UnowPriceless hyped garbage

Steineded How sad is this?

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

rivethead808 It's a shame that such fantastic cinema goes to waste; not only because it got overrun by huge blockbusters, but in this case, as with almost every single non-English-language film, it gets doubly ignored due to peoples' seeming allergy to reading subtitles. Palabras Encadenadas, which technically translates to "word chains" in Spanish, gets the US title Killing Words, because, not only would the original title hold less meaning to an American audience, but a title with the word "killing" in it gives it, potentially, much more power, than what sounds like a kid's game. But that is exactly the sinister charm that this film pulls off beautifully. Ramón, played by Dario Grandinetti (Habla con Ella), appears to be a decently charming man who just so happens to be experimenting, all the while showing the audience step-by-step, with his first "adventures" in becoming a serial killer. Word Chains, is indeed, a child's game, but when conducted by Ramón, the stakes only become increasingly fiendish and inescapable as time goes on. The first thing we see as the audience, is Ramón's character speaking directly to us (i.e. seeming to break the 4th wall), but as the camera pans out, it is revealed that we are watching Ramón watch a video recording which he recorded of himself confessing/conferring with/to his potential audience about his burgeoning "talents" as a killer. He openly brags about how easy it has been to gain a potential victim's trust, and exactly how he has conducted these first few murders. Once he has what he feels is enough confidence in his newfound skills, he sets out to target the one person he would love to torture and kill most of all: his ex-wife. Psychologists, such as Wayne Wilson, would say that certain serial killers, like Edmund Kemper (aka the Co-Ed Killer) keep killing their victims – sometimes unwittingly – as substitutes for their ultimate target. It seems that we are witnessing the birth of that very kind of serial killer in the character of Ramón.The ex-wife, Laura, played exquisitely by Goya Toledo (Amores Perros), is then subjected to intense psychological torture by Ramón as he keeps her tied down to chair, and insists that she play word chains with him. Slight disclaimer: the words they say as part of the game aren't necessarily what is said in Spanish – obviously, everything that rhymes in one language isn't going to rhyme in another. So, please bear that in mind if you are coming into this film with absolutely no knowledge of Spanish. The subtitles, however, are done in such a way that capture the essence and nuances of the specific words they are using. As Ramón gleefully keeps his ex-wife prisoner, he rants and boasts of his newfound "hobby". Laura, being a psychologist, desperately tries to find cracks in his statements. Is Ramón actually a cold-blooded killer willing to torture and kill his own ex-wife? Or is he just lonely, delusional, and scared, crying out to be noticed by his former love abandoning him?

Crap_Connoisseur Killing Words should be retitled "Killing Time" because that is exactly what I felt was happening while I watched this film. Killing Words is by no means a complete disaster; it is competently made and showcases some fine acting performances. The problem is simply that this is a thriller without any thrills.The basic premise of Killing Words involves a serial killer, Ramon, kidnapping his ex-wife with the intention of making her his 19th victim. The catch is that Laura is a psychiatrist and basically, if she can "cure" him, she will survive. This set-up begins promisingly with Ramon showing Laura detailed video-confessions outlining his murders and a tense word game, played for the prize of Laura being allowed to keep her eyes in her head. The film starts to unravel, however, when Ramon claims to both the police and Laura that the tapes were fake and that the whole act has been a hoax to get revenge on Laura for lying about him during their divorce proceedings. While this "twist" is interesting to the extent that it raises the question as to whether Ramon is simply a twisted loser instead of a psychopath, it has the unwanted effect of draining away all the tension and suspense that the film had been building. In one fell swoop, this film transforms from a Spanish "Silence Of The Lambs" to a poorly produced episode of "Murder, She Wrote".The film is not helped by Dario Grandinetti's over the top performance as Ramon. Grandinetti's performance is initially restrained but increasingly becomes an exercise in making crazy eyes and smirking for the camera. Goya Toledo fares better as Laura, helping give the film some much needed credibility. Veteran actor Fernando Guillen also turns in another fine performance as the Comisario. However, these compelling performances can not overcome the pedestrian screenplay which contains too many plot twists and not enough suspense. With the exception of the refreshingly perverse ending, the film has virtually no shock value and should be avoided by horror fans.Killing Words is an example of a film that starts well but becomes entangled in its own web of twists and inconsistencies. If you feel like a Spanish thriller with some bite, watch "The Nameless" or "Tesis".

Kujo1 One of the best thrillers I have ever seen. This film keeps you captivated until the very last frame. Darío Grandinetti is truly chilling as Ramón. Goya Toledo as Laura is superb as well. Portrayals of the mind of a killer simply don't get better than this. This film avoids every Hollywood cliché you could imagine. Everything that happens in this film is cohesive. Nothing outrageous is added just for thrills. This is such a smart film. Truly great writing and directing on display here. This is another amazing example of how superior foreign made thrillers are compared to American thrillers. Don't miss this if you ever get the chance to see this Spanish gem. Beautifully done!

cocoshell If you get a chance make sure to pick up this small gem from a Spanish actress turned director Laura Mana. This movie is rather obscure and not that well known over here in America as some other titles made in Spain so it might take some time and luck to find it. But once you do, get ready for one of the best thrillers of the last couple of years. This is an example of great film making, a flick made with a low budget and only small number of actors. But oh boy, some fine ones. That especially goes to Dario Grandinetti in a role of a serial killer suspect. The only thing he admits of doing is an abduction of his ex-wife, as revenge of her lies in their divorce case...Is there any more to it? The game of cat and mouse has begun. Not to spoil the fun and give away too much all I'll say is : don't point your finger until the very end. In difference to the majority of newer US thrillers the script is superb without any plot holes and the story is sharp and witty. Mana treats the audience as people who know how to think, rather than serving every single little detail on a plate. Everything is there, you just have to find it. Original, intelligent, twisted and somber, even funny at moments - this is a film that has it all and I can only hope it will not get a Hollywood remake, Palabras Encadenas is perfect as it is. Believe me in that :)