El Conde Review: Pablo Larraìn’s Latest Is A Creative Risk That Doesn’t Pay Off
This review was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, El Conde wouldn't exist.
If you’d told me that Pablo Larrain’s next film after the critically acclaimed Spencer would be about Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and would take a satirical tone, I would’ve asked if you’re feeling okay.
Here's a speed run for those who aren’t familiar with Larrain’s filmography. Most of his recent works focused on political leaders such as Jackie Kennedy and Diana Spencer and explored a turbulent time in their lives.
However, Larrain’s earlier works share a much more apparent thread with El Conde, especially if you look at Tony Manero and Post Mortem, which Larrain himself considers being part of an “unintentional trilogy,” all focusing on Pinochet’s dictatorship in one way or another.
Speaking of, this is as good a time as any to talk about how Larrain informs the viewers who might not be familiar with Pinochet. As someone who didn’t know about Pinochet even remotely, the historical aspect was entirely lost on me until I paused the film and looked it up online.
Larrain further pushes this when he introduces the Chilean dictator, who is a 250-year-old vampire who wants to die. Furthermore, there are things Larrain adds to Pinochet’s history that further confused me about what was fact or fiction, like references to more modern events.
After this, the film lost me for a good chunk of the film, which isn’t helped by the entire film being shot in black and white and 2:1 aspect ratio for seemingly no reason other than vibes. That’s not even detailing the distracting narration and overbearing score.
I know I’m being pessimistic, so allow me to cover a positive for the film and why I didn’t rate the film lower: the second half. Once this second half hits, El Conde becomes thoroughly enjoyable. Gone is the political baggage of the first half, and the tone shifts from a dour to a dark, satirical one. It’s like an episode of Succession, but sub out Logan Roy for a vampire and shoot it in black and white.
There were moments in this section of the film that I still think about two weeks after viewing it, and it allows Larrain to explore every aspect of every genre, whether it be black comedy, satire, political biopic, drama, vampire, and everything else in between.
So, if you’re looking for a weird movie that features vampires and dictators, this is your film. If you’re not, maybe watch something else. That said, an established director like Larrain rarely takes such a creative risk, which should be applauded, no matter the execution.
If you’d like to watch or listen to my conversation with Ann Stucchi about the film, you can do so below.
★★
El Conde is now streaming on Netflix.
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Until next time!
