• Release year: 2024
• Directors: Nicolás Amelio-Ortiz and Gaston Haag.
• Producer: Pablo Bossi.
• Written by: Nicolás Amelio-Ortiz, Gaston Haag, and Javier Ruescas.
• Cinematography by: Ernesto Báez.
• Editing by: José Miguel Vilalta.

Shotgun Commentary: there is something for everyone in terms of horror. Everything generously sprinkled with absurd humour, making the experience all the better.

Hay algo en el bosque (Spanish for There’s Something in the Woods) is a horror comedy show that features a different story on each of its eight episodes. All the stories have their location in common, leading to a season finale that joins them all in one way or another.

The initial credits sequence is absolutely gorgeous in a neon-popup-comic sort of way. If you are an absolute addict to popping, contrasting colours, like yours truly, there is a high chance you’ll fall in love with the show within the first five minutes thanks to that sequence. Additionally, it’s got the best mascot I’ve seen in years: Susano the penguin.

Now, let’s get into the review for each episode, shall we?

Episode 1: La Negociación (The Negotiation)

Synopsis

Two siblings steal a magic stone for the leader of a small gang, they agree to exchange it for money in a cabin.

Review

La negociación is the most misleading episode of the series. It looks like a pilot for a completely different show, which works well in this case since it keeps you guessing for a while longer. The episode is significantly more serious than the rest of them, but lays down all the context necessary to understand the show effortlessly.

The story is tense, stressful, and just a smidge comedic. Enough to balance out the anxiety-inducing situation presented and turn it into a hilariously awkward moment to witness.

As for the technical aspects, it is still a rarity to see realistic special effects in Spanish series, this one being a shocking exception to that rule. Still, it is important to note that, in order to fully enjoy this episode in particular, one should watch it with as little light in the room as possible, as the content is generally quite dark.

All in all, La Negociación is a brave opening to a show that will get increasingly more fun and absurd as the episodes go by. The acting is solid, the premise interesting, and the structure, flawless.

Episode 2: Educando a la Mandrágora (Educating the Mandrake)

Synopsis

An influencer is hired to promote fracking, leading him to a cabin complex and to take a walk in the forest, where he encounters a mandrake that will change his life.

Review

Educando a la Mandrágora is the complete opposite of the previous episode. This is the story that presents the whole picture of what the show will be, a great exploitation of the absurd with a supernatural background.

Entertaining as it is, this episode also serves as a commentary on the profession of influencer. In particular, all the hypocrisy and falsehood that surround this job. Not to mention the pandemic of Internet rage that has covered the planet with a general sense of rage and discomfort.

It is too easy to pick on people when you don’t need to show your face, and if we add misinformation and the radicalisation of the media into the mix, the result is positively explosive. This ticking bomb is showcased and satirised to extremes that not only make you choke with laughter, but also do some unexpected introspection while you’re at it.

All in all, Educando a la Mandrágora is light, fun, and incredibly telling of today’s society. It takes a fearless approach to one of humanity’s biggest dangers: social media illiteracy.

Episode 3: Misterio en el Monte Amboto (Mystery at Amboto Mountain)

Synopsis

A group of alien-searching enthusiasts go to Amboto to search for extraterrestrial life.

Review

Misterio en el Monte Amboto is definitely an acquired taste. The narrative is simple and the characters relatable, but the visual effects are, well…. revolting. If you are a fan of fleshy masses running around and goo, this will definitely hit the spot. It might not be an ideal watch for lunchtime, but it absolutely nails the 90s gooey aesthetics of sci-fi.

As for the characters, they are a very frustrating but common example of friend group. It isn’t rare to see women subjected to their boyfriend’s pastime, enduring their teenager hobbies for the sake of their relationship. It is also not uncommon to find that the boyfriends in question are completely oblivious to the torture they are putting their partners through.

Why these women stay with men like that is a centuries-old question that will very likely never be answered, but the universality of the situation creates an instant empathetic response from the audience, doting the tale of a strange realism despite the ludicrous events that transpire.

All in all, Misterio en el Monte Amboto is a love it or hate it kind of episode. It features great comedic situations, disgusting visual effects, and frustrating but realistic characters. Overall, a bold combination that speaks volumes of the director’s taste.

Episode 4: Des(h)echos (Undone)

Synopsis

A couple’s love is tested to the limits during a stressful getaway in a cabin.

Review

Des(h)echos was destined to be my favourite episode, if not for the fact that the show only keeps going up from here. This episode is hysterically funny. The premise is simple: a man dies accidentally and his girlfriend, afraid of going to jail, tries to dispose of his body. She does so in the same way anyone who has never seen any true-crime content would: piling up mistake after mistake until the result is way worse than the starting point.

There is something hilarious about a person trying to cover up something that didn’t need covering in the first place, and the text definitely exploits that to its limits, utilising the supernatural commonality in the show to give it the perfect ending twist. Jone Laspiur delivers a wonderful performance as Nerea, the protagonist of the story. Her talent is key to achieve the desired effect, and she does not disappoint in the least.

