Fever Dream – Netflix Review (3/5)

FEVER DREAM on Netflix is a thriller with a supernatural and sinister twist. This is a Spanish-language production (org. title Distancia de rescate). A visually stunning character-driven movie. Read our full Fever Dream movie review here!

FEVER DREAM is a new Netflix thriller that features a supernatural plot. However, the story itself is very much character-driven and plays with chronology. It almost feels as if it’s narrated since it starts with one person asking another to remember what happened.

You should get into this form of storytelling very quickly. And not only is it intriguing, but it also keeps you extremely engaged as you’re watching. Especially since the additional genres are drama, horror, and mystery. Also, the runtime is just 93 minutes, so it doesn’t drag on for too long.

Continue reading our Fever Dream movie review below.

Visually stunning with a sinister twist

For me, the narrative element combined with the flashbacks and changes in chronology reminded me of Memento (2000) by Christopher Nolan. A movie I have loved since first watching it.

Mind you, Fever Dream is nothing like Memento in other ways except the mystery element being uncovered as someone tries to remember what has happened. Other than that, Fever Dream is every bit as beautiful, vibrant, and colorful as Memento is dark and brooding.

However, for me, that just meant the more sinister elements of Fever Dream hit even harder.

My one big regret with Fever Dream is that I wanted more. Both of the relationship between the two women – who have a chemistry that is off the charts but never act on it – and of the story. And yet, I completely recognize that leaving us [the audience] wanting more is the way to go.

Broken souls and looming environmental catastrophes

Without giving away any spoilers (because this is from the official plot), the key elements of the story are built around broken souls and toxins which result in looming environmental and spiritual catastrophes. More than anything, the “rescuing distance” (which is a key phrase) between a parent and their child is the key element.

We’ve watched a few movies about the impact of toxins (such as pesticides) on the environment. In particular, how this affects the next generation. The newly released “Welcome to the Blumhouse” movie Madres also utilized this – albeit, ultimately, in a very different way.

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Our review of the Prime Video horror movie Madres here >

In these stories, you need strong characters that the audience cares about. And for that to work, you need actors to portray these characters in the best way possible. For Fever Dream, María Valverde is perfect as Amanda (the main protagonist) and Dolores Fonzi is equally brilliant as the mysterious Carola.

For me, the scenes featuring María Valverde (also starring in the new Netflix movie Sounds Like Love) and Dolores Fonzi (Blood Will Tell) playing off of – and sometimes almost against – one another, are what keeps you hooked and curious.

In other words, watch this Netflix movie for them and for the amazing visuals and intelligent story.

Watch Fever Dream on Netflix

Claudia Llosa is the writer and director of Fever Dream (org. title Distancia de rescate) which was shot in Chile, but co-produced with Peru, Spain, Argentina, and the US as well. Also, the movie is based on the novel by Samanta Schweblin, which I am definitely intrigued enough to check out now.

Again, because I still want more of this story!

This is the fourth adaption of something Samanta Schweblin has written, but the first time a novel has been adapted into a feature film. Prior to this, three short films based on her short stories have been made. From what I can gather, she tends to write stories with supernatural elements tied into memories. Something I definitely like!

For writer-director Claudia Llosa, this is her fourth feature film in these capacities. Her previous movie was Aloft (2014) which starred Jennifer Connelly, Cillian Murphy, and Mélanie Laurent. Personally, I hope Netflix has secured a deal with her for more movies, so she can continue to reach audiences worldwide.

While Fever Dream might not be for everyone, it is definitely not boring or forgettable.

Fever Dream is out on Netflix from October 13, 2021.

Details

Director: Claudia Llosa
Writers: Claudia Llosa (manuscript), Samanta Schweblin (novel)
Stars: María Valverde, Dolores Fonzi, Guillermo Pfening, Emilio Vodanovich, Guillermina Sorribes Liotta, Marcelo Michinaux, Germán Palacios