New Movies: Continent (2024) by Davi Pretto: A Brazilian Horror-Drama of Family Secrets and Rural Unrest
- dailyentertainment95
- Jun 10
- 8 min read
Continent (2024) is a horror-drama film directed and written by Davi Pretto. It follows Amanda (Olivia Torres), who returns to her sprawling family farm in a remote village in southern Brazil after fifteen years abroad. She finds her father in a coma and the farm workers in revolt, leading her to uncover a mysterious secret held by the villagers linked to a strange inheritance. The film blends supernatural and Western elements to explore themes of unresolved pasts, land disputes, and the unsettling dynamics of an isolated rural community.
Short Summary
Davi Pretto's Continent (2024) is a horror-drama where Amanda returns to her isolated Brazilian family farm to find her father in a coma and workers rebelling. She uncovers a mysterious village secret linked to her inheritance, blending supernatural and Western themes.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11306808/
About movie: https://dublinfilms.fr/en/portfolio/continente/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/continent (Spain)
Detailed Summary
Continent (2024) is a horror-drama film written and directed by Brazilian filmmaker Davi Pretto, known for his critically acclaimed works Castanha and Rifle. This Brazil, France, and Argentina co-production takes viewers to the remote, endless plains of southern Brazil. The story begins with Amanda (played by Olivia Torres), who, after living abroad for fifteen years, returns with her boyfriend (Corentin Fila) to her birthplace: a vast family farm.
Upon her arrival, Amanda discovers a troubling situation: her father is in a coma, and the farm workers are "on the warpath," indicating significant unrest and conflict. As events unfold, Amanda becomes entangled in a "strange inheritance linked to a mysterious secret held by the villagers." The film is described as establishing a "dialogue between supernatural and Western" elements, suggesting a blend of unsettling, possibly folkloric horror with the rugged, isolated atmosphere of a rural frontier. Pretto co-wrote the script with Igor Verde and Paola Wink. The cast also includes Ana Flavia Cavalcanti and Breno De Filipo. The film was shot in Brazil and had its world premiere at the Munich International Film Festival, subsequently being selected for other prestigious festivals like Sitges Film Festival and Rio de Janeiro.
Plot Summary
Return Home: Amanda, accompanied by her boyfriend, returns to her family's sprawling farm in a remote village in southern Brazil after a 15-year absence.
Unsettling Discoveries: She finds her father in a coma and the farm workers in open revolt, signaling deep-seated conflict and instability.
Mysterious Inheritance: Amanda becomes involved in a "strange inheritance" connected to a long-held secret among the villagers.
Unveiling the Past: As she navigates the tense situation, she unearths truths about her family's history and the mysterious past of the isolated community.
Genre Blend: The narrative combines elements of horror-drama, hinting at supernatural occurrences, with a Western-like atmosphere of conflict and survival in a frontier setting.
Confrontation and Resolution: Amanda is forced to confront both the human and potentially supernatural forces at play to understand and resolve the crisis.
Director's Vision
Davi Pretto's directorial vision for Continent (2024) involves creating a horror-drama that deeply explores the social and historical tensions of rural Brazil through a genre lens. His vision emphasizes:
Blending Genres: Pretto aims to establish a "dialogue between supernatural and Western" elements, using the horror genre to address underlying social issues and the Western genre to depict conflict over land and power in a remote setting.
Atmosphere and Isolation: The film utilizes the "endless plains of southern Brazil" and an "isolated village" to create a distinct, unsettling atmosphere that amplifies the drama and horror.
Unresolved Pasts: Pretto likely intends to show how historical injustices, family secrets, and social unrest fester in isolated communities, leading to volatile present-day conflicts.
Social Commentary through Horror: The "horror-drama" label suggests that the film will use frightening or unsettling elements to comment on real-world issues like land disputes, labor conflicts, and familial power dynamics.
Emotional Depth: While a horror-drama, the focus on Amanda's return to her roots and her father's state implies an emotional journey about confronting family legacy and belonging.
Key Themes
Return and Belonging: Amanda's return after 15 years explores themes of reconnecting with one's roots, the changes in a familiar place, and the struggle to belong.
