The Wait (2023 film)

The Wait (La espera) is a 2023 Spanish fantasy horror thriller film directed and written by F. Javier Gutiérrez which stars Víctor Clavijo and Ruth Díaz.

Plot
Set in the Andalusian countryside, the plot follows a gamekeeper's personal nightmare after enduring the tragic loss of his family.

Production
The film was produced by Spal Films alongside Nostromo Pictures and Unfiled Films, with the participation of Canal Sur and backing from Junta de Andalucía. Shooting locations included the province of Seville.

Release
Film Factory boarded international rights to the film. The film was programmed to have its world premiere at the 30th Oldenburg International Film Festival on 14 September 2023. It was also picked up for screenings at the Fantastic Fest and the 56th Sitges Film Festival. It made it to the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival slate for its Canadian premiere. It was released theatrically in Spain on 15 December 2023. Film Movement acquired North-American distribution rights to the film.

Reception
According to the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, The Wait has a 87% approval rating based on 15 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 6.6/10.

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter underscored as a bottom line "solid technique in search of a sturdier story".

Reviewing for UPI, Fred Topel deemed the film to be "a western with universal themes that are still relevant in modern day", with the tragedy befalling its protagonist being "engrossing and hopefully cautionary".

Ricardo Rosado of Fotogramas described the film as a The Holy Innocents vendetta embracing the madness of Mandy, with an award-bound Clavijo finally getting the screentime and role he deserves.

Accolades

 * rowspan ="11" | 2024 || rowspan="11"| 3rd Carmen Awards || colspan="2"| Best Film ||Nominated||rowspan="11"|
 * Best Director || F. Javier Gutiérrez || Nominated
 * Best Original Screenplay || F. Javier Gutiérrez ||Nominated
 * Best Actor || Víctor Clavijo ||Won
 * rowspan = "2" | Best Supporting Actor || Manuel Morón || Nominated
 * Pedro Casablanc || Nominated
 * Best New Actor|| Antonio Estrada || Won
 * Best Editing || F. Javier Gutiérrez || Nominated
 * Best Art Direction || Yoyi Mauriño, F. Javier Gutiérrez || Nominated
 * Best Costume Design || Consuelo Bahamonde, Andrea Escudero|| Won
 * Best Special Effects || Joaquín Ortega ||Nominated
 * }
 * Best New Actor|| Antonio Estrada || Won
 * Best Editing || F. Javier Gutiérrez || Nominated
 * Best Art Direction || Yoyi Mauriño, F. Javier Gutiérrez || Nominated
 * Best Costume Design || Consuelo Bahamonde, Andrea Escudero|| Won
 * Best Special Effects || Joaquín Ortega ||Nominated
 * }
 * Best Costume Design || Consuelo Bahamonde, Andrea Escudero|| Won
 * Best Special Effects || Joaquín Ortega ||Nominated
 * }
 * Best Special Effects || Joaquín Ortega ||Nominated
 * }