The film stars Emeraude Toubia (“Shadowhunters”), David Dastmalchian (Oppenheimer), Paul Ben-Victor (The Irishman), José Zúñiga (Twilight), Diana Lein (Tattoo of Revenge), and Emilia Faucher (CODA). ROSARIO is Director Felipe Vargas
Run Time: 88 minutes
Rating: R
Mucho Mas Releasing
Death is not a finality that ends at your last breath. There are always things that will remain that remind us of the departed. Sometimes, these things are good memories, like a photo from a family event or belongings of the deceased. These things can also remind us of bad times. Sometimes unresolved issues with the departed will trigger torment, which may linger for long periods. Things get worse when you’ve shut one side of your family off from the other. Horror isn’t just about things that go bump in the night, horror can be the emotions we grow through when life takes us off the road we know so well. Reality is scarier than any masked boogieman, because it can happen, and how we deal with it can open up even more skeletons in closets.
From the moment she steps into the building, things feel… off. The place is rundown, cloaked in shadows and the weight of something unspoken. Marty (Paul Ben-Victor), the landlord, is cordial but distant, eerily unfazed by Griselda’s death, and his brief interactions with Rosario suggest he’s hiding more than just faulty plumbing. Then there’s Joe (David Dastmalchian), the neighbour from across the hall, who’s oddly persistent about reclaiming an air fryer he insists he lent to Griselda. Rosario doesn’t believe him, and the way he eyes the apartment, you wouldn’t either.
As Rosario explores the apartment, unsettling details begin to surface: trinkets, symbols, and an atmosphere thick with unease. The suspicion that her grandmother may have cursed her begins to take root. The deeper she digs, the more she’s forced to confront long-buried memories and truths. And soon, it becomes clear that something malevolent is at play, something that doesn’t want her to leave.
“Rosario” marks the feature directorial debut of Felipe Vargas, and it’s a standout. Vargas hits all the right notes, crafting a horror story that feels unnervingly real. He weaves themes of grief, guilt, and estrangement seamlessly into the film’s supernatural framework. The scares aren’t your standard fare either, no predictable jump scares here. Instead, they creep in quietly, striking when Rosario is most vulnerable, focused on the emotional weight of the moment.
Credit is also due to Alan Trezza, whose screenplay grounds the horror in human experience. His writing brings depth and emotional resonance to Rosario’s journey, making the terror feel all the more intimate. Together, Trezza and Vargas have created something rare, a horror film that’s both frightening and deeply relatable.
Emeraude Toubia delivers a standout performance as Rosario Fuentes, grounding the character with authenticity and emotional depth. She carries much of the film’s emotional weight, making the story feel both believable and impactful.
The film’s special effects and makeup are equally impressive: eerie without being over-the-top, unsettling without breaking believability. It’s the kind of movie best watched with friends, especially those who appreciate layered, atmospheric horror.
If there’s one critique, it’s that David Dastmalchian is underutilized. Given his range, you can’t help but want more from his character. But aside from that, Rosario is a haunting, emotional rollercoaster, one that lingers long after the credits roll.
Mucho Mas Releasing will release the horror film ROSARIO in theatres nationwide on May 2, 2025.
