“The Elderly” Is A Geriatric Horror About Family and Aging

In a world where heatwaves and the well-being of octogenarians are making headlines, “The Elderly” delves into the complexity of how society treats its aging population and the stories that unfold as a result. Similar to themes covered in “The Amusement Park,” this Spanish language title might make you think of your own family. Or it might remind you how fragile our loved ones are as they get older.

Naia, a compassionate teenage girl, is deeply concerned about the marginalization of older individuals. Driven by her empathy, she goes out of her way to lend a helping hand whenever she can. When her grandfather, Manuel, loses his beloved wife, Naia sides with her father, Mario, in persuading Manuel to move in with their family. However, Mario’s wife, Lena, isn’t entirely convinced. Having recently experienced financial hardships and expecting a baby, Lena questions the fairness of accommodating another person. Especially one with specific needs.

Care At Home For The Elderly

As the family gathers at Manuel’s apartment to discuss the move, Naia senses something peculiar in the air. The rising temperatures of summer intensify the underlying tension. Unbeknownst to everyone, a mysterious secret looms over the elderly population, a secret that the filmmakers deliberately choose to keep under wraps.

Once Manuel settles in with Naia’s family, it becomes apparent that something is amiss. Manuel begins hearing whispered voices, while Naia starts experiencing vivid dreams involving her late grandmother. All the while, the family grapples with Manuel’s increasingly unstable behavior, torn between the desire to care for him at home and the consideration of a nursing home.

The film’s score, a haunting blend of eerie strings and pulsating rhythms, keeps viewers perpetually on edge, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation. Dark and enigmatic imagery of older generations lurking in the background, each with their own hidden agenda, adds to the growing sense of suspicion and doom. Each of them can hear something that leads them to think the end is coming and the impending doom hangs over the entire storyline.

“Us old people have to die, to make way for you.”

Quote from the title, Viejos (The Elderly)

Abuse on “The Elderly”

Despite its promising premise and the potential for chaos, “The Elderly” does have some flaws. Certain scenes focusing on the characters’ reactions may linger for longer than necessary. The anticipated gore and violence primarily occur off-screen, and left me wanting more.

Furthermore, the inclusion of intimate moments involving aging bodies amplifies the feeling of vulnerability. I was constantly torn between feeling like I was under siege and wanting to whisk him away to safety and predicting he might kill everyone in his path. Octogenarian nakedness is reminiscent of recent trends in filmmaking.

Some intriguing subplots are left unexplained and unexplored, and that left me wanting further development. Naida’s boyfriend, Joti has a scary moment with a man in a wheelchair that results in a bizarre injury. I would have liked to have seen this explored more.

The on-screen moments of brutality, such as the tragic death of an infant and the brutal murder of a pregnant woman, push the boundaries. There are also scenes of elder abuse, and depictions of life in aged care facilities both of which pull the heartstrings despite the threatening nature of the aged en masse.

The ending, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. With a touch of science fiction and the gathering of aging individuals, the film fails to solidify the ideas it presents. One can only speculate that Naia, with her compassionate heart for the elderly, is positioned as a symbol for challenging societal norms regarding the treatment of older generations.

However, with only a final image to ponder, the exact intention remains unclear. Despite these shortcomings, “The Elderly” offers a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of aging and the narratives that unfold within families and communities.

The Elderly is rated

3.75 Padlocks for the doors out of 5

Watch the Trailer for The Elderly

“Viejos” Where to Watch

It stars Zorion Eguileor (Netflix hit “The Platform“) and is directed by Raúl Cerezo and Fernando González Gómez.

Distribution Company: Dark Star Pictures & Filmax.
Theatrical Release Date: October 13, 2023.
VOD & Blu-Ray Release Date: October 31, 2023.
Directors: Raúl Cerezo, Fernando González Gómez.
Writers: Raúl Cerezo, Javier Trigales, Rubén Sánchez Trigos.

Runtime: 95 Minutes

“The Elderly” movie was reviewed as a screener sent by distributors. For another review see this link from Horror Obsessive.