El Conde
Directed by Pablo LarraínAfter living 250 years in this world, Augusto Pinochet, who is not dead but an aged vampire, decides to die once and for all.
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El Conde Ratings & Reviews
- SamNovember 18, 2025mostly pretty good
- Kevin WardJuly 2, 2025Historical/political satire that takes aim at Chilean dictator Pinochet and “imagines” him as a bloodsucking vampire, bankrupting his countrymen for his own personal gain and furthering the generational wealth of his family. From what little I know of Pinochet, the metaphor seems apt, though you could probably apply it to virtually nearly any politician, past, present or future, and still land the metaphor. Was sort of hoping for a little more farcical humor, perhaps like Armando Iannucci’s Death to Stalin. There was a large chunk in the middle of this that I found rather boring. Perhaps someone with deeper knowledge of the subject matter may have an enhanced appreciation for the film. Whether you like the film or not, Ed Lachman’s cinematography is gorgeous and worthy of the Oscar nomination. You can really always count on a Pablo Larraín film to look stunning.
- jackmeatJanuary 17, 2025My quick rating - 6.4/10. I read good things about this one so time to see for myself. This flick is a bold and ambitious film that takes a darkly satirical look at Augusto Pinochet, reimagining the infamous Chilean dictator as a centuries-old vampire yearning for death. With its sharp political commentary, stunning visuals, and genre-blending narrative, the film dares to tackle history and myth in a way that’s both provocative and polarizing. While it earned its 2024 nomination for Best Achievement in Cinematography, the movie doesn’t entirely live up to its potential, falling short in areas where it could have truly shined. Visually, it is mesmerizing. Its black-and-white cinematography lends a timeless, almost gothic quality to the film, perfectly suited for the vampire lore intertwined with Pinochet's legacy. Jaime Vadell’s portrayal of Pinochet is hauntingly effective, enhanced by devilish makeup that mirrors the character’s monstrous nature. The atmospheric settings and striking aerial shots add to the film’s sense of grandeur, while the incorporation of historical elements, such as Pinochet’s encounters with revolutionaries in places like Haiti, Cuba, and Russia, adds depth. The exploration of Pinochet’s vampire origins during the Ancien Régime is one of the movie’s highlights. These sequences are both eerie and captivating, offering a fresh twist on the vampire mythos while tying them to broader themes of power and exploitation. The timeline that traces Pinochet's opposition to revolutionaries across different nations is fascinating and offers glimpses of a deeper story, though it feels underdeveloped. The film’s greatest strength lies in its dark humor and biting political satire. The depiction of Pinochet’s greedy and morally bankrupt family, as well as the sinister presence of the torturer-turned-butler, adds layers of grotesque comedy and underscores the rot within his inner circle. It’s an indictment of corruption and complicity, brought to life with moments of sharp wit and gore-laden horror. However, El Conde is not without its flaws. The script feels unbalanced, and the pacing is inconsistent, oscillating between moments of brilliance and sluggish, drawn-out scenes that test your patience. While the film successfully traverses multiple genres—gore horror, dark comedy, political satire, and even thriller—it struggles to find a cohesive tone, leaving the experience feeling fragmented at times. The character development also leaves something to be desired. While their moral corruption is evident, the motivations and behaviors of many characters, including Pinochet himself, often feel inconsistent or underexplained. This lack of clarity diminishes the emotional impact of their actions and detracts from the film’s overall strength. While it didn’t fully meet my expectations, it’s still a film worth watching for its bold approach and exceptional visuals. My verdict: intriguing but flawed.
El Conde Trivia
El Conde was released on September 15, 2023.
El Conde was directed by Pablo Larraín.
El Conde has a runtime of 1h 51m.
El Conde was produced by Rocío Jadue.
The key characters in El Conde are El Conde (Jaime Vadell), Lucia (Gloria Münchmeyer), Fyodor (Alfredo Castro).
El Conde is rated R.
El Conde is a Comedy, Fantasy, History film.
El Conde has an audience rating of 5.9 out of 10.