Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Jacob Santana

Spanish filmmaker Jacob Santana is bringing a double helping of psychological terror to Grimmfest this year, with two very different films that demonstrate his versatility behind the camera. Both Evil Dress and Reversion receive their UK premieres at the Manchester festival, offering audiences a pair of unsettling stories in which appearances can be dangerously deceptive.

In Evil Dress, Belén Rueda stars as Alicia, a recently divorced mother who moves into an old house with her young daughter Carla, played by Vera Centenera. When Carla discovers a mysterious blue dress in the attic, the family’s fresh start takes a sinister turn as the house’s tragic history begins to reveal itself. Drawing inspiration from classic 1970s haunted house cinema, the film promises an atmospheric descent into paranoia and supernatural terror.

Santana’s second offering, Reversion, takes a more contemporary approach. Starring Money Heist actor Jaime Lorente alongside Manuel Vega and Rueda, the psychological thriller follows Mario, a young man whose brother mysteriously returns home 19 days after being kidnapped. Although physically unharmed, Carlos seems profoundly changed, prompting Mario to investigate what really happened, with increasingly disturbing consequences.

Having worked across Spanish film and television for more than two decades, including credits on Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver and Álex de la Iglesia’s Witching and Bitching, Santana has developed a career encompassing directing, producing and assistant directing.

With two films screening at Grimmfest, we caught up with Santana to discover what draws him to horror, the real-world fears that keep him awake at night and why he believes one of cinema’s most notorious villains might actually be the good guy.

Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Jacob Santana, Director of Evil Dress and Reversion

Tell us why you are at Grimmfest.

I’m at Grimmfest presenting two films: Evil Dress and Reversion. The first is a traditional genre film – a home invasion centring on the relationship between a mother and her daughter, who is growing up and starting to make her own decisions. The second is a thriller disguised as a horror film.

How did you get into horror?

Actually, my passion for horror began during a few days’ trek through the Pyrenees; I spent eight days in Ordesa, walking seven hours a day with my daughter, who couldn’t have been more than seven years old. As we walked, I’d tell her all about the horror films I’d seen – over and over again, and again… She got hooked on me telling her about horror films, and when we got home I had to watch all the ones I’d missed so that I could tell her a different one every night…

What scares you the most?

The things that frighten me most are found in everyday life, in the most ordinary of realities. I’m afraid of social upheavals, a lack of empathy, setbacks in human rights; I’m afraid of wars, poverty, hunger… I’m afraid of losing my mind, of waking up one day and not recognising myself…

Who or what is your favourite horror character?

I love Freddy Krueger. I think he’s one of the greatest creations in horror cinema. The idea that your nightmares and deepest fears can drag you away is truly terrifying. Besides, he’s funny, and he’s an avenger. He’s actually the good guy in the film.

What is the grimmest thing you have ever seen?

The most terrifying thing I have ever seen in my life was Nazis encouraging the beating of minors simply because they were from a different culture.

More from Grimmfest

Jacob Santana’s Evil Dress receives its UK premiere at Grimmfest on Thursday 8 October at 8.30pm, followed by Reversion on Friday 9 October at 3.10pm. Both films screen at the Odeon Great Northern in Manchester, giving festival audiences the opportunity to experience two contrasting sides of the Spanish director’s work.

Keep checking Love Horror throughout Grimmfest for more Grimm Tidings, as we put our five questions to the filmmakers, actors and horror favourites descending on Manchester for this year’s festival. We’ll also be bringing you interviews, reviews and more coverage direct from Grimmfest throughout the weekend.

Evil Dress trailer

Reversion trailer