Some may call this a horror flick, but The Wait is really more like a terrific episode of Twilight Zone in an unusual location.

In the sunny and dry countryside of Spain, a good man, Eladio (Victor Clavijo) is hired to watch over a hunting area. There are only meant to be ten hunting stations, no more. Part of his job is to make sure that the outdoor stations are well-spaced. We don’t want any hunters accidentally taking a bullet meant for an animal.

A sinister, rich and plump owner, Don Francisco, has Eladio (who is essentially illiterate) sign a contract and the job is afoot.

 After three years of service, Don Carlos — Don Francisco’s second in command — offers him a bribe to add an additional three stands to the property. That would mean substantially more money and who would know the difference? It’s not like Don Francisco ever visits the property. But it would make things much more dangerous.

After mulling it over, Eladio’s wife steps in and convinces him to take the money. Ah, but greed never ends well, does it? Unforeseen consequences turn Eladio’s family upside down, and sinks him into deep bouts of guilt and shame.

As I say, it’s not really horror per se. It’s been more accurately described as a “folk horror thriller” and described as a “love letter to the horror/fantasy genre,” Well, whatever you call it, it’s a deliberately paced, but suspense building narrative that really takes you into the location and the characters. And has an updated Twilight Zone final act.

That’s what the best films do; take you to another place and make you believe you are there.

In Spanish with subtitles, The Wait can be seen on Amazon Prime and, even better, on the Film Movement Plus platform. I use the Film Movement App and love the selection of cool films, old and new.