32 Malasana Street – Shudder Review (3/5)

32 MALASANA STREET is a new Shudder horror movie from Spain. The title refers to the place where this story plays out. And yes, it was inspired by real events – though indirectly. Watch it on Shudder if you enjoy creepiness and jumpscares. Read our 32 Malasana Street review here!

32 MALASANA STREET is a new Shudder horror movie from Spain with the original title Malasaña 32. Obviously, the title was simply translated and refers to the place all the awful things happen. However, this particular address doesn’t actually exist in real life. 

More on that later, since the events in this horror movie are based on true stories – in various indirect ways, mostly.

Continue reading our 32 Malasana Street review below and find it on Shudder now.

We love Spanish horror movies, but…

Look, we all have preferences and here at Heaven of Horror, we tend to love Spanish horror movies as well as all genre films from South Korea. There’s just something about the consistent production quality, focus on characters, and great actors that make it all come together for us.

32 Malasana Street is definitely not without issues. As a horror movie, it does exactly what it’s designed to do. Sure, you’ll guess plot twists ahead of time. Hell, you can even anticipate the jump scares. Still, the excellent timing of them will still get you a few times.

What I am not crazy about are elements of the story that I could definitely have done without. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I do have to note that there are some terrible tropes and stereotypes regarding certain minorities. I can’t help but roll my eyes and have a “This? Again?!”-moment.

It doesn’t ruin the movie for me, but it certainly doesn’t improve it either. It does, however, make me like it less. Also, I love Spanish horror precisely because it tends to shy away from some of these tropes and stereotypes – unless used in more of a “spoofy” way. That is not the case with 32 Malasana Street.

Is 32 Malasana Street based on a true story?

Well, there’s no simple answer to this question. Yes, 32 Malasana Street is based on some events that took place in the Malasaña neighborhood in Madrid, Spain. However, the particular story of this Shudder horror movie is not a specific real event.

Just like there is no number 32 on Malasana Street in Madrid.

Also, the building featured in this horror movie is not on the street either. Actually, I just feel like the inside of this building looks like that of [REC]. As a huge fan of that movie, I always feel at home when that’s the case. And let’s be real, it very often is the case that the inside of an apartment building looks very similar to this one.

Anyway, the short answer to the question “Is the horror movie 32 Malasana Street based on a true story?” is no.

The longer answer is that yes, there is a neighborhood in Madrid called Malasaña and there are lots of eerie stories and urban legends that originate from this neighborhood. Along with some real-life crimes that help the stories stay alive.

Watch 32 Malasana Street now!

Albert Pintó is the director of Malasaña 32 which premiered in its native Spain back in January 2020. So, what feels like a decade ago by now and way before any pandemic shut down movie theaters worldwide. In fact, it was also released in most Latin American countries before the middle of March. The film is still being released in countries worldwide now.

Previously, Albert Pintó has directed several short films as well as co-directed the 2017 horror-comedy Matar a Dios. This new horror movie is his solo feature film debut. Albert Pintó is also one of the directors behind the horror, sci-fi, comedy anthology Asylum: Twisted Horror and Fantasy Tales (2020). That one is currently set for a March 2021 release in the US.

The writers behind 32 Malasana Street are Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, David Orea, and Salvador S. Molina. Writers Gema R. Neira and David Orea are both creators on the Netflix hit-series Alta Mar (High Seas) and Las chicas del cable (Cable Girls).

If you like movies that have an eerie vibe and is designed to creep you out and make you jump, then you really need to check out this one on Shudder. However, you will also have to ignore some huge plot holes and ignore some common sense. Is it worth it? Well, yeah, for the most part, it actually is.

Oh, and horror movement actor Javier Botet gets his debut in a regular role – although he also plays a monster role. So if you’re curious about that, there’s another reason to watch the movie.

32 Malasana Street is out on Shudder from October 22, 2020.

Details

Director: Albert Pintó
Writers: Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, David Orea, Salvador S. Molina
Stars: Begoña Vargas, Iván Marcos, Bea Segura, Sergio Castellanos, Iván Renedo, Javier Botet, Concha Velasco, María Ballesteros, Rosa Álvarez, Almudena Salort, José Luis de Madariaga