The Evil That Men Do

The Evil That Men Do is a 2015 independent Spanish film directed by Ramon Térmens and co-written by Térmens and Daniel Faraldo, who also stars in the film. With a runtime of about 94 minutes, this dramatic thriller hooks the audience by its expertly crafted suspense and moral quandaries. The movie also features performances by Andrew Tarbet and Sergio Peris-Mencheta, who contribute skillfully to the overall intensity and power of the narrative.

Set in a desolate and barren desert landscape, The Evil That Men Do paints a bleak picture, immersed in tension and sense of impending doom. This setting provides a gloomy backdrop for a dark and harrowing story. The lives of two ruthless men, Santiago (Daniel Faraldo) and Pedro (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), are brought into focus. They live far from the madding crowd, dedicated to the singular mission of handling the "dirty work" for a sinister crime syndicate.

In this unforgiving landscape, Santiago and Pedro become the embodiment of remorseless brutality, carrying out their tasks with cold-blooded efficiency. Andrew Tarbet, playing the character of a naive American businessman, Lester, finds himself entangled in this sinister underworld. Lester arrives at their corner of the world under the guise of a passive bystander, which raises multifold questions about his identity and his role in this grim tale. His interaction with Santiago and Pedro significantly influence the pace and the narrative of the story.

The film navigates the gray areas of morality as it subtly explores the motivations behind the characters’ choices. The Evil That Men Do doesn't shy away from portraying the ugly and violent realities of its world but does so thoughtfully, provoking questions about good, evil, and everything in-between. Through each encounter and conversation, the tension escalates, leading the audience on an engaging rollercoaster of suspense and dread.

Faraldo puts forth a compelling performance as Santiago, convincingly embodying a man shaped by violence and necessity. His dynamic with Peris-Mencheta, playing the co-assassin Pedro, is engaging and tense. Peris-Mencheta's portrayal of Pedro balances brutality and vulnerability, demonstrating the actor's range. Tarbet's portrayal of Lester, the outsider to this harsh world, equally contributes to the storytelling with his performance, adding layers to the narrative.

One cannot review The Evil That Men Do without mentioning its stylistic approach. The director Ramon Térmens skillfully employs the harsh desert backdrop and the lack of bustling city scenes to make the characters' desolation and their moral dilemmas even more palpable. The cinematography is stark and uncompromising, with a color palette dominated by the bleak beige of the sand and the relentless brightness of the desert sun. This visual language significantly resonates with the film's narrative and messaging, enhancing the viewer's experience.

The film also benefits from its well-rounded script, co-written by Térmens and Faraldo. The screenplay is sparse, gritty, and evocative, amplifying the movie's atmospheric approach. The dialogues are thought-provoking, succinctly adding depths and nuances to the characters, and drawing the viewers into contemplation of themes of violence, survival, and morality.

The Evil That Men Do has its own pacing, sometimes feeling slow, but this deliberate stride does not diminish the suspense in the least. On the contrary, it helps in establishing the film's tense atmosphere and the impending feeling of dread. The movie builds slowly towards its climax, pulling viewers into its uncompromising world and leading them into a descent that is both captivating and horrifying.

To put it succinctly, The Evil That Men Do is a potent exploration of violence, morality, and survival, that does not shy away from confronting difficult questions. With a backdrop of an unyielding desert and characters that embody the most brutal aspects of human nature, this movie is a gripping thriller. It's a visual and thematic journey that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The raw performances, hard-hitting narrative, and thought-provoking themes make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.