New Movies: Rosario (2025) by Felipe Vargas

"Rosario (2025)": A Terrifying Dive into Generational Curses

Description: "Rosario (2025)" is a supernatural horror film marking the feature directorial debut of Felipe Vargas. The American production follows a Wall Street stockbroker named Rosario who, after her grandmother's sudden death, uncovers a horrifying familial curse tied to dark generational rituals, forcing her to confront buried secrets before they consume her.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27674700/

Link Review: https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/rosario-movie-review-1235120283/

About movie: https://highlandfilmgroup.com/movies/rosario

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/rosario-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/rosario-2024 (Canada)

Detailed Summary: The film centers on Rosario Fuentes (Emeraude Toubia), a successful Wall Street stockbroker whose life is abruptly upended by the unexpected death of her estranged grandmother. During a severe snowstorm, Rosario returns to her grandmother's apartment to watch over the body until an ambulance can arrive for transport. What begins as a somber vigil quickly descends into a nightmare. Rosario discovers a hidden chamber within the apartment, filled with occult artifacts directly linked to dark and disturbing generational rituals.

As supernatural occurrences begin to plague her, growing increasingly terrifying and menacing, Rosario realizes she is the target of a deadly family curse that spans generations. With otherworldly entities seemingly controlling her grandmother's body and tormenting her, Rosario is forced to confront the long-buried secrets of her family's past, including the sacrifices and choices they made, in a desperate fight to break the evil and save her own soul. The film is largely confined to the apartment, building a claustrophobic atmosphere as Rosario attempts to unravel the mystery while battling the malevolent presence.

Plot Summary:

• Wall Street stockbroker Rosario Fuentes returns to her grandmother's apartment after her sudden death.

• Stranded during a snowstorm, she uncovers a hidden chamber containing occult artifacts tied to family rituals.

• Supernatural occurrences begin to torment her, revealing a generational curse.

• Rosario must confront her family's dark past and fight to break the curse before it destroys her.

The plot is a supernatural horror centered on a familial curse and occult secrets.

Director's Vision: Felipe Vargas makes his feature directorial debut with "Rosario." Known for his acclaimed horror short film "Milk Teeth" and other works exploring fantasy and dark themes, Vargas brings a vision that blends psychological tension with visceral scares, rooted in Latin American stories and mythology. With "Rosario," he aims to create a character-driven horror film that delves into the weight of generational trauma and the price paid for inherited dreams, using a claustrophobic setting and supernatural elements to heighten the dread. While the premise is chilling, some early reviews suggest an inconsistent execution of the script, though Vargas' technical direction and visual style are often noted.

Themes:

• Generational Trauma/Curses: The central theme of a family curse impacting the protagonist.

• Buried Secrets: The uncovering of dark, hidden pasts within a family.

• Supernatural Horror: The presence of otherworldly entities and occult practices.

• Isolation and Claustrophobia: Much of the film takes place within a single apartment during a snowstorm.

• Cultural Heritage: The film touches on Latin American cultural references and mythology.

• Moral Consequences: The idea that past choices and sacrifices have horrifying repercussions.

Key Success Factors (Anticipated and Actual):

• Intriguing Premise: The high-concept horror of a familial curse tied to occult rituals is compelling.

• Emeraude Toubia's Performance: As the lead, her portrayal of terror and determination is central to the film.

• Experienced Supporting Cast: The presence of actors like David Dastmalchian (known for genre roles) adds credibility.

• Director's Horror Background: Felipe Vargas's prior short film success suggests an understanding of the genre.

• Timely Release: Positioned as a horror offering in early May.

Summary Short: Felipe Vargas's feature directorial debut, "Rosario (2025)," is an American supernatural horror film. It stars Emeraude Toubia as a Wall Street broker who, after her grandmother's death, uncovers a horrifying generational curse stemming from occult family rituals. Released theatrically on May 2, 2025, and digitally on May 20, 2025, the film has received mixed to negative critical reception, with praise for Toubia's performance but criticism for an inconsistent script and pacing.

Awards and Nominations: As of May 20, 2025, "Rosario (2025)" is a very recent release and has not yet garnered any significant awards or nominations.

