Que Dios nos perdone [May God Save Us]

Que Dios nos perdone [May God Save Us] is a 2016 Spanish crime thriller directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. The film is set in Madrid during the summer of 2011, as the city prepares for Pope Benedict XVI's visit. Antonio de la Torre, Roberto Alamo, and Javier Pereira play the main characters in the story that revolves around a series of murders committed by a violent and sadistic serial killer.

The movie opens with a police chase of a suspect who is throwing himself off a rooftop. The film then cuts to the two main characters, detectives Luis Velarde (Antonio de la Torre) and Javier Alfaro (Roberto Alamo), who are called to investigate a series of murders of elderly women, committed by a killer who leaves no clues behind. Velarde and Alfaro are two completely different characters, with Velarde being a cynical, jaded, and emotionally distant loner while Alfaro is a young, enthusiastic, and dedicated family man.

The detectives' uneasy partnership starts to uncover a tangled web of leads as the case progresses, including one that involves a con artist who scams elderly women in their homes, and another that implicates the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the city is preparing for the Pope's visit and protests and riots break out all over town. The killer escalates his attacks on the elderly, and Velarde and Alfaro intensify their search for him.

As the story unfolds, Velarde and Alfaro become more determined to catch the killer, putting their own lives at risk. The film builds tension and suspense, as the detectives follow leads and interview suspects, all while trying to piece together the killer's methods and motive. With each new development, the detectives become closer to solving the case, but it also brings them closer to the edge of their own sanity.

The cinematography of the movie is outstanding, with the director successfully capturing the sense of a city on edge, with bands of protesters venting their anger. The visuals are grim, portraying the dark and seedy side of Madrid that is rarely shown in cinema. However, it succeeds in portraying the contrast between the vibrant and colorful city and the dark underbelly behind it.

The acting of the lead actors, Antonio de la Torre, Roberto Alamo, and Javier Pereira, is top-notch, particularly de la Torre's portrayal of a veteran detective who is struggling with his own demons while trying to solve the case. Roberto Alamo also stands out and delivers a convincing performance as a younger and emotional partner trying to solve the case.

Overall, Que Dios nos perdone [May God Save Us] is a gritty and realistic thriller filled with tension and suspense. The characters are well developed, and the film manages to convey a realistic and compelling portrayal of police work. The ending is satisfying and leaves no loose ends, without pandering to convention. Anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller will find this a compelling and captivating movie.