Tarumama (2021) Review

After a personal tragedy befalls Sara (Paula Castaño) and Óscar (Andres Londono) they decide to take their two children on a vacation to a cabin in the woods. With their marriage on the brink of collapse and strange occurrences plaguing their trip the family are pushed further and further apart, letting something evil draw in.

Despite it seeming like just another cabin-in-the-woods story, Tarumama strikes the right balance between drama and horror, crafting a human story about the strains of grief on a relationship and re-working the tale of La Llorona into a believable and grounded film that spares the jump scares and instead focuses atmosphere and anxiety.

The sound design here really plays havoc on your nerves. Creepy, atmospheric strings draw out the tension on an already tense family. Long creaky doors, shuffling footsteps on wooden floors and a haunting cry from a wailing woman create night-time scenes that torment your mind.

It’s a visual treat at times too as thick fog swallows the thick, mossy woodland, bringing with it a ghoulish formation to haunt the family. The cabin feels compact and claustrophobic, scenes are shot high to feel like something is bearing down and antagonising Sara and Oscar. You watch, waiting for a moments relief but instead the story shifts neatly into its third act and leans hard into its horror creating a genuinely terrifying shot at its climax.

It’s going to be worth keeping an eye out for Beltran’s next feature, especially if it’s another horror. Combining emotional turmoil, shocks and scares Tarumama is worthy addition to the genre and a great cabin-in-the-woods story.

Tarumama is a Dynamo’s production and currently available on HBO MAX

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