After the fiasco that was U-Turn, I was looking for a palette cleanser and happened to remember a friend mention that there was a good Spanish flick on Netflix. It was Mirage (Durante la Tormenta) starring Money Heist’s Alvaro Morte, Adriana Ugarte and Chino Darin. I must say that I was impressed by this unexpected take on parallel realities. It really had a lot of meat to it.

Synopsis: In 1989, a 72-hour electrical storm occurs. At the same time, a young boy named Nico witnesses the murder of his neighbor. Unfortunately, he dies after being struck by a passing delivery truck. Twenty five years later, another electrical storm happens and a new family has moved into Nico’s old house. Vera (Adrianna Ugarte), her husband David (Alvaro Morte) and their daughter Gloria find and watch a tape that Nico filmed on the night of his death. Strangely, Vera is able to connect to Nico as they play the videotape at the exact same time 25 years apart and she is able to save the boy’s life. When she wakes up, she is in a different reality with no husband or child, with only an inspector (Chino Darin) aiding her quest to return home to her old life.

There have been plenty of films that tackle altered realities, time travel and even communication with the past. They’re pretty interesting especially because there are a lot of theories that have been floated surrounding these ideas. Mirage explores these concepts but presents them in a way that makes sense.

I liked that there was a very solid plot amid all the talk of parallel universes and alternate realities. There was a genuine connection that was built between Nico and Vera, even though they technically only met once. I liked the fact that their new realities were being told at the same time so audiences can keep track of what was happening in 1989 and in the future.

I was impressed by how the stories among the characters were interconnected. All of the crumbs that were being left at the beginning of the movie, like why Clara dreaded the night of the storm, the backstory behind Itor and Vera and the secrets that David was keeping — the film made sure that these were all answered by the end. Of course, there was also a bonus reveal about what actually happened to little Nico (which I was proud to figure out early on) and it was great how it was finally introduced into the story.

Kudos to the writing, the direction by Oriol Paulo and the casting for this movie. Everything was well thought out from the planning to the execution. And just when you thought things were over, there’s a little additional detail towards the end that will make everything come full circle.

All in all, Mirage was a well thought out story that had many layers. It had a complex plot but it was simplified in a way that helped the audiences understand what was going on unlike some films that thrive on the confusion of the viewers. There were rootable characters whose motivations were clear from the beginning. As such, it delivered a satisfying conclusion to a story that spanned 25 years to complete .