Rent H6: Diary of a Serial Killer (2005)

Sometimes less is more. - H6: Diary of a Serial Killer review by NP

This Spanish horror does exactly as it says on the tin. Featuring the bizarre and bloody activities of serial killer Antonio Frau (Fernando Acaso), released after 25 years in prison, he rids the world of the prostitutes he clearly feels need ‘cleansing’.

The failures of the leniency of the judicial system are explored and exploited here. Why the police don’t swoop on Frau the moment the killings begin is a bit of a mystery, but he’s living a respectably double life, seemingly as a cover. The ending comes as a slight disappointment after the terrors of the 95 minutes running time.

Other than that, this is a very well played, stylishly directed and compelling film. The acting is terrific, with some particularly enthusiastic torture scenes – we don’t actually see any graphic cutting or slicing, but we see the reactions to it, which might even be more disturbing; sometimes less is more. There’s a nice cameo from veteran actor Antonio Mayans too; it would have been nice to have seen more from him.

The setting is also a big part of why the film is so effective. Run down and evocatively filmed – lots of seedy greens and yellows – and frequently spattered with a lot of blood. My score is 7 out of 10.