Directed by
Paco Plaza
REC follows the harrowing journey of a television reporter, Ángela Vidal, and her cameraman, Pablo, as they work the night shift at a local fire station in Barcelona, filming for the fictional series Mientras ustedes duermen (While You Sleep). Their routine takes a sinister turn when they receive a distress call about a woman trapped in an apartment building. As Manu and Álex rush to the scene, the police make a forced entry. However, chaos ensues when the trapped woman exhibits alarming aggression, attacking an officer.
Inside the building, residents crowd the entrance, petrified as authorities begin to seal the premises, while the firefighter still inside the apartment faces a horrifying fate when he’s bitten and thrown down the staircase. The situation escalates, and just as the piece seems to take a darker twist, the policeman tragically shoots the old woman — a moment captured on camera by Ángela, who insists Pablo rewind the footage for verification.
While the camera crew remains ensnared within the building, they resume documenting the unfolding horror despite mounting pressure from police. Ángela interviews a young girl named Jennifer, who, along with her parents, is trapped in the same building. Jennifer’s mother, María, dismisses her daughter’s illness as simple tonsilitis, oblivious to the impending danger that lurks around them, symbolized by the girl’s dog, Max, being taken to the vet due to suspected sickness.
As the night progresses, a hazmat-suited health inspector enters and reveals the terrifying truth: a virulent disease turning its victims into violent savages, traceable back to an aggressive pet dog. The impact is immediate, and horror strikes when Jennifer suddenly attacks her mother, revealing the insidious spread of the infection. With panic rising, more residents are infected, prompting Ángela and Pablo to defend themselves against an onslaught.
As the environment grows increasingly sinister, they discover that bodies once deemed lifeless have begun to reanimate, now pursuing them as threats. Desperate for an escape, they hear rumors of a key that could lead them to safety via an exit in the sewer system, hidden within the workshop of the building. It’s located on the third floor, and as they search for it, Ángela and Pablo find themselves confronted by an ever-growing number of those who are either dead or infected.
After a nerve-wracking chase, they manage to find the key, but fate deals a cruel blow, forcing them upward to the penthouse instead of to freedom. There, they uncover a harrowing secret: the penthouse once belonged to a Vatican agent investigating a virus associated with demonic possession. Tragically, the agent’s efforts resulted in the virus mutating and spreading contagion, leading to the nightmare they now face.
When a door to the attic creaks open, Pablo peers inside with his camera, only to be met with a chilling presence that breaks the light. With night vision activated, they uncover a sealed room, a vestige of the agent’s failed attempts to contain the ominous threat. As the grim realization dawns upon them, Pablo’s escape attempt ends in disaster when he is violently attacked, and the camera drops in the fray.
Ángela’s frantic pursuit of the camera plunges her into deeper darkness, where she is ultimately ensnared by the infected girl, her horrified screams echoing into the oppressive silence of the night, a testament to the overwhelming horror unleashed within the building. Thus, the chilling tale unfolds, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as terror prowls just beyond the camera’s lens.
Night Shift Begins
Ángela Vidal and her cameraman Pablo arrive at the local fire station in Barcelona to start their evening filming for the series *Mientras ustedes duermen*. They settle into their routine, anxious to document the quiet night that lies ahead.
Distress Call Received
The calm of the night is shattered when the fire station receives a distress call about a woman trapped in an apartment. Ángela and Pablo prepare to film as firefighters Manu and Álex rush to the scene, unaware of the horrors that await.
Chaos at the Scene
Upon arrival at the apartment, the police make a forced entry only to be met with chaos. The trapped woman, exhibiting alarming aggression, attacks an officer, further escalating the tension as onlookers gather, petrified.
Tragic Incident
As the situation spirals out of control, a police officer tragically shoots the old woman, a moment captured by Ángela on camera. This incident marks a turning point, intensifying the dread and setting the stage for the horror to unfold.
Interview with Jennifer
Ángela interviews a young girl named Jennifer, who is trapped in the building with her oblivious mother, María. Despite Jennifer's illness and her mother's denial, the threat surrounding them looms larger as tension mounts.
Hazmat Inspector Arrives
A hazmat-suited health inspector enters the scene, revealing shocking information about a virulent disease turning residents into violent beings. Panic floods the building as the horrifying truth takes hold, igniting fear among those trapped.
