Scherzo Diabolico

Scherzo Diabolico is an intense, psychological thriller movie from 2015 directed by Adrian Garcia Bogliano. Featuring a compelling and gripping plotline, the movie employs a dark, ominous backdrop that aids to build tension, keeping the viewers engrossed throughout its span. The leads of the film include Francisco Barreiro, Daniela Soto-Brenner, and Jorge Molina. They all deliver captivating performances, which, in combination with the director's masterful storytelling, lends a raw and unnerving edge to the movie.

The film revolves around the life of Aram, played by Francisco Barreiro, a seemingly average man in Mexico City who manages to blend in perfectly with his surroundings. He is stuck in an uninspiring job where he is often overlooked, quiet and diligent in his work but given very little recognition. With a wife and child to support, and the mounting pressure of everyday life in a bustling city, Aram begins to feel stifled. His life as an underpaid and underappreciated accountant starts to push him over the edge.

Away from his unfulfilling professional life, Aram is a lover of classical music, particularly the lively, quick-tempo scherzo compositions. Music is not only his escape but a catalyst to his hidden, darker side.

His scheme for a better life is devilishly clever and involves Sara, a seemingly innocent teenager, portrayed by Daniela Soto-Brenner. He meticulously plans and carries out an abduction-turned-ransom plot with Sara at the receiving end. His actions are born from desperate need and opportunism rather than malice, and Aram continues to live a 'normal' life, standing on a dangerous precipice between the banality of his existence and his dark actions.

Aram expects his horrendous act to turn his life around, providing the means necessary for climbing up the social ladder. However, his course of action starts spiraling out of control and his life devolves into chaos instead. The film effectively captures the anticipation, mystery, and subsequent horror that ensues, coupled with some unexpected twists to keep the viewers on their toes.

Also featured is Jorge Molina, who delivers an impactful performance. As the plot unfolds, the lives of these characters intersect in a symphony of suspense, thrill, and bone-chilling consequences. The cinematography of the film uses captivating locales in Mexico City to portray the setting and the daily hustle and bustle and the contrast between wealth and poverty, the mundane and the horrific.

'Scherzo Diabolico' is a complex study of frustration and the extent a person can go to alter his circumstances. It delves deep into the psyche of a despairing man who resorts to unthinkable means. It displays an interesting blend of suspense, horror, and societal commentary. One of the essential narratives is the exploration of the fine line people walk when living in extreme circumstances and the potential monstrous part of humanity that can emerge when pushed to the limit.

While retaining elements of suspense and horror, the film cleverly weaves black humour throughout its narrative, which allows for moments of levity amidst intense scenes. This helps keep the atmosphere grim and tense, rather than making it excessively scary.

Moreover, the soundtrack, composed of varying tempo classical songs, creates a parallel narrative of its own. The haunting scores in the background mirror the increasing tension and the slowly unfurling plot, adding another layer to the film's depth.

To sum up, 'Scherzo Diabolico' is a multi-layered thriller that will keep its audiences intrigued with its blend of suspense, horror, subtle elements of dark humour, and captivating performance by its cast. It poses questions about ethics, morality, and how far people can stray off course in their quest for a better life. Despite its darker elements, the film is a compelling piece of cinema that is hard to forget. For anyone who enjoys well-scripted thrillers with psychological depth, 'Scherzo Diabolico' is a must-see.