[Rec] poster & wallpaper

Claudia Font, Javier Botet, Manuel Bronchud

A team of local TV reporters are following a squad of firemen on night duty. The footage is completely live and their task is to make show about on the life of these professionals who work while we ar...( read more  read more... )e sleeping. The first job of the night is to rescue an old lady who is trapped inside her apartment but the routine rescue soon takes a sinister turn. Something evil is spreading throughout the building, out of control. Trapped inside, the firemen and the TV crew have to confront an unknown and lethal horror. Now, the only thing that matters is hiding, surviving and trying desperately to escape. They must keep on recording. No matter what happens. Until the very last moment...

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76% liked it

14,223 ratings

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95% liked it

21 critics

R, 1 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza

Release Date: November 23, 2007

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DVD Release Date: July 14, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (5,221)

  • garyX
    November 1, 2009
    garyX
    [Rec] is a Spanish horror in which a camera crew following the local fire department stumble on an outbreak of a lethal virus and find themselves quarantined in an apartment building with the resulting flesh eating victims. It actually manages to side step many of the usual flaws...( read more) of this kind of camcorder style horror film in that it has decent actors speaking real dialogue within a well engineered, structured plot line. It even uses the format to interesting effect, the cameraman often being brushed aside and forced away from the action, leaving us to hear and imagine what is going on off-sceen which is actually quite effective and adds to a genuine documentary-style experience. The effects are convincing without getting too gratuitously gory and technically, it is very accomplished. Unfortunately as is the case with all of these point and record style films, the story is obviously seen from only one point of view and is therefore very linear and simplistic and has no surprises whatsoever, right through to the inevitable conclusion. If this footage had been intercut with scenes of what was happening on the outside or flashbacks to previous events it could have been really interesting, but as it is there's absolutely nothing here you haven't seen before. And Diary Of The Dead did it better.
  • stopitgoaway
    October 26, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    #30: [REC]
    There's a lot of these shaky-cam movies around at the moment, and among your "Cloverfield"s and "Diary Of The Dead"s this low budget Spanish movie may seem like the underdog, but it's punching way above its weight.

    Filmed by a TV crew stumbling upon something very nas...( read more)ty happening in an apartment block, the movie is shot and acted brilliantly, the sense of unease gradually giving way to all out terror. While it's obviously derivative of movies like "The Last Broadcast" and "The Blair Witch Project" it manages to deliver in a way that those movies couldn't thanks to some brilliant set-pieces. It's not even out in the UK yet and Hollywood have already remade it (the inevitably inferior "Quarantine") but do yourself a favour and spend an evening in the dark with the original. You'll regret it, but in the best possible way. Terrific.

    Best bit: The climactic night vision only stand-off against... well, whatever the hell that thing was.
  • DrZeek
    October 25, 2009
    DrZeek
    Ángela: [to the camera] It's nearly 2 A.M. and we're still sealed in this building that we came to with the firemen earlier this evening, to assist an elderly woman who later attacked a policeman and a fireman. They're both in critical condition. The police won't let us leave and...( read more) are giving us no explanations.

    A quality Spanish horror film, using the live camera style effectively to further enhance the premise. There are a few issues, but the general impact of the scares and solid filmmaking work well to keep the viewer on this ride through a terror filled night.

    The film begins with a local reporter and her camera man filming a segment on firefighters and what there job on night duty involves. Soon, the firemen are called to duty at an apartment building, where someone is said to be trapped in their room.

    Upon arriving, the firefighters and police officers inside find the room with the problem, however things take a turn for the worse as the resident, an old woman, viciously attacks the men trying to help. Attempting to leave with their wounded, the people inside the building find that they are being prevented from escaping by professionals on the outside. Now everyone must wait inside for some supposed "help" to arrive and hopefully inform them about what is going on.

    I can see why this film was remade for America as 'Quarantine.' The film was successful enough, where I believe more people should get to watch this kind of quality horror. The premise is intriguing and it capitalizes off of the live camera technique. The film was successful enough, where I believe more people should get to watch this kind of quality horror. There needs to be a bit of belief suspension to think that someone would continue to operate this camera, but the film certainly never feels gimmicky with its camera use. I've also learned that the remake it is pretty much a shot for shot remake, so I don't plan to see that version.

