The greatest, most intense horror films often have a core of truth to them.  A kernel of fact among the fiction that intensifies the terror.  In Wekufe: The Origin of Evil, Javier Attridge invites viewers to journey onto a quiet, secluded island called Chiloe that harbors a dark secret and if possible, an even darker presence.

On Chiloe, just off the coast of Chile, 70% of the total crime rate is made up of sex crimes.  Rape, incest, and molestation abound, and locals are apt to blame an evil, demonic presence for committing or causing men to commit the crimes.  But that is just one of the secrets to be discovered on Chiloe and Attridge digs deep to tell a story that could only come from this secluded corner of the world.

As the film opens, Paula and Matias are making their way to Chiloe  so that Paula can make a news report for her university about the crime statistics and their relation to the legend of the trauca demon.  She’s a complex character with just the right combination of strength and vulnerabilities to make her the perfect final girl.  Matias, Paula’s handsome boyfriend, wants to make movies and the subject of her report has sparked his imagination to make a found footage horror film based on the local mythology.  Together, they set about interviewing locals and piecing together the story of the evils that hide in Chiloe.

Attridge, who’s making his debut as both writer and director of Wekufe, gives viewers a lot to think about as we journey through the small village and surrounding forests of Chiloe.  The overall feel of Wekufe is reminiscent of the thrill of sitting down to watch The Blair Witch Project that very first time, and it isn’t just the found footage style of the film.  Both films center around local legends; both have an uncanny knack for sparking the viewer’s imagination to fill in the blanks between what is seen and unseen.  And much like Blair Witch, Wekufe relies on the considerable strength of its young, central actors (once again using their own names) to engage the viewer.

Paula Figueroa, in the role of Paula, is a wonder to watch as she evolves (and devolves) as the story progresses.  What is wonderful is that she just is as believable as the intelligent, ambitious reporter as she is in her moments of weakness and fear.  Figueroa has a huge arc within the story and she embraces every moment with honesty in her portrayal.  Likewise, Matias Aldea brings depth to a role that could easily have been cast aside as the macho, stubborn boyfriend.  Matias is a whole person in the actor’s capable hands.  His portrayal as he moves from unlikely horror film maker to impassioned hero is wholly engaging, even when he makes his inevitable mistakes.

But perhaps the most unwieldy and terrifying character of all is Chiloe itself.  I confess, I knew little about Chile and its region before beginning the film, but as it unfolded, I was impressed as the film could gave voice beautifully to a people who have thrived and survived the best way they knew how.  Their courage in the face of European imperialism and the way they have both integrated and stood firmly against those influences is equally on display.

At one point, Matias and Paula meet with a local professor and as the man speaks to the belief in these evil spirits they are investigating, he gives a quote that perfectly sums up the people of Chiloe.  “I do not believe in the brujos, but they exist.”  This idea plays out over and over throughout the film.  The locals do not necessarily believe in the influence of these evil spirits, but they will not deny that something causes the men to carry out their horrific acts.

Ultimately, we the viewers are left with the same questions and feelings as the credits roll.

Attridge and his crew present so many ideas within the film for the audience to ponder, and I wonder if that might not be his only real misstep in creating his film.  The elements play together and off each other very well, but there are moments when I could not help but feel that if I was native Chilean, it might make more sense to me.  Between dark, insatiable spirits, brujos (the Spanish word for sorcerer), and questions of European influence on Chile, it was a lot to take in for someone outside the region.  However, this did nothing to damage the film as a whole or to keep me from enjoying it.  If anything, it piqued my curiosity about the region and its beliefs.

Wekufe: The Origin of Evil is set to begin screenings at film festivals around the world.  It’s a thoroughly entertaining and engaging horror film with moments of genuine terror, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for fans of the found footage sub-genre.

You can follow Wekufe on Facebook for announcements when it will be playing festivals in your area, and also when it will be available in other formats for home viewing!  You can also click here to watch the trailer for the film and a glimpse into the intriguing imagery Javier Attridge has in store for you.