Ibero-American Feature Film Competition
EL RITUAL DE HUASAO
Esther and Mario return from a holiday in Peru. In the village of Huasao, Esther receives a spiritual cleansing. Back home, she suffers a domestic accident that leaves her unable to move, after an argument with Mario. But Mario harbours a secret that will lead him to make a terrible decision when he finds her — unleashing evil into the lives of all around him.
Festival note by Alejandro Yamgotchian
A notable horror debut from Madrid-based director Isaac Berrocal, working in spirits and possessions with precisely calibrated doses of suspense and dread — a story further strengthened by strong central performances and a social undercurrent rooted in betrayal and the consequences of choices that prioritise personal gain over mutual commitment. Berrocal’s short films have screened and won awards at prestigious festivals including Sitges, and been broadcast on RTVE. He had made a partial feature debut with Vampus Horror Tales (2021), an anthology film made up of several segments directed by five different filmmakers. That film received 34 Goya Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Screenplay — both of which included Berrocal.
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Technical Sheet
- Direction
- Isaac Berrocal
- Screenplay
- Isaac Berrocal
- Country
- España
- Year
- 2026
- Duration
- 83 min
- Rating
- AM 18
- Cast
- Carles Moreu, Esther Ramos, Sarah Sanders, Chiti Abraira, Pape Pérez