SWEET VIOLENCE

****

Directed by Jeremias Segovia. 

Starring Esteban Bigliardi, Javier Chavez, Eduardo Miglionico, Mirella Pascual. 

Uruguay, 2026, 93 mins

Reviewed as part of Tubi FrightFest 2026

The intense feature film debut of Jeremias Segovia – written by Juan Martin Alonso – opens as it means to go on: a quiet, uneasy daylight sequence by the river involves a small boy and an imposing older man with a switchblade, casually disposing of his gun. Cut to a friendly card game in which conversation turns to the godfather of a murdered girl and his plans (involving the Dark Web) to kill the perpetrator. The convicted killer is Esteban Bigliardi, freshly released from jail and attempting to lead a normal life by getting a job in a kitchen and a dog named Sandra, while bereaved families plan his demise.

This is an intense but surprisingly funny film in which the themes of enduring grief and an overwhelming desire for vengeance are balanced by beautifully underplayed humour: there are amusing scenes of middle-aged men falling asleep during vital conversations or debating whether or not a hit woman would be cheaper to hire, plus a running gag about the cost of living in modern Uruguay. 

Segovia seamlessly balances the wit with powerful quiet moments (Bigliardi returns home to discover the sad fate of his Dad after his conviction) and a truly gruelling climactic torture sequence. The performances, largely understated, are superb and impactful use is made of Carter Burwell’s superb score from the Coens’ FARGO – even if its presence inevitably and distractingly reminds us of the earlier film.

Steven West