    I must also point out how great a lot of the camera work is throughout this film. A lot of very long shots, that are more complicated to pull of than it would seem. The use of the single location is effective and the film does a good job of laying out the geography of the area. This is important, because the way the film generates scares based on what you know about the characters surroundings functions as a great way to build tension and not feel cheap.

    The third act is interesting, as night vision becomes key, but reveals of plot information is also handed to the viewer. The mix leads to great scares and exposition, and its a success I give to the filmmakers that the scares outweighed the randomness of having answers be provided.

    Quality horror.

    Sergio: [upon seeing Jennifer] What happened to her eyes?
  • ceWEBrity
    September 17, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    I think the ever-present danger with first-person perspective films is that of realism. It's as if the director is making a contract with the viewer, promising to immerse them to the best of their ability by cutting out the "filmed" aspect of their movie. The problem is that as s...( read more)oon as something betrays the movie's attempt at being realistic, the house of cards just tumbles; you remember that this is just some guy pointing a camera at a bunch of shrieking adults. [REC], more than any first-person film I've encountered (except the disastrous Diary of the Dead, but I'm not sure that quite counts), falls prey to this time and again.

    To be fair to the film, it is horrifying. I watched this in broad daylight and it still gave me the willies. The problem is that I spent just as much time rolling my eyes at it as I did being terrified of it. The movie is filled to the brim with contrivances, just-right movie moments, and horror tropes, so much so that you watch the characters flounder and wonder to yourself if they've ever seen a horror movie before. That guy choosing to stand in front of a glass door, behind which he knows there's a zombie? And right as he's telling everyone how to get out of the building? Dumb. Angela finding the right key amidst a stack of about 100 in less than a minute's time? Yeah, okay. Stuff like this completely sells the movie out much more than a typically filmed movie, because something like [REC] strives to include the viewer in the experience, instead of presenting an experience to the viewer. In your typical horror movie, a cliche might simply roll off of you, because what you're seeing is an alternate universe. In something like [REC], heavily plotted moments are all the more painful. The point of all this is simply to highlight that [REC] is good, but flawed, and could have been so much better. First-person horror has the potential to be incredibly effective, as this film demonstrates. The atmosphere is well-built and the sound design is great, and though the scares are primarily of the jump variety, the wave of fear you ride to them on makes them really count.

    I also had a problem with the lead character, sprightly and cute but deeply irritating. She's initially painted as a plucky, take-charge reporter, but she brings no skills or insight to the survivors and generally just whines about how much they need to film what's going on. Anyone there could have taken her place. The performance itself is likely the problem, as Manuela Velasco comes across as whiny rather than self-assured. It's not that I need a likable or competent protagonist to guide me through a movie, but in a tale of survival, I'd like to care if the character actually survives.
  • g0disd3ad
    September 12, 2009
    g0disd3ad
    not bad, I watched it all so that must mean it wasn't bad, kept me interesting. an ok movie, you should watch this one instead of quarantine, that's for sure
  • alison1004
    November 2, 2009
    alison1004
    w0o0w zta pelii zta weniziima
    amm no da miedo zolo ez zuzpenzo ii muzha pro muzha zangre jejeje................
  • ElCochran90
    November 1, 2009
    ElCochran90
    This nearly-unique horror phenomenon has hit the theatres for imposing a terrifying perspective towards what seems to be a newly future apocalyptic showdown with an unknown and hyperactive evil! [·Rec] is much more than a mere mix of The Blair Witch Project (1999) and 28 Days Lat...( read more)er (2002); it is a breathtaking cinematic alternative for narrating an extraordinary horror film that relies on the gorgeous old-school suspense and a smart screenplay divided into two separate chapters. Clues are scattered throughout and the almost-fainted viewer is given the beautiful offer of putting the pieces together for trying to clarify unanswered questions. A limited scope is the one provided, resulting in a visceral ride that will take several nights to forget, not to mention it is the scariest film of the decade and an experience that has reached the level of brilliance shared with 28 Days Later (2002) and Shaun of the Dead (2004). It demands to be seen inside a dark movie theater.

