FOREIGN MOVIES. “She Walks in Darkness.” / “Another Round.” / “Someone, Somewhere.” / “Watchtower.” / “Lore.”

“She Walks in Darkness” (2025, Netflix) Spanish political thriller. The plot follows Amaia, a Guardia Civil agent going undercover for years within the ETA ranks seeking to crack the location of the group's multiple weapons caches scattered in southern France.

       Formed in 1959, ETA or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna is the armed Basque separatist organization in Spain and France.

       Apparently the ETA's life is a significant subject matter in Spain's history but this political thriller, starting with Susana Abaitua's performance as Amaia, is lazily one-dimensional. No thrill to engage with, dramatic tension is lacking, and the pace is dragging. 🎥💻📽

“Another Round” (2020, Plex) Danish black comedy-drama. Four high school teachers experiment with maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood to boost creativity and confidence. 

       Deftly directed by the reliable Thomas Vintenberg (“The Hunt,” “Far from the Madding Crowd”) this tragicomedy is anchored on Mads Mikkelsen in top form. A profound albeit accessible look at midlife crises. For his effort, Mr Vintenberg was deservedly nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director, the first Danish filmmaker nominated in the Best Director category. 🎥💻📽

“Someone, Somewhere” (2019, Plex) French comedy. Rémy, who has an unskilled job, and Mélanie, who works in scientific research, are two thirty-year-old Parisians at the mercy of a depressive mood. 

       Ana Girardot as Mélanie and Francois Civil as Remy are fine performers, they embodied the jitters, panic and indifference of depressed individuals with ease and facility. At first, the pace was kind of slow and boring, or lifeless, like a psychology textbook. Until a cat showed up, so my interest woke up. And the movie carried on, just fine. 🎥💻📽

“Watchtower” (2012, Tubi) Turkish-German drama that explores the lives of two traumatized individuals—Nihat, a fire warden, and Seher, a bus hostess—who find themselves isolated in a rural landscape, with their fates eventually colliding. 

       It is a dramatically subtle interaction between two distraught or isolated individuals who find shelter, calm, and companionship. Pelin Esmer's low-key direction is anchored on depth, unassuming strength, and performance restraint. Heartwarming in its simplicity. 🎥💻📽

“Lore” (2012, Tubi) German historical drama. In south-west Germany, during the aftermath of World War II, five destitute siblings must travel 560 miles to their grandmother's home by the Bay of Husum near Hamburg after their high-level Nazi parents disappear in danger of arrest by Allied occupation authorities. 

       Based on the 2001 novel “The Dark Room” by Rachel Seiffert, this movie was Australia's submission to the 85th Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but was not accepted as a nominee. So much for awards stuff.

       Very sensitive movie, in an in-your-face bitchslap urgency and audacity, without sliding to graphic daring. Meanwhile, director Cate Shortland's kneading camera-work, which reminds me of Ingmar Bergman's insistent close-ups, disturbs the soul. 

       And newcomer Saskia Rosendahl (as central character Hannelore “Lore” Dressler) gives a piercingly astonishing performance. No hysterics, no dramatic bombast–yet she clearly delivered the movie's message loud and clear. 🎥💻📽