Little Pig: A Contemporary Spanish Horror That Breaks Boundaries
Seven or eight years ago, the idea took root to write and film something centered on Carlota Pereda. A royal horror vision formed after watching Bong Joon-ho’s masterful thriller about the first Korean serial killer, a story that suggested a head cut into a thousand pieces. The question then became: how can two ideas merge into one? One summer, a young woman repeatedly noticed at the town pool inspired the germ of the film. The concept of “Little Pig” came to mind while reading about the motives behind such crimes and perhaps Lovecraft’s influence as well, according to the director. The project began as an award-winning short and has grown into a feature that now stands as a striking entry in Spanish horror cinema: a brutal meditation on what happens when someone who is different is harassed. Blood, revenge, and dark humor weave through the tale of a small-town girl facing cruelty at the hands of bullies.
The film premiered at Sitges, screening out of competition as the buzz built steadily. It was the sole Spanish entry among the films shown in the festival’s final days, and it soon earned a Best Horror Film reference at the Fantastic Fest in Austin. Earlier, the short film bearing the same name and featuring a different cast had come out in 2018. The team expressed gratitude and excitement for the journey, noting the fun that comes with creating moments that resonate. Laura Galán stands out as a compelling lead in both the short and the feature, delivering a performance that anchors the story.
Little Pig is exceptional in many regards. The plot follows Sara, a young woman who endures harassment tied to her body weight. Her life takes a drastic turn when a mysterious man arrives in town and targets her tormentors. Will a sense of mercy win out, or will the tale descend into vengeance at the hands of a ruthless killer? Genre cinema often embraces the brutal clarity of a psycho-killer narrative and sharp violence, yet this film infuses a strong political and feminist perspective. It challenges gender norms and the traditional horror setup, moving beyond Extremadura’s familiar landscape to elevate a local story to universal relevance. Most notably, it questions the “final girl” trope and the way women are poised against male aggression in the climactic confrontation.
Non-normative bodies and the conversation around beauty
Some audiences were surprised and even applauded for Sara stepping out in a bikini, showing her body openly. The question arose: how brave is that choice? Critics pointed out the double standard when similar displays appear in advertising or other media. The filmmakers push back, arguing for a reflection on why non-normative bodies provoke discomfort in some viewers. The lead actress is portrayed with confidence, and the cast emphasizes the broader message: the film challenges prejudices and invites dialogue about body image and social norms.
The filmmaker is known for a prolific career in television and cinema, with a deep love for genre storytelling. References to the stylistic influences of Bong Joon-ho, Aleksandr Sokurov, Claire Denis, and a taste for unconventional and boundary-pushing cinema surface in interviews. The film and its creators are part of a growing movement where the female gaze in genre cinema is expanding and becoming more provocative, something not always reflected in their own country. Today, the project stands as a rare and celebrated achievement within the national context.
Genre filmmakers in Spain
The discourse around why more women are creating genre films remains nuanced. There are several reasons proposed for the slower transition from short films to feature-length projects, including funding demands and the dynamics of the industry. Yet many women are producing strong genre work in short form, and the hope is that more opportunities will open for feature-length ventures. The achievement of Carlota Pereda is seen as a milestone that could encourage broader participation from women in Spanish horror, inviting enthusiasm and, yes, a little fear. The conversation continues as audiences react to the adrenaline and fear that the film uniquely delivers, often leaving a lasting impression well after the credits roll.