Jennifer Attacks
The horror escalates when Jennifer succumbs to the infection, attacking her mother. This moment signals the insidious spread of the disease within the confined space, as other residents begin to show signs of infection as well.
Fight for Survival
Amidst the rising panic, Ángela and Pablo find themselves defending against a vicious onslaught from infected residents. The once quiet building transforms into a nightmarish realm where every corner holds a potential threat.
Rumors of Escape
As the tension builds, Ángela and Pablo hear rumors of a key that could lead them to safety, rumored to be hidden in the workshop on the third floor. Desperate for escape, they begin their search amid the chaos.
Pursued by the Infected
In a heart-pounding chase, Ángela and Pablo discover the key but are forced to go upward, seeking refuge in the penthouse instead of the lower exit. The building's dark secrets and horrors continue to close in on them.
Vatican Secrets Uncovered
Reaching the penthouse, they uncover a chilling history tied to a Vatican agent who was investigating a virus linked to demonic possession. This revelation deepens the horror they face, as they grasp the implications of the outbreak.
The Attic Threat
A creaking door to the attic prompts Pablo to explore, leading to a horrifying encounter that shrouds them in darkness. With night vision activated, they stumble upon a sealed room, remnants of failed attempts to contain the threat.
Pablo's Tragic End
In a frantic bid for survival, Pablo is violently attacked while trying to escape, leaving Ángela in shock. The camera captures the struggle and chaos, but ultimately drops, symbolizing the descent into darkness.
Descent into Darkness
Ángela's desperate chase for the camera takes her into deeper shadows, highlighting the urgency of her dire situation. Her frantic screams echo into the oppressive silence, marking the height of terror unleashed within the building.
An Open-Ended Nightmare
The film concludes as Ángela becomes ensnared by the horrific presence of the infected girl, leaving viewers with a chilling sense of dread. The lingering horror and uncertainty resonate, making the tale a haunting experience.
Ángela Vidal (Manuela Velasco)
Ángela Vidal is a determined television reporter whose quest for a compelling story leads her directly into a nightmare. Her instincts as both a journalist and a survivor are tested in extreme conditions, revealing her strong will as she fights to document the unfolding horror.
Pablo (Pablo Rosso)
Pablo serves as Ángela's loyal cameraman, capturing the terrifying moments as they unfold. His role emphasizes the innate tension between capturing reality and the survival instinct, as he must manage both the camera and the chaotic environment around them.
Jennifer (María Teresa Ortega)
Jennifer, a young girl trapped within the crisis, symbolizes innocence amidst chaos. As the horror escalates, her transformation into an infected being highlights the indiscriminate nature of the outbreak and the loss of childhood innocence.
Manu (Ferran Terraza)
Manu is a firefighter whose bravery quickly turns to horror as he confronts the unexpected threat inside the apartment building. His character reflects the vulnerability of even the most trained professionals in the face of dire situations.
Álex (David Vert)
Álex is a police officer who finds himself in an uncontrollable situation as the infection spreads. His character adds a layer of authority to the chaos, emphasizing the struggles of maintaining order in a crumbling environment.
Time period
The events of *REC* occur in modern times, capturing the urgent and chaotic essence of contemporary society. The film's real-time narrative elevates the tension, making the audience acutely aware of the fraying boundaries between safety and danger in a world riddled with unpredictability.
Location
Barcelona, Apartment Building
Barcelona serves as the urban backdrop for the terror that unfolds in *REC*. Known for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture, the city becomes a claustrophobic setting when the action shifts to a seemingly ordinary apartment building, which transforms into a fortress of horror as residents face a deadly viral outbreak.
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Infection
Infection plays a central role in *REC*, illustrating the terrifying potential of viruses to transform individuals into uncontrollable threats. It underscores the fragility of human existence and the rapid descent into chaos when safety is compromised, particularly within a seemingly secure environment.
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Reality vs. Filming
The theme of reality versus the act of filming is intricately woven into the narrative as Ángela and Pablo document the horrors around them. The camera not only serves as a tool for storytelling but also amplifies the dread, capturing moments of shock and revealing the disturbing reality of their situation.
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Survival
Survival becomes paramount as the characters navigate a landscape filled with infected individuals and escalating terror. The film explores the lengths to which people will go to protect themselves and escape from an overwhelming threat, showcasing both human resilience and vulnerability.
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