Seven Cemeteries (2024) is a hauntingly atmospheric horror film that blends supernatural terror with an exploration of grief, guilt, and redemption. Directed by Spanish filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, the film takes audiences on a chilling journey into a cursed village where the dead don’t rest, and secrets buried in the past refuse to stay hidden. With its dark tone, gripping narrative, and visceral scares, Seven Cemeteries delves deep into the human psyche while delivering a relentless sense of dread.
The story follows Mateo, a reclusive and tormented man burdened by the guilt of a tragic accident that upended his life. Hoping to escape his inner demons, Mateo returns to his remote childhood village, a place steeped in eerie folklore and macabre traditions. The village is surrounded by seven cemeteries, each tied to a dark legend of restless spirits and malevolent forces. Mateo’s arrival coincides with a series of unexplainable events, as the cemeteries begin to unearth long-buried secrets.
As Mateo reconnects with old acquaintances, including his estranged childhood friend Clara, he learns of a curse that binds the living and the dead to the village. The curse, tied to a horrific crime committed decades ago, feeds on guilt and despair, and Mateo’s return seems to have awakened its full force. Shadowy figures, ghostly whispers, and violent apparitions haunt his every step, forcing him to confront not only the horrors around him but also the devastating truths about his past.
To break the curse and save the village, Mateo must unravel its mysteries, confront the malevolent forces in the cemeteries, and make a harrowing choice that could either condemn or redeem his soul.
Seven Cemeteries explores themes of guilt, atonement, and the cyclical nature of trauma. The cemeteries themselves serve as metaphors for the layers of grief and regret that Mateo—and the village—must dig through to find peace. The film also examines the cost of denial and the lengths people will go to bury their darkest truths.
Visually, the film is a masterclass in gothic horror, with de la Iglesia’s signature flair for blending the grotesque with the beautiful. The cemeteries are depicted as eerie, labyrinthine landscapes, filled with decaying tombstones, twisted trees, and suffocating mist. The use of shadows, dim lighting, and sudden bursts of sound
heighten the tension, creating a constant sense of unease. The narrative’s slow-burn approach builds suspense, leading to terrifying set pieces and a shocking climax that lingers in the mind.
Ultimately, Seven Cemeteries is a chilling exploration of the darkness within and the consequences of letting it fester. It combines psychological depth with supernatural terror, offering a thought-provoking and spine-tingling cinematic experience that resonates on both emotional and visceral levels.
English 