YOU’RE NOT ME (Tu No Eres Yo): A Fantastic Fest Family Thriller Review

Introduction

As we continue our tantalizing journey through the wonderful programming at Fantastic Fest, we come to the Spanish film, You’re Not Me. Co-directed, written, and produced by Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera, this dynamic duo has created a tense thriller, laced with relevant social commentary.

Synopsis

Aitana and her partner, Gabi, played by Roser Tapias and Yapoena Silva respectively, have journeyed across the globe to surprise Aitana’s family for Christmas. Hailing from Brazil, they bring their adopted baby boy, Joao with them on this long journey.  Aitana has fond memories of Christmas Eve night with her family and she’s been away for a long time. She’s expecting a warm welcome to her homecoming.

But her journey doesn’t go as planned. After a turbulent flight, they hit an animal on the road to her parents. The welcome she gets is quite different from her expectations and she soon discovers that a lot has changed in her childhood home. Her racist, politically conservative parents have taken in a homeless vagrant, Nadia, played by Anna Kurikka. Nadia has been helping the family care for Aitana’s brother, who has a debilitating degenerative disease and has become a genuine part of the family. Her mother, Dori, performed by Pilar Almería dotes on Nadia with warmth and affection but is cold and harsh with Aitana. Perplexed, Aitana feels hurt and betrayed that another woman has taken her place in her family.

Furthermore, her parents have planned a strange and elegant dinner party for strangers, abandoning the time-honored tradition of a family gathering. Aitana tries to hash out the conflict with her parents, but they are uninterested and thoroughly distracted with preparations for the night’s festivities. Thrown, paranoid, and agitated, Aitana struggles to understand the ominous events that unravel on this Christmas Eve night.

Aitana’s Struggles

From the moment You’re Not Me begins, Aitana is frustrated. We participate in that frustration, and it festers as events unfold. Losing their luggage after a long turbulent flight, and arriving unwelcome to her childhood home, bewilders Aitana. Her mother dismisses her angst and aggressively puts Nadia’s needs ahead of hers. Dori makes it abundantly clear that their looming dinner party is more important than their estranged daughter coming home. Dori is clearly versed in arguing with her daughter. Aitana, who has a streak of entitlement in her blood, bristles with anger and hurt.

Despite being surrounded by loved ones, Aitana’s skepticism isolates her. As more and more strange events and conversations unfold, she is rebuffed repeatedly by everybody around her. She even annoys her partner Gabi, who eventually thinks Aitana is just being rude and paranoid.

Atmosphere

You’re Not Me lives in a nervous and tense state as you walk in Aitana’s shoes. The camera is slightly shaky and off-kilter, adding an artful touch to match the emotions hurdling across the screen. The way Aitana’s family gaslights and treats her as “the other” is incredibly relatable and uncomfortable. The script is well thought out and includes just the right amount of triggers to keep you on your toes. The editing is straightforward and keeps things moving smoothly. The story and performances are the strongest builders of tension here. As far as technical aspects, the movie is fine.

Blocking and Staging

The blocking and physical direction of the actors is a little awkward in some scenes. There are too many shots of Aitana staring incredulously towards the camera and this might have been toned down with other choices. The dinner scene feels too staged, and a few scenes with Aitana’s brother need better blocking. Maybe this was due to the physical limitations of the location. Most of the movie is filmed inside or around a gorgeous country home. Either way, it’s only a little distracting and doesn’t tarnish the overall feel of the film.

Baby Beware

Giving everything an extra edge of angst, is Joao, Gabi, and Aitana’s adopted baby boy. Given Aitana’s mental state, and the fact that they are surrounded by xenophobic elitists who are gathering for an exclusive dinner event, you doubt the little black baby is in a safe in this home. Joao’s safety comes and goes into focus throughout the movie, pulling at your emotions at just the right moments to make you clench inside. For new parents, this movie is potentially full of triggers so be aware.

Social Commentary

Interwoven throughout the movie is a commentary on poverty and elitism. There is probably a little racism in there too, perhaps lost in translation for English audiences. Aitana and Gabi, both work in an NGO in Brazil, helping those in need. As polar opposites Dori, and her husband, Justo, performed by Alfred Picó, care very little for these causes. Dori even mocks Aitana, calling her a “social justice warrior” during one of their arguments. Nor do their new upper-class friends care much for vulnerable populations.

Proving this point, during dinner they speak of Nadia almost as if she is another species. Dori and Justo adore and dote over Nadia. Their affection for her opposes their obvious social and political views. These are the kind of people who would prefer homelessness and the “other” to be eradicated. And yet, they’ve taken in and pampered this “street girl” for months and have dedicated a high-brow Christmas party in her honor. But why? The answer to this riddle comes eventually and it is the punchline for the film’s social statement.

Performances

Roser Tapias carries You’re Not Me as Aitana and is the central character in most of the scenes. Her performance is strong and believable. She was a great choice for this movie. Her chemistry with Yapoena Silva is tangible and they feel like a comfortable couple, in the right place in life to adopt a baby. Pilar Almería is fantastic as Dori. Standing out with a delightful performance is Pilar Martínez, as Pepita, Dori’s new friend who has come with her husband, Oriol, played by Álvaro Báguena to help prepare the feast. Truly, Martínez bubbles effervescently in her role and you can’t help but love her to bits. She’s the alcohol-pushing, jolly guest you’d love to have to help you prep a party, maybe without the ominous vibes that flow under her jovial demeanor.

In Conclusion

If you love a dark emotional romp that keeps you on your toes and is heavily laced with a horror vibe, check out You’re Not Me. It’s a thrilling experience with a suitable ending to match. A solid choice in programming for Fantastic Fest and a worthy film for an eerie night of cinema.

You’re Not Me had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2023. We’ll update this review with distribution and release information as it becomes available.

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