What she doesn't know

The film What She Doesn't Know, directed by Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, dares to shake up the usual codes of the slasher genre by removing what most audiences expect, namely graphic murders and relentless suspense, to focus instead on a slow and intense exploration of the anxieties of teenagers at a time in their lives marked by both fragility and carefreeness. The story follows three recent high school graduates, Indy, played by Siena Agudong, Jordan, played by Conor Husting, and Brynn, played by Jessica Belkin, as they take refuge in Brynn's lavish and strange family home. While their classmates are being hunted by the Genesis killer, a murderer who leaves behind a signature by removing a rib from each of his victims, the trio is less consumed by fear of imminent death than troubled by the uncertainty of their future. The plot is fascinating: the serial killings loom like a shadow in the background, while the real horror lies in the emotional fractures between friends suddenly confronted with what the future holds for them.

The film's opening sequence sets the stage for its bold departure from convention. Instead of the archetypal shocking murder that has defined the slasher genre since the cult sagas Halloween and Scream, Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz offers tension, but no blood. A girl receives a chilling phone call, the tension rises, and just as the audience is about to experience a visceral release, the act itself remains unseen. This choice seems both courageous and frustrating, inviting viewers to rethink their expectations. As the story progresses, we realize that this approach is not a gimmick, but a recurring motif. The murders remain largely off-screen, conveyed through whispered conversations and memories rather than violent scenes. In doing so, the film focuses on the characters themselves, immersing us in their emotional and psychological landscape rather than the carnage.

The screenplay, written by Terry Castle and Sarah Howard, reinforces this character-driven approach, filling much of the film with long conversations between the three protagonists. We see Indy and Jordan silently struggling with their desire to leave their stifling small town, while hiding their ambitions from Brynn, who clings desperately to the idea of preserving their friendship. This creates a constant underlying tension that is very human and easy to understand, but which, when stretched over much of the film, risks becoming repetitive. At times, it feels as if the Genesis killer is almost too much in the background, mentioned more as an urban legend than as an immediate threat. Yet this imbalance holds an interesting critique: What She Doesn't Know suggests that for some teenagers, the specter of adulthood is far more terrifying than the threat of death itself. However, the film often struggles to maintain its pace, and the lengthy dialogue can weigh heavily on the audience.

What keeps the film from collapsing under the weight of its introspection is the magnetic presence of Denise Richards, who bursts into the story with chaotic energy. Her wild performance electrifies the screen, and for a moment, the film comes alive in a way that recalls the best of genre cinema. Unfortunately, her role is far too brief, and once she leaves the scene, the narrative falls back into its meditative rhythm, leaving viewers craving the spark she brought to the film. In hindsight, her appearance almost seems like a deliberate jolt from the filmmakers, a reminder that danger and unpredictability persist in this carefully controlled world.

What ultimately saves What She Doesn't Know is its bold final act. After what feels like a deliberate test of patience, Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz unveils a climax that is both thrilling and rewarding. Some twists are foreshadowed early on, but others come as a real shock, forcing viewers to reconsider the meaning of previous conversations and subtle details. The film, which began by depriving the audience of the satisfaction of a traditional ending, ultimately exceeds all expectations, proving that the lengthy setup was not in vain. It's rare to see a horror film that isn't afraid to highlight its weaknesses and save the best for last, but here, the gamble pays off.

Among the many horror films seen recently, What She Doesn't Know occupies an interesting place. It will inevitably divide audiences: purists looking for thrills and creative kills may be put off by its refusal to satisfy these desires, while viewers open to a more experimental and emotional approach to the genre will discover unexpected riches in its deliberate pace and psychological depth. The killer Genesis, though underused, functions less as a central villain than as a narrative device, a reminder of mortality that pushes the young protagonists to face choices they would rather postpone. In this way, the slasher element becomes almost symbolic, an external representation of the internal fears that haunt these characters.

With hindsight, the film's flaws are hard to ignore. The repetitive dialogue, the departure from horror conventions, and a few slow moments in the pacing will test even the most patient viewers. Yet it's just as difficult to dismiss the vision behind it: a slasher that refuses to be a slasher, the story of teenagers confronted with a world that seems more threatening than any masked killer. The journey may be uneven, but the destination is worth the wait. What She Doesn't Know isn't a film for everyone, but for those willing to take the risk, it offers an ending that lingers in the memory long after its flaws have faded.

What She Doesn't Know
Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz
Written by Terry Castle, Sarah Howard
Produced by Michael Bleyzer, Natasha Bleyzer, Terry Castle, Sarah Howard, Jack McWilliams
Starring Denise Richards, Johanna Braddy, Jessica Belkin, Ella Anderson, Siena Agudong, Maria Zhang, Phoebe Holden, Conor Husting, Jay Walker, Summer Parker, Haley Grace, Kathryn Howard, P. Michael Hayes
Director of photography: Gemma Doll-Grossman
Editing: Juan Pablo Arias Munoz, David Holland
Production companies: Lucky Number 8 Productions
Distributed by NC
Release dates: NC
Running time: 96 minutes

Seen on August 23, 2025 (Frightfest press screening)

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