Behind the Blurred Lines of Social Critique: Identifying the Living Dead in Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s [•Rec] Trilogy

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to establish the relationship, within the theoretical/critical framework of postmodernism, between the [•Rec] horror movies and the social/historical context to which they belong. The intention in doing so is to show the importance and/or relevance of the commentary that appears in said films as it pertains to contemporary Spanish society. By establishing topics like the domineering power that the Catholic Church assumes within Spain, it becomes apparent in understanding the motives of why the directors chose to cover such topics as homophobia, xenophobia and racism. A closer look at the films reveals that the elements of the polemic topics remain largely the same within contemporary Spanish society as well. Upon closer examination of these topics, the relevance of how they are portrayed in the [•Rec] films becomes essential to understanding their importance both within this study, as well as within modern-day Spain.