There are murders, and thus a killer or several. The story follows a researcher pool and a criminology professor who becomes a homicide detective. It frames itself as a thriller, yet something else drives its energy. The film challenges conventional criminology by suggesting that evil does not fit a predictable pattern, and the investigators build suspect profiles by imagining concentric circles that expand from each clue. The director, Gonzalo Crespo, debuted this project at the Alicante Film Festival, with a theatrical release set for the following Friday.
In collaboration with the screenwriter, Jose Francisco Ortuño, Crespo explores a fear not bound to a single kind of villain. The team asks whether anyone could be a murderer and what limits human beings will cross in the face of moral testing. The film raises questions about how far the study of crime should go when confronted with an enemy who resists easy categorization.
first hero
The lead role is played by Carlos Olalla, an actor whose career has included numerous supporting parts in both television and cinema. The production was shot in Seville and in New York, with a cast that includes Jesús Castro, Geraldine Torres, John de Luca, and Lucía Guerrero, among others. The actor breathes life into the professor who guides a student toward solving a series of murders that unfold in New York City. The professor questions the central assumptions of criminology, wondering how to halt a killer who seems to defy established theories.
Carlos Olalla, Gonzalo Crespo, and José Francisco Ortuño appear in Alicante for a press event tied to the film. The project reflects a collaboration that brings a dramatic vision to life through dialogue and character dynamics that challenge viewers to rethink the rules of investigative logic.
For Olalla, taking on this role meant meeting two significant challenges. First, the actor had to fit into the character as envisioned by Crespo, the director. Filming in Seville a year earlier and later in New York, the production faced delays caused by the pandemic, which made the timing of the shoot even more meaningful for the team. The other challenge was to honor the director’s trust and meet his expectations for the portrayal.
Filming in New York proved almost effortless and deeply rewarding. The city itself becomes a character, a backdrop that intensifies the story. The team spent three to four weeks in the metropolis, using its rhythm and atmosphere to heighten the tension of the investigation and the ethical questions at its core.
Financing and festivals
The production benefited from support through a platform tied to a southern television channel, a practical arrangement that helps make the film viable in a crowded market. In today’s Spanish cinema scene, it is crucial to find platforms that can bring a movie to a broad audience, and the producers hope this project will gain international attention, in part because portions were filmed in the United States.
Festival participation also plays a key role in the project’s visibility. Major festivals provide a stage to expose the film to audiences and critics alike, while smaller festivals offer a different kind of encouragement. The cast reflects on how these appearances help propel an actor’s career. The project marks a moment when the team looks back at how far they have come and forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in the wake of its Alicante presentation.
For Olalla, the experience underscored the realities of a demanding profession. The actor notes that the industry can be punishing, but it rewards perseverance with opportunities to tell meaningful stories. And the team acknowledges that their success hinges on continued support from festivals and audiences who respond to the provocative questions the film raises about crime, motive, and the human capacity for evil.
In reflecting on the journey, Crespo emphasizes the value of international exposure and cross-cultural collaboration. The project showcases how a Spanish production can resonate with audiences beyond its national borders when paired with American settings and a universal theme: the mystery of a mind capable of crossing ethical lines. The ensemble’s commitment to authentic performances and careful storytelling remains at the heart of the film, offering a compelling look at how investigators navigate a case that refuses to fit any neat template.
Ultimately, the filmmakers hope the film stays with viewers long after the credits roll, inviting conversations about the nature of evil, the limits of criminology, and the ways people respond when faced with a challenge that tests the boundaries of law, science, and personal conscience.