Daniel (Juan Diego Botto) and wife Laura (Bárbara Lennie) seem happy together but are struggling to have a baby. Laura is desperate and is determined she will have a child. One day when Daniel is at work he is visited by an old friend Mario (Marc Rodríguez) who seems disturbed by something and wants Daniel to meet his daughter Julia (played magnificently by Mágica Pérez) as she reminds him of someone. Daniel disregards Mario’s pleas and tells him to visit a doctor. Shortly after Mario kills himself and his daughter Julia is left guardian-less. When Laura finds out about the young girl who has experienced so much tragedy she insists her and Daniel look after her as he knew her father. Daniel reluctantly accepts, warning Laura not to get too attached. But when he meets Laura he starts to see what Mario meant and becomes convinced Julia is actually someone else from his childhood who died, bringing back memories from his childhood he would have rather stayed buried.
Dictado, or Childish Games which is its English title, is a typical psychological thriller using all the familiar conventions but it is all the more enjoyable for this as they are executed in an intelligent way. Daniel slowly begins to unravel as he spends more time with Julia and his past comes back to haunt him. The acting is of a high calibre particularly from the young actress Mágica Pérez who plays Julia, a charming sweet girl with Laura and a mysterious and creepy girl with Daniel. There are some creepy moments, however this is much more psychological horror than full blown scares horror. The rhyme that Julia recites, the dictation of the title, is suitably haunting and a red ribbon is the typical horror recurring motif.
With the suspenseful atmosphere, haunting music, shadows and dream sequences this film owes a lot to Hitchcock and it knows it, the storyline even echoing Vertigo (1958). This might indeed irk some people but I found the film established its own style and used conventional techniques with it. It is therefore not hugely original but it is entertaining nonetheless. Unfortunately, due to the fact that recent Spanish horror films such as The Orphanage (2007) and Julia’s Eyes (2010) have gained a reputation for being extremely chilling and regenerating the genre, this film appears extremely conventional in comparison.
Whilst it is formulaic, Dictado is thoroughly atmospheric and engaging throughout. It isn’t too predictable but the ending is a little disappointing. It is a solid psychological thriller that will entertain but is perhaps not as memorable as it could have been.
Dictado is in Competition at this year’s Berlinale.
Director: Antonio Chavarrias
Stars: Juan Diego Botto, Barbara Lennie, Magica Perez, Marc Rodriguez
Runtime: 95 mins
Country: Spain
Film Rating: 