Unresolved Past and Secrets: The "mysterious secret" held by the villagers and the "strange inheritance" point to a history of unresolved conflicts and hidden truths that haunt the present.
Land and Power Disputes: The "workers on the warpath" and the "family farm" suggest underlying tensions over land ownership, labor rights, and the abuse of power in rural areas.
Supernatural and Folkloric Elements: The blend of horror and Western implies the incorporation of local legends, superstitions, or a pervasive sense of dread tied to the land and its history.
Family Legacy and Burden: Amanda's father's coma and the inheritance indicate a complex family legacy that she must now navigate and potentially bear the burden of.
Isolation and Community Dynamics: The remote setting highlights the unique social dynamics, insularity, and potential for conflict within an isolated community.
Key Success Factors
Unique Genre Blend: The combination of horror-drama with Western elements offers a fresh and intriguing cinematic experience.
Strong Sense of Place: The vast plains of southern Brazil provide a unique and atmospheric backdrop that can elevate the film's tone.
Timely Social Commentary: The exploration of land disputes, labor unrest, and family secrets is deeply relevant in many parts of the world.
Davi Pretto's Established Reputation: As a director with acclaimed previous works, Pretto brings a level of artistic credibility and expectation to the project.
Festival Recognition: Its selection for prestigious international film festivals indicates early critical interest and quality.
Awards and Nominations
Continent (2024) has been an official selection at several notable film festivals:
Munich International Film Festival (World Premiere)
Sitges Film Festival (Official Fantastic Competition)
Festival Internacional do Filme do Rio de Janeiro (Premiere Brasil: New Trends - Feature Films)
It was also one of eight selected projects for First Cut+ Trieste 2024.
These selections indicate strong recognition within the international festival circuit for its artistic merit.
Critical Reception
Critical reception for Continent (2024) is beginning to emerge from its festival screenings. While specific reviews are not yet widely aggregated, its selection for major international festivals like Munich, Sitges, and Rio suggests positive initial buzz within industry and festival circles. The film is noted for its ambitious blend of horror-drama and Western elements, and its exploration of social themes. More widespread critical consensus will likely form as it reaches broader audiences.
Reviews
As Continent (2024) has primarily been screened at film festivals, widespread audience or critical reviews are still developing. However, based on its genre and themes, early reviews are likely to focus on:
Atmosphere and Tone: How effectively the film creates a sense of dread and isolation in the Brazilian countryside.
Genre Integration: The success of blending horror, drama, and Western elements.
Olivia Torres's Performance: Her portrayal of Amanda and her journey through the unfolding mystery.
Social Commentary: How well the film addresses themes of land, class conflict, and hidden histories.
Davi Pretto's Direction: His ability to craft a compelling narrative with a distinctive style.
Production Summary
Continent (2024) is a co-production between Brazil, France, and Argentina. It is directed by Davi Pretto, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Igor Verde and Paola Wink. The film was shot in Portuguese and French in Brazil. Producers include Paola Wink (Vulcana Cinema), David Hurst (Dublin Films), Georgina Baisch and Cecilia Salim (Murillo Cine), and Pasto.
Production Companies
Vulcana Cinema (Brazil)
Dublin Films (France)
Murillo Cine (Argentina)
Pasto (Argentina)
Sales Companies
Lights On (Italy-based) is listed as handling international sales for Continent (2024).
Distribution Companies
Olhar Filmes is listed as a distributor in Brazil. Unifrance also lists the film's origins as Brazil, France, and Argentina, implying broader distribution in these territories.
Streaming Release Date
As of early June 2025, Continent (2024) is not widely available for streaming, and specific streaming release dates have not been announced. It is likely to become available on various platforms after its festival run and initial theatrical release in some territories.
Theatrical Release
Continent (2024) has a listed release date of July 18, 2024, in Argentina. It has premiered and been screened at several international film festivals in 2024.
Why to Recommend the Movie
Unique Genre Fusion: The blend of horror-drama with Western elements offers a fresh and intriguing cinematic experience.
