A Wolf at the Door 2015
Directed by
Fernando Coimbra
Made by
Outsider Pictures
Plot Summary
A devoted mother and housewife, Sylvia, goes about her day intending to pick up her daughter Clara from school, only to discover that Clara is missing. Her panic escalates when the teacher informs her that someone had called claiming to be Sylvia, stating that she was unwell and that a neighbor would come to collect Clara instead.
At the police station, Sylvia, along with her husband Bernardo and the teacher, are questioned to find any leads regarding Clara’s abduction. During the inquiry, Bernardo suspicions rise as he reveals his affair with a woman named Rosa. Tension thickens when Rosa is brought in for questioning. Initially hesitant, she fabricates a story about being coerced into taking Clara by a mysterious woman named Bete, who supposedly had an affair with Sylvia’s husband. However, the police quickly dismantle this ruse upon discovering no such woman exists, and under pressure, Rosa confesses everything.
The affair between Rosa and Bernardo sparked at a train station where Bernardo followed her after spotting her on the train. Their romance starts with a fiery passion, but things sour when Rosa uncovers that Bernardo had been dishonest about his marital status and family. Despite this betrayal, she decides to continue as his lover while also befriending Sylvia, posing as a mutual acquaintance and even giving gifts to Clara. Bernardo, upon learning of this, erupts into a furious confrontation with Rosa, demanding she never approach his family again. However, Rosa refuses to comply, attempting to tear apart their relationship by hiring a woman to pose as Sylvia’s lover’s angry wife, creating further chaos.
As their tumultuous relationship unfolds, Rosa confesses to Bernardo that her period is late. Following Bernardo’s pressure, she takes a pregnancy test, which reveals she is indeed pregnant. Although she hopes for some form of reconciliation, she firmly declares her determination to keep the child, regardless of Bernardo’s feelings. However, in a cruel twist, Bernardo tricks her into visiting a medical acquaintance who forcibly performs an abortion on her, leaving Rosa heartbroken and unstable.
In a dark turn of events, Rosa, desperate for closure, tries to meet Bernardo but finds herself rejected once again. In a moment of madness, she picks Clara up from school, leading her to an isolated area. There, she draws out a gun and tragically ends the young girl’s life before proceeding to incinerate her body. The film concludes with a harrowing voiceover from a police officer, recounting Rosa’s chilling statement: she exhibits no guilt or remorse for her actions, expressing a complete lack of concern for her fate or desire for forgiveness.
Timeline
Routine Day for Sylvia
Sylvia, a dedicated mother, begins her day like any other, planning to pick up her daughter Clara from school. The tranquility of her life is shattered when she discovers that Clara is missing, prompting a frantic search.
Clara's Abduction Realized
Upon arriving at the school, Sylvia learns from the teacher that Clara was taken by someone impersonating her. The panic begins to escalate as Sylvia realizes the gravity of the situation and the danger her daughter is in.
Police Intervention
Sylvia, accompanied by her husband Bernardo and Clara's teacher, goes to the police station to report the abduction. The authorities begin their questioning, searching for any leads that could help in locating her daughter.
Bernardo's Confession
During the police inquiry, tensions rise as Bernardo reveals his affair with a woman named Rosa. His admission adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, raising questions about his potential involvement in the abduction.
Rosa is Questioned
Rosa is brought in for questioning about the abduction. Initially, she fabricates a story about a mysterious woman named Bete who supposedly coerced her into the situation, but her account quickly collapses under investigation.
The Affair's Origins
The affair between Bernardo and Rosa began at a train station where Bernardo spotted her and impulsively decided to follow her. Their initial connection was passionate, but it soon became fraught with complications upon Rosa learning about his family.
Rosa's Manipulation
Rosa attempts to manipulate the situation by befriending Sylvia and giving gifts to Clara. This deceitful facade further complicates the dynamics between the three, highlighting the lengths to which Rosa is willing to go.
Confrontation Between Bernardo and Rosa
Bernardo erupts in anger during a confrontation with Rosa after learning about her deceitful actions. He demands that she keep her distance from his family, but her rebellious nature leads her to refuse his request.
Rosa's Pregnancy
After revealing her late period to Bernardo, Rosa takes a pregnancy test and discovers she is pregnant. Despite her hopes for a future together with Bernardo, she asserts her intention to keep the child.
Tragic Abortion
Bernardo manipulates Rosa into visiting a medical acquaintance who forces her to undergo an abortion. This traumatic event leaves Rosa devastated and mentally unstable, setting the stage for her final desperate actions.
Rosa's Desperation
Rejection by Bernardo spurs Rosa into a manic state. Seeking closure, she decides to confront her emotions by picking Clara up from school, showing her escalating instability.
Tragic Turn of Events
Rosa, now fully consumed by her turmoil, takes Clara to a secluded area. In a shocking act of violence, she draws a gun and tragically ends Clara's young life, marking a grim climax in the story.
Covering Up the Crime
After committing the unthinkable, Rosa incinerates Clara's body in an alarmingly calculated manner. This act highlights her complete detachment from reality and the consequences of her actions.
Police Officer's Reflection
The film concludes with a haunting voiceover from a police officer recounting Rosa’s chilling statements following her confession. Her lack of remorse and concern for her actions leaves a haunting impact on the audience.
Characters
Sylvia
Sylvia is a devoted mother whose world unravels when she discovers her daughter's abduction. Her concern morphs into anguish as the reality of her situation dawns on her. Through her experience, the audience witnesses a mother's love turning into a desperate search for answers.
Bernardo
Bernardo is a conflicted husband torn between his responsibilities and his desires. His affair with Rosa sets off a chain of events that leads to tragedy. As tensions rise, his character reveals insecurity and turmoil, ultimately leading to destructive choices.
Rosa
Rosa is the embodiment of desperation and conflict, a woman caught in a web of deceit and obsession. Initially portrayed as a confidante, her actions reveal a darker side. Her journey from lover to antagonist highlights her instability and the consequences of her choices.
Clara
Clara, the innocent daughter, symbolizes the tragic consequences of adult actions. Her abduction thrusts the adult characters into chaos, and her fate serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of childhood in the face of betrayal and desperation.
Setting
Time period
The events of the film reflect a contemporary setting where modern societal issues such as infidelity, obsession, and desperation intertwine. Throughout this grim tale, the characters navigate personal crises that resonate with real-world complexities of family and betrayal.
Location
School, Train Station, Police Station
The story unfolds in several key locations, including a school where young Clara is abducted, a train station that serves as the starting point of an illicit affair, and a police station where frantic inquiries seek to unravel the mystery of Clara's disappearance. Each place plays a significant role in escalating tensions and revealing character relationships.
Themes
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Betrayal
Betrayal emerges as a central theme throughout the narrative. Bernardo's affair with Rosa not only fractures his relationship with Sylvia but also sets off a chain of tragic events. The web of lies and deceit ultimately leads to severe consequences, demonstrating the devastating impact of betrayal on all involved.
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Desperation
Desperation drives the characters to commit unspeakable acts as they struggle with their emotional turmoil. Rosa's choices, fueled by despair and betrayal, showcase how far one might go when pushed to the edge. Her tragic decision emphasizes the theme of hopelessness that envelops the characters.
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Innocence
The loss of innocence is poignantly illustrated in Clara's tragic fate. The film contrasts the innocence of childhood with the dark actions of the adults, particularly Rosa, whose inability to cope leads to the ultimate destruction of a young life. This theme serves to highlight the stark consequences of adult failings.
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