    80/100
  • julleponge
    October 28, 2009
    julleponge
    La fin est vraiment bonne mais le reste est trop.... c'est bon mais boff... pis en plus la toune du générique fite trop pas !
  • lytton666
    October 26, 2009
    lytton666
    Have it on DVD but havent had time to watch it yet cant wait!

    And i did watch it the other day. This movie brings fear into your livingroom. This is an creepy tail brought to you straight from a TV crews video cam.
    Puts you right into the experience and makes you feal part of...( read more) the film.
    A great storyline with some very good acting from all unknowen Spanish actors.
    Will let you know now that this film is subtiled (unless you speak Spanish).

    This is a shock film coming from a shock country. You dont hear much of Spainsh horror at all. But this film is up there with the Asian bests.
  • kpac
    October 24, 2009
    kpac
    This was unreal! A horror movie that actually scared me throughout! Thats damn impressive because I never get scared in movies, in fact I can't remember another movie I've ever been scared of. Everything was perfect about this one and it does come as a big surprise for me because...( read more) I didn't like "The Blair Witch Project" at all which was the big innovater for the handcam films. But this is where the handcam really brings the realism to thisterrifying story. Also, I always like a movie where they don't shy away from anything and Rec certainly shows you not only everything, but everything in your face like your in the apartment building with the other characters. The acting was excellent along with everything else. I'm going to try and remember scarier films or other films that scared me, but if I can come up with nothing or very little, you bet you ass this sucka is goin up to a five star on my favorite movies of all time list. Absolutly terrifying and it gets scarier and scarier every second until the final sequence where you sweating in terror! One of the scariest films ever made!

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Comments

  • fearnet
    July 21, 2009
    fearnet
    Check out an exclusive clip from [REC]!!

    http://www.fearnet.com/videos/b15984_rec_exclusive_clip.html
  • rzyadat
    April 11, 2009
    rzyadat
    i havnt seen it yet ...... my sister did and she is so scared
  • katangel13
    March 14, 2009
    katangel13
    [SPOILER]

    did anyone else notice the difference with the boy in the attic and the woman in the penthouse?
  • chrismid259
    December 9, 2008
    chrismid259
    "I cant wait to watch the english version and not have to read subtitles."

    LOL!
  • hyypia
    November 12, 2008
    hyypia
    Usually I'm very horror proof, but this one made me scared like little girl. One of best I've seen, one of it's kind. It's freakin sets new level...
  • aftrs
    July 29, 2008
    aftrs
    Well I watched the film in spanish [with subtitles] ... I must say its got that creepy factor [ a little like 28 days later ], jennifer the little girl was brilliant she made the film feel scary- I cant wait to watch the english version and not have to read subtitles.
  • lovecyn4ever
    July 11, 2008
    lovecyn4ever
    If you're claustrophobic & get scared of whatever jumps or scream out of the dark,then you might find this film to be very scary but that wasn't my case.

    y

    [REC] is been getting so much hype but is similar to 28 days later,not better or scary in my opinion.The film is not intense from start to finish.The first half wasted time with unnecessary dialog in the beginning & also with the reporter making interviews with all the chaos going on.Most of the action & intense moments happens during the second half but few scenes are too dark or out of focus just because of this trend of being filmed from a cameraman's point of view which it needs to stop.I don't see what's so pleasant about a shaky camera.The leading actress who plays a reporter named Angela delivers a good & convincing performance.The best part of the movie is tours the end.The last few minutes which unfortunately it was too short,was creepy with a unexpected twist to add to the story.



  • chrismid259
    June 30, 2008
    chrismid259
    Oh my gosh. A sequel. YAY!
  • DuncanRR
    June 1, 2008
    DuncanRR
    Anyone know when this'll be available on DVD? Also, did any theaters in the U.S. show it? How have people been able to see it?
  • IzzyGibs
    March 24, 2008
    IzzyGibs
    A quick plot overview as there isn't on above:

    What appears to be a routine emergency call quickly turns to hell as a news team are trapped inside a building with no means of escape as things go from worse to worse. The only thing that matters is trying to escape while capturing everything on camera.
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