half. As the narrative expands to include external threats and ideological conflicts, some of the intimacy that defines the early scenes is lost. The introduction of new elements, such as the “trumpeters” and their unsettling view of the world, adds thematic depth, but also stretches the film's running time, making the story feel overloaded at times. However, these missteps are mitigated by the strength of the performances and the emotional weight of the story.

One of the most striking aspects of Párvulos is its treatment of the zombie theme. Unlike many films of the genre, zombies are not simply mindless monsters, but symbols of the general collapse of society and the personal tragedies that accompany it. The brothers' attempts to tame the creature in their cellar reflect their desperate hope for a return to normalcy, a hope that is both deeply human and profoundly heartbreaking. This nuanced approach to the undead adds layers of complexity to the story, elevating it above genre standards.

Párvulos is a powerful, ambitious film that combines the visceral thrills of horror with the emotional depth of a coming-of-age drama. Isaac Ezban's masterful direction, combined with excellent performances from Farid Escalante Correa, Leonardo Cervantes and Mateo Ortega Casillas, creates a story that is as thought-provoking as it is harrowing. While the film is not without its faults, its exploration of love, sacrifice and the indomitable human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity makes it a standout in the zombie movie genre. Párvulos is a haunting reminder of the resilience of family and the enduring hope that can exist even in the darkest of times.

Parvulos
Directed by Isaac Ezban
Produced by Javier Colinas, Natalia Contreras, Isaac Ezban, Carla Farell, Eduardo Lecuona, Javier Sepulveda, Eckehardt Von Damm
Written by Ricardo Aguado-Fentanes, Isaac Ezban
Starring Carla Adell, Mateo Ortega Casillas, Leonardo Cervantes, Farid Escalante Correa, Norma Flores, Noé Hernández, Horacio F. Lazo, Juan Carlos Remolina
Music by Edy Lan, Camilla Uboldi
Cinematography : Rodrigo Sandoval
Production companies: Corazón Films, Maligno Gorehouse, Red Elephant Films
Distributed by Corazón Films (World-wide, 2024), Firebook Entertainment (World-wide, 2025)
Release date : NC
Running time : 119 minutes

Viewed on September 22, 2024 (Fantastic Fest press screener)

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