In Phenomena or Fenomenas, three middle-aged women research paranormal activity. They investigate a mysterious attack on their leader that threatens their lives as well. The Spanish horror-comedy film is now streaming on Netflix.

Plot summary

Gloria (Toni Acosta), Paz (Gracia Olayo) and Sagrario (Belén Rueda) are part of a popular paranormal research group that has functioned for years. They are led by Father Pilon.

One day, Father Pilon (Emilio Gutiérrez Caba) brings forward a case of strong paranormal activity at an antique store. He investigates alone as Gloria, the group’s psychic, says she’s ill.

He is attacked by a spirit and left in a critical condition. This spurs the three women, alongside their new physicist intern, Pablo, to figure out what exactly happened.

As they investigate the store, many puzzling details come to light, including the presence of an evil spirit that caused Father Pilon’s condition.

The group attempts to solve the case while trying to protect each other. The narrative is based on a true paranormal research faction called the Hepta Group.

Performances

Acosta, Olayo and Rueda are all decent as the leads of the film. Their characters aren’t to be taken too seriously, and those roles are sometimes the most difficult to play.

They are convincing in their portrayal, and make the characters likeable enough for you to root for them, even when the narrative isn’t the tightest.

Positives

The premise is intriguing. Introducing a group of women as paranormal activists who are already older and have already tackled numerous cases.

Their interpersonal dynamics are already established and you know from the start that they are experienced in the field, but with enough vagueness to keep things interesting.

Although inconsistent at times, the overall storyline is engaging enough for you to sit through the whole runtime to know how this ends.

Negatives

Phenomena neither scares you nor makes you laugh enough. It’s supposed to be a horror-comedy but doesn’t feel part of either genre.

There is not enough context around the characters. Father Pilon is shown to be in near-death condition but his fate isn’t clear throughout, and the conclusion is confusing.

Similarly, Pablo is introduced as an important character but he is nowhere to be seen after one point. The narrative does not appear consistent.