Tesis (1996)
AKA: Thesis
Year: 1996
Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar
Starring: Ana Torrent (Angela), Fele Martínez (Chema), Eduardo Noriega (Bosco), Xabier Elorriaga (Prof. Castro), Miguel Picazo (Prof. Figueroa)
Country: Spain, European Cinema
Language: Spanish (English subs)
Runtime: 02:04:08
Genres: Snuff, Serial Killers, Violence against Women
Plot – Spoilers:
Angela has a developing taste for the morbid and decides to prepare a thesis on the subject of Audio-Visual Violence. Her University Professor, though initially skeptical, encourages her and offers to help with access to some of the more effed up sections of the Uni’s cinema archives.
From an academic viewpoint, she attempts to befriend a weird guy at school, Chema, who’s notorious for his collection of effed up cinema apart from his choice of tshirts that include a Cannibal Holocaust ode. Chema is socially awkward but invites her over to watch some of his greatest hits, because she is “gorgeous”, as he puts it.
Things however begin to get murky when Angela’s Prof dies while watching a movie he borrowed from the School archives – Angela later finds it to be a snuff movie of a college girl who went missing couple years before. She shows it to Chema who activates his sleuth mode and tries to extract clues from the video. Meanwhile, Angela finds herself sexually enamored by a mysterious student Bosco, whom Chema hates and is jealous of.
Within no time however, Angela becomes the next target for the snuff movie makers, and she finds herself suspecting everyone around her.
Honestly a fantastic film. Very relatable and funny character in Chema, and an excellent performance from the protagonist. The plot keeps you guessing and engaged till the very end. Overall would highly recommend.
First Impression: 8.8/10
Does this have English subs?
I enjoyed this film. Thanks for adding it this site!
Solid film. Very DePalmaesque.
This is my favorite movie of all time, it’s been for 10 years now. Good to have it here.
I enjoyed this film. Granted, there were a few holes in the plot, but hey everything seemed to come together at the end. Well made. Well acted. Well written and well filmed. Still, I wish we would have gotten to see the guy bisected by the train…. Now I’d buy that for a dollar!
Suspenseful, thrilling and keeps you guessing until the end. Highly recommend!
long, boring, and overrated. I watched it becuase of the 4+ stars. Couldn’t get over the many plot flaws.
Chema is the best! He should practically be on the banner for this website as the mascot, he is us lol.
Great movie
Snuff 102 and Tesis , two great spanish movies!
very sad that chema gets no pussy 🙁
Give the people what they want. What a great film! Great mix of psychological thriller and even comedic elements. Great acting and memorable leads!
“Death to Videodrome – Long live the Spirit of the Beehive” – #44