50 Years of 'Who Can Kill a Child?': Spain's Horror Film Resurgence

Spain is currently witnessing a boom in horror cinema, a phenomenon potentially fueled by the genre's capacity to serve as an outlet for processing real-world anxieties. This resurgence echoes a similar period in Spain's history, specifically the years surrounding the end of Franco's dictatorship and the subsequent transition to democracy.

A key film from this era, Narciso Ibáñez Serrador's 1976 masterpiece '¿Quién puede matar a un niño?' (Who Can Kill a Child?), is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Guillermo González Hernández, author of a recent study on the film, interprets it as a potent allegory reflecting the "Spanish tradition and the suffocating political climate of the moment." He notes that Ibáñez Serrador masterfully brought terror "home," grounding it in recognizable Spanish landscapes, a stark contrast to the typical gothic horror settings.

Shot in various Spanish locations, the film unfolds under a bright, sunny sky, presenting a deceptive normalcy. González emphasizes the impact of this familiar setting, recalling a father's reaction upon seeing the film: 'That could be my village!' This juxtaposition of idyllic scenery with underlying horror creates a deeply unsettling experience for the viewer.

While the film received mixed reactions in Spain, it achieved significant commercial success in Italy, outperforming Spielberg's 'Jaws.' According to Samuel Steinberg, the film starkly contrasts the "postcard" image of Spain promoted abroad with the brutal realities of the country. For Steinberg, '¿Quién puede matar a un niño?' serves as a metaphorical reflection of Spain's traumatic historical moment, oscillating between the fear of renewed violence and the uncertain prospect of democracy.