All in all, Des(h)echos provides a notable boost of quality to the show. An impulse that will continue on until the very end of the season.

Episode 5: Problemas en el Antiguo Alce (Trouble in the Old Moose)

Synopsis

Two of the cabin workers find a magic stone in the forest by chance, a stone that will accidentally get them in and out of trouble.

Review

Problemas en el Antiguo Alce is yet another example of a story that can only work with the right performances. Denis Gómez as Aníbal and Gaston Haag as Barakaldo are definitely the men for the job.

Their characters are as ridiculous as they are endearing, making you root for them regardless of how many stupid decisions they make. Their dialogues make no sense most of the time, and their priorities are way away from the priorities of any regular person in their position. This chaos is the perfect breeding ground for comedy in a hostile environment, a clash of concepts that blends seemlessly in this narrative.

Plus, for all the minion lovers, there is a final gag (intentional or not, unknown) involving bananas and a minion outfit that reminds greatly or one of the best sketches ever produced by the Gru franchise.

All in all, Problemas en el Antiguo Alce is delightful from all angles, showcasing a love for the absurd that is seldom tapped into as gracefully as it is here. Were it not for the next episode, this would be the peak of the show.

Episode 6: Navidad Maldita (Cursed Christmas)

Synopsis

Three friends escape from the city to spend their Christmas in a cabin. Curiosity gets the best of them, leading to trouble.

Review

Navidad Maldita follows a trio of city folks who’ve had the splendid idea of spending their holidays in a cabin in the woods. You know, as one does. After some jabs at the expense of country-people clichés, they do what all ignorant, young people seem to do at cabins in horror: read from a strange book. Of course, this unleashes a deadly curse.

The text harvests the humour found in all awkward situations and highlights it perfectly thanks to the performances of Gastón Haag as Barakaldo, Javiet Botet as Braulio, and Lander Otaola as Ander. The three deliver the most surreal dialogues, with their facial expressions accompanying the lines so superbly they almost gain protagonism over the text itself.

As for the horror bit, it almost becomes an afterthought for the spectator, who will still be catching its breath from the first few minutes.

All in all, Navidad Maldita is mostly comedy with a hint of evil spirits. The portrayal of city vs country stereotypes is the main selling point, although the evil unleashed brings its fair share of creepiness.

Episode 7: El Coche Asesino (The Killer Car)

Synopsis

A possessed car runs over anyone it encounters in the forest area around the cabins.

Review

El Coche Asesino has a pretty self-explanatory name. There is a car, and it runs people over. Surprisingly, not only is this car too cool for you not to like it, but also, it’s not the most dreadful character of the story. That title is claimed by Andoni, played by Chani Martín. Andoni is a reservist whose behaviour is the toxic result of growing up brainwashed by the patriarchy. Patronising, mansplaining and drinking beer seem to be his favourite pastimes, but not to worry, this only makes the story all the more satisfying.

As for his family, they are also pretty cliché, with a mother who tries to keep her family together and a teenager that can’t get away soon enough. The story takes a twist when characters from previous episodes make an entrance, complicating and enhancing the narrative to become the perfect intro for the grand finale.

All in all, El Coche Asesino is the calm before the storm. The episode provides, along with a great Back to the Future (1985) reference, the final pieces of the season’s puzzle while giving you some respite before its final chapter.

Episode 8: No hagas nunca ese hechizo (Never make that spell)

Synopsis

The gang leader finds the magic stone in a cabin and recites a random spell, leading to a nightmarish experience for anyone who goes in.

Review

No hagas nunca ese hechizo is the trippiest, creepiest episode of the show. Wild storytelling and admirable technical prowess come together to deliver the perfect conclusion to the season. Characters and references from every episode lead to a climax that, once again, it is shockingly well-done, especially considering comedy doesn’t usually feel the need to perfect visual effects.

Contrary to those expectations, Hay Algo en el Bosque proves, one more time, that comedy can be more than just cheap plastic and a few punchlines, and horror can be more than just guts and blood. The events are chilling yet funny, and the characters are relatable, yet insanely unique. Hell, there’s even a little bit of mystery on this one!

All in all, No hagas nunca ese hechizo is a gorgeous finale for the absoute rollercoaster of crazy that is this show. It brings closure to the story, but will keep you hoping they make more seasons in the future.

For all of you horror comedy fans, Hay Algo en el Bosque is now available to stream on AMC Selekt and Dark in Spain, and Disney+ in Latin America.

Advice to take from this show:

• Before spewing hate online, take a beat. Maybe your opinion is not necessary on this one.
• If your fiancée is incapable of seeing that he’s making your life about him, maybe you should second guess marriage.
• When a random person comes to your cabin and tells you not to read the strangely written book, DO NOT READ THE F*CKING BOOK.
• Don’t get in unecessary messes. Just don’t.

What’s your take? Have you watched There’s Something in the Woods? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