Wow, what a hard-hitting and sensitive film. And so different from what I usually watch. I realize far too rarely that I’ve mainly watched Western films (primarily American, of course) throughout my life, and only in recent years have I consciously decided to explore movies from around the world. It’s just so incredibly beautiful to see how drastically films, content, atmospheres, and actors can differ.

Holy Spider isn’t a typical thriller like I expected, and I really liked that. Instead of building suspense through uncertainty, the focus here is on the human and societal aspects. The film’s grounded, almost documentary-like approach gives it a rawness that’s both unsettling and captivating. What starts as a crime story evolves into a case study on the injustice of religion and the state. I never could have predicted the way the film unfolds.

That said, I must admit I’m completely in the dark when it comes to life in other countries. The film portrays the oppressive environment with such intensity that I found myself reflecting on the privileges and freedoms I often take for granted. I’m one of the privileged few who can simply watch something like this and then write a review about it on Letterboxd while sitting at work, sipping a warm coffee. That makes me feel like I’m not really in a position to say much, so I can only comment on the film itself, not necessarily on what it’s trying to express.

As for Holy Spider itself, I found it very interesting and good, but I’m not used to this style of storytelling. As a result, I felt a bit lost at times and couldn’t fully grasp what was going on. Despite this, the film’s atmospheric tension and the raw performances of the cast left a strong impression on me. The lead actors in particular delivered emotionally charged and convincing portrayals that carried the weight of the film’s themes. I’m sure I missed certain issues and themes here and there. Nevertheless, the film had its impact on me, and in some ways, I was able to empathize. But to truly grasp the bigger picture, I’m definitely lacking the necessary background knowledge. I imagine you could write pages and pages about this film.

All in all, it’s a heavy topic with hard-hitting moments in a human environment that feels incredibly threatening. The way Holy Spider exposes systemic failures and societal hypocrisy is both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling, making it a film that lingers long after the credits roll.