Critic Reviews

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.

Pereda, who also wrote the script, is not afraid of psychological and moral ambiguity: It’s obvious that she is on Sara’s side — the bullying scenes are much harder to watch than the bloody ones — but she also knows that shame, guilt and secrecy fester into messy situations and messy people.

Piggy is a masterful mix of dark comedy, social commentary and raw suspense.

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.

As much as Piggy certainly has points to make about passive-aggressive status quo maintenance versus open violence, it unabashedly delivers enough terror, tension, and gore before it’s done.

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.

Every time we relax into our smug “I know where this is going,” Pereda finds a way to trip us up.

Don’t expect to know how it’s all going to end; Pereda makes certain to save the blood for the finale.

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

Piggy surprises and shocks all the way up to its ending. It’s fueled by teenage angst and revenge, keeping you in suspense and invested in this story of sweet, potential revenge. Ultimately, it’s at its best when it takes the time to understand Sara and stick with her no matter what. Come for the story of Sara’s revenge, and stay for the twists and turns along the way.