Piggy

Aided by a dynamite performance from newcomer Laura Galán, Piggy uses the tension of a slasher thriller to weave a painfully relatable tale of adolescent angst gone terribly awry. As body shame and self-loathing morph into a disturbing complicity with violence, Piggy pushes the torments of youth to their naturally wicked ends.

What unfolds is a deeply honest and perturbing look at petty viciousness, teenage desire, and two very different causes of psychological scarring: receiving suffering, and inflicting it.

In contrast to lesser horrors that attempt to be socially conscious, Piggy is much more specific and detailed in how it builds moods and atmosphere, especially the gossipy dynamics that run rampant in a tight-knit community.

What’s present is so incredibly promising that it’s almost disappointing the film doesn’t wrestle with something bigger than bullying.

Piggy (Cerdita in Spanish) has a slow-burn intensity that culminates in a superb ending and, though the film could have had tighter writing and better pacing in places, it’s still a satisfying watch.

Throughout, writer-director Carlota Pereda announces herself as a skilled manipulator of audience sympathies.

Piggy presumably aims to test our sympathies, but just forfeits them entirely, in the service of a facile plot and a heroine even the film itself can’t seem to stand.

Director Carlota Pereda starts from her successful short film (winner of the Goya award in 2019), to sign this genre feature film on the theme of inner discomfort and the suffering of feeling the target of insults and cruelty because of one's body. Sara is a teenager with obesity problems, addressed by some peers like Piggy, who lives with her parents and her younger brother. She is mocked, offended and humiliated at every opportunity because of her physical appearance and she is the victim of body shaming. Until unexpectedly a stranger takes her defense, implementing brutal methods towards the culprits of the insults. Sara (her peers will eventually recognize her a name instead of the epithets with which they have always mocked her only when they find themselves in danger of death), has come close to breaking point after yet another cowardly joke. She then projects her desire for revenge into the figure of the serial killer who does what she would like to be able to do to get rid of a context (even family) that oppresses her beyond bearable. If interpreted in these terms, the film acquires greater depth by working on the contradictions of a protagonist who constantly struggles with herself, fought as she is by a natural instinct for revenge which however conflicts with a fundamentally good personality. Engaging psychological horror of social denunciation (against bullying, body shaming and in general against the lack of empathy and sensitivity of an increasingly inhuman and violent world). The film has an interesting visual force and has a good staging, some very successful and effective sequences (the pool scene) and an oppressive atmosphere. However, writing the script traces minimal portraits without seeking insights into a story and topics that offered multiple nuances and aspects to analyze. The actress Laura Galan's performance was exceptional in expressing both the discomfort of an obese girl, a victim of marginalization, humiliation and derision; and the emotional contradictions of an internal struggle based on revenge and righteousness. Net of a writing that needed more depth and more decisive choices in style and narration, this work still remains a discreet portrait of those who suffer discomfort taken to its extreme consequences. But also a valid educational message: to fight all types of physical and mental discrimination; paying attention to phenomena which, if neglected, could have devastating consequences, especially in a context of marginalization. Score: 6.75 out of 10

"Piggy" is fine as a slasher, but it lacks a solid subtext to go beyond. It has moments of tension very well achieved, and the desperation that actress Laura Galán projects is essential to hook us at times with her character, but it lacks sufficient development to completely captivate. I think it's one of those films overshadowed by hype, but its intention to show, albeit superficially, the darkness within those criticized by its physical appearance is appreciated.

Had a okay time with this. The story can be riveting, but I wish it went another way than it did. It's a decent thriller though.

This movie took me by surprise . A dark twisted thriller that poses an ethical problem it never seems to find an answer for which is frustrating. I would have loved it more if the protagonist sided with the kidnapper or just killed all of them. The moral choice makes it unsatisfactory as nothing really **** greys

slasher? there's no slashing at all. revenge? there's no revenge at all. satisfying and gory executions? NOT - AT - ALL save your money. and your time.