Critics Reception

"Rosario" has received a mixed reception from critics. Many acknowledge its ambition to blend cultural themes with horror, but opinions diverge on its overall effectiveness.

• Dread Central: Praised "Rosario" as a "creepy little banger with quite a few scares" and a "chilling and claustrophobic exploration of grief." It highlighted Vargas's confident directorial debut and the effective practical effects, noting that the film successfully explores ideas of identity and breaking generational curses.

• Latin Horror: Celebrated Felipe Vargas's "culturally-grounded finesse" and "eerie and atmospheric supernatural horror." It commended the "small but stellar cast" and the stunning visuals and sets, calling it a film that "continues to bring the 'spine-tingling the creeps' to the genre."

• Next Best Picture: While acknowledging the "fantastic" production design, makeup, and practical effects, this review found the script "weak and cliched" and Emeraude Toubia's performance "unconvincing." It suggested the film's unique story only truly emerged in the final act, when it focused more on the immigrant experience.

• Screen Rant: Felt that "Rosario" "stretches the material of a really good short film into an underwhelming feature." It noted that while the technical aspects were "horrific and exemplary," "standard direction and a weak script hold the film back."

• We Are Movie Geeks: This review found the film's practical effects to be very good, but criticized the script for not making sense and the main character for making "dumb things" to set up horror effects. It also questioned the film's integration of Palo Mayombe with a Mexican grandmother's background, finding it underdeveloped.

• Metacritic: Based on a limited number of critic reviews, "Rosario" received a Metascore of 50 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews."

Summary of Critic Reception: Critics generally lauded the film's strong practical effects, makeup, and production design, creating a genuinely creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere within the apartment. There's appreciation for Felipe Vargas's directorial debut and his attempt to infuse the horror genre with Latin American cultural elements and themes of intergenerational trauma and the immigrant experience. However, a common criticism is that the script by Alan Trezza often feels clichéd, predictable, or underdeveloped, particularly in its handling of the Palo religion. Some reviewers also found the pacing uneven or felt that the central performance from Emeraude Toubia lacked conviction at times.

Reviews

• IMDb (User Reviews): User reviews on IMDb are quite divided. Many users enjoyed the film, praising its "interesting plot and good camera work," and its blend of "thriller and horror scenes with real life ancestral and strong cultural references." They appreciated the "good amount of special effects" and the film's ability to build tension. Some found Emeraude Toubia's performance strong, carrying much of the film. Conversely, other users found the film "all around garbage," "ridiculous and not well made," with "bad writing" and "poorly timed jumpscares." Criticisms often centered on the perceived lack of a cohesive story and the main character's actions.

• From the Fourth Row!: This review called "Rosario" an "effective contained horror-thriller" and praised Emeraude Toubia as "the beating heart of the film," whose performance conveyed unexpected guilt and depth. It highlighted the film's simplicity, short runtime, and atmospheric setting. While noting that the CGI "sticks out like a sore thumb," it concluded that "Rosario might be in contention for one of the more underrated horror offerings of 2025."

• Various Indie/Horror Blogs: Many independent and horror-focused blogs tend to lean more positively, often appreciating the film's adherence to traditional horror tropes while bringing in unique cultural context. They frequently commend the practical effects and the director's potential, even if the script has room for improvement.

Summary of Reviews: Reviews for "Rosario" highlight its strengths as a contained horror film, effectively using its single location to build suspense and dread. The film's practical effects are a consistent point of praise, providing genuinely grotesque and unsettling visuals. The attempt to weave in elements of Latin American culture and the immigrant experience is also recognized as a significant and potentially impactful aspect. However, many reviewers, both critics and general audiences, struggled with the perceived weaknesses in the script, such as predictability, underdeveloped plot points, and occasionally illogical character decisions. The lead performance also drew mixed opinions. Ultimately, "Rosario" appears to be a film that offers solid horror elements and a promising debut for Felipe Vargas, but it may divide audiences based on their tolerance for its narrative shortcomings.

Box Office: "Rosario (2025)" has had a modest box office performance since its release.

• Total Box Office: As of May 19, 2025, the film has grossed $1,021,051 USD worldwide.

• This figure includes its theatrical run in the United States and Canada.