Atmospheric Storytelling: Davi Pretto's direction promises an unsettling and immersive dive into a remote Brazilian landscape.
Socio-Political Depth: The film explores relevant themes of land, class conflict, and unresolved historical issues through a genre lens.
Festival Acclaim: Its selection by prestigious international festivals indicates high artistic quality and originality.
Intriguing Mystery: The central plot involving a mysterious secret and inheritance creates compelling suspense.
Why to Watch the Movie
If you enjoy atmospheric horror or psychological dramas: The film's setting and themes suggest a focus on unsettling tension.
To see a fresh perspective on a Western narrative: It recontextualizes familiar Western tropes within a distinct Brazilian rural setting.
If you appreciate international cinema: It's a co-production showcasing talent from Brazil, France, and Argentina.
For a film that uses genre to explore social issues: It delves into real-world conflicts through the lens of horror and drama.
To experience a unique blend of mystery, family drama, and potential supernatural elements.
Movie Trend
The film aligns with the trend of Genre Films with Socio-Political Undercurrents, where horror or thriller elements are used to explore real-world issues such as land disputes, class struggle, or historical trauma. It also fits into the growing interest in International Co-productions that bring diverse regional narratives to a global audience, particularly from Latin America. The blend of Supernatural and Western tropes is another emerging trend in genre cinema.
Social Trend
The film resonates with the social trend of Reckoning with Historical Injustices and Unresolved Land Disputes, particularly in post-colonial contexts where indigenous rights or agricultural workers' struggles are prominent. It also touches upon the broader societal fascination with Rural Isolation and the Hidden Secrets of Small Communities, tapping into anxieties about the unknown and the past. The blend of "supernatural" elements could also align with a renewed interest in Folklore and Indigenous Belief Systems in a contemporary setting.
Final Verdict
Continent (2024), directed and written by Davi Pretto, is an intriguing horror-drama that masterfully blends elements of the supernatural and the Western genre. Set against the vast and remote plains of southern Brazil, the film plunges Amanda into a mysterious family legacy and escalating conflict with farm workers upon her return home. Pretto's vision uses this unsettling premise to explore deep-seated social issues, including land disputes and unresolved community secrets. With its strong festival presence and unique atmospheric storytelling, Continent promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking cinematic experience for audiences interested in international genre cinema that offers more than just scares.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Embrace Genre Hybridity: Don't be afraid to combine seemingly disparate genres (like horror and Western) to create a unique narrative and explore complex themes in a fresh way.
Utilize Setting as a Character: Let the environment and landscape of your film actively contribute to its atmosphere, tension, and thematic depth.
Ground Genre in Social Reality: Use fantastical or thrilling elements to comment on real-world social, political, or historical issues, adding layers of meaning to your story.
Seek International Co-production: Collaborating with international partners can open up funding, distribution, and diverse creative perspectives for your project.
Focus on Unearthing Secrets: Build narratives around deep-seated mysteries and unresolved pasts, creating compelling suspense and character journeys.
Recommendations for the Movie Industry
Invest in International Genre Films: Support directors who are creating unique genre films from diverse cultural contexts, as these often bring fresh perspectives and resonate globally.
Promote Films with Socio-Political Themes: Highlight movies that use entertainment to spark dialogue about important social issues, even if they are presented through genre conventions.
Recognize Atmospheric Storytelling: Value films that prioritize mood and environment to build tension and emotional impact, rather than solely relying on plot twists.
Facilitate Festival-to-Distribution Pathways: Streamline the process for acclaimed festival films to reach wider audiences through digital and theatrical distribution channels.
Explore Untapped Regions: Actively seek out compelling stories and talent from underrepresented regions, enriching the global cinematic landscape.
Final Conclusions
Continent (2024) by Davi Pretto: A Brazilian horror-drama, this film sees Amanda return to her remote family farm to find her father in a coma and workers in revolt. She uncovers a mysterious village secret tied to her inheritance, as the film blends supernatural and Western elements to explore unresolved pasts, land disputes, and unsettling rural dynamics.
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