Manticore

Spanish provocateur Carlos Vermut (“Magical Girl”) directs the hell out of this dark story of obsession about Julián, a shy PC game creature modeler who saves a young boy from an apartment fire, only for the event to eat away at his soul and threaten to reveal his disturbing secrets to the world. —M.G.

After rescuing a child neighbor from a home fire, video game designer Julián’s solitary life is plagued by anxiety attacks and emotional instability. Though he develops a relationship with Diana, a film-obsessed art student, Julián’s isolation grows darker and more troublesome. As he designs a beastly final boss for a game at work, he becomes consumed by a monster emerging within: an unspeakable sexual desire manifested in his digital designs. Told with tension and restraint, MANTICORE is nevertheless unflinching in its psychological examination of monstrous impulse. This provocative and disturbing film asks questions about art and digital media’s capacity for immorality and its ability to prevent or cause harm, avoiding easy answers at every level. —C.F.

Content Warning: This film contains material that may be difficult for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.