Production: "Rosario (2025)" is an American horror film. It is the feature directorial debut of Felipe Vargas. The screenplay was written by Alan Trezza. The film was produced by Jon Silk, Javier Chapa, and Phillip Braun. Principal photography began in mid-November 2023 in Bogotá, Colombia. The score was composed by Brooke and Will Blair, and cinematography was handled by Carmen Cabana.

Production Companies:

• Silk Mass

• Mucho Mas Media

• Highland Film Group

• Jaguar Bite

• Rosario the Movie

Sales Companies: Information about the international sales agent is not explicitly provided, but Highland Film Group is involved in production, often handling sales.

Distribution Companies:

• United States: Mucho Mas Releasing (Theatrical, VOD, Digital)

Release Date on Streaming: "Rosario (2025)" became available on VOD (Video On Demand) and digital platforms on May 20, 2025.

Theatrical Release: "Rosario (2025)" was released theatrically in the United States on May 2, 2025.

Why to Recommend This Movie (with caveats):

• For Fans of Independent Horror: If you enjoy discovering new voices in the horror genre and films that explore unique cultural elements.

• Intriguing Premise: The concept of a generational curse tied to occult practices is a solid foundation for horror.

• Emeraude Toubia's Performance: Many critics have highlighted her strong acting as a reason to watch.

• Supernatural Elements: If you prefer horror that focuses on ghostly presences and dark rituals.

Why to Watch Movie (with caveats):

• If You Are Interested in Latin American-Inspired Horror: The film attempts to weave in cultural references and mythology.

• To Support a Directorial Debut: See Felipe Vargas's first feature film, following his acclaimed short "Milk Teeth."

• Enjoy Confined Setting Thrillers: The film largely takes place in a single apartment, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.

• You're a Fan of the Cast: Specifically, Emeraude Toubia or David Dastmalchian in a supporting role.

What Movie Trend film is Following: Supernatural Horror / Familial Horror / Independent Horror / Cultural Horror: The film aligns with the trend of supernatural horror focusing on family secrets and generational curses, reminiscent of films like "Hereditary" or "Relic." It also fits into the growing segment of independent horror that explores diverse cultural mythologies.

What Big Social Trend is Following: Reckoning with Ancestral History / Breaking Cycles of Trauma: The film taps into the broader social conversation around confronting family legacies, both positive and negative, and the psychological weight of inherited traumas. The idea of a "generational curse" is a literal manifestation of a metaphorical concept widely discussed today.

Final Verdict: Felipe Vargas's "Rosario (2025)" is an ambitious feature directorial debut that tackles a chilling premise: a young woman battling a supernatural familial curse. While the film benefits from a strong central performance by Emeraude Toubia and an intriguing concept rooted in occult rituals and cultural heritage, critical reception has been largely mixed to negative. Many reviewers praise Vargas's technical skill and the film's visual atmosphere but point to an inconsistent screenplay and pacing issues as key weaknesses, preventing it from fully delivering on its horror potential. Despite these criticisms, for audiences eager to support independent horror and those interested in a story that blends supernatural dread with themes of inherited trauma, "Rosario" offers a unique and potentially engaging, albeit flawed, cinematic experience. It serves as a promising first feature for Vargas, showcasing his talent even if the execution doesn't always hit its mark.

Recommendations for Film Makers (Learning from this film's reception):

• Prioritize Script Cohesion: A compelling premise needs a consistent and well-developed script to maintain its impact.

• Balance Ambition with Execution: While exploring complex themes is valuable, ensure that narrative elements are fully fleshed out and serve the story.

• Leverage Cultural Elements Thoughtfully: Incorporating specific cultural references can enrich a story, but they should be integrated organically and respectfully.

• Maintain Pacing: In a confined setting, pacing is crucial to building tension and avoiding audience fatigue.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Continue Supporting New Voices in Horror: Directors like Felipe Vargas bring fresh perspectives and cultural richness to the genre.

• Invest in High-Concept Indie Horror: Films with unique premises can break through, even with smaller budgets.

• Recognize the Importance of Script Development: A strong screenplay is fundamental to a film's success, regardless of its genre or stars.

• Diversify Horror Narratives: Encourage stories that draw from a wider range of cultural mythologies and experiences.