What Happens When Innocence Meets Exploitation?

Read Time:5 Minute, 9 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Message (El mensaje)
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Genre: Fantasy
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 31m
Director(s): Iván Fund
Writer(s): Martín Felipe Castagnet, Iván Fund
Cast: Mara Bestelli, Marcelo Subiotto, Anika Bootz, Betania Cappato
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Every so often, a film comes along that feels like a whisper in the wind—subtle, powerful, and impossible to ignore. THE MESSAGE doesn’t rely on grand spectacle or high-stakes drama but thrives in quiet spaces where emotion and meaning simmer beneath the surface. It’s a story about innocence meeting the harsh realities of the world, a road trip-style movie in which the journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about the destination.

At the center of this poetic tale is Anika, a young girl with an extraordinary gift: the ability to communicate with animals. She might be celebrated in another story as a phenomenon, but her abilities become a commodity here. Her guardians, Myriam and Roger, see and take an opportunity to set up a traveling business where Anika acts as a medium for pet owners eager to reconnect with their beloved animals.

Instead of treating the supernatural as a spectacle, the film integrates it into everyday life. It never leans too hard into fantasy, which makes it all the more effective. The influence of magical realism is clear, but it’s not presented with the kind of showmanship some might expect. Instead, the film lets the mystical aspects breathe, making them feel like an extension of reality rather than an escape from it. This is a world where the impossible doesn’t beg for attention—it just exists.

Despite her age, Anika seems to grasp the weight of what’s happening. Her interactions with humans and animals are filled with an intelligence that far surpasses the adults in her life. The story is as much about her realization of the world's complexities as it is about those who attempt to define her place within it.

Anika Bootz delivers an incredibly grounded performance, making the character feel real in a way that avoids the usual over-exaggeration sometimes seen in child roles. Something effortlessly compelling about her presence is that she doesn’t need big emotional outbursts to make you feel the weight of her situation. The chemistry she shares with Mara Bestelli and Marcelo Subiotto, playing Myriam and Roger, gives the film moral complexity. They aren’t painted as outright villains, but their actions constantly blur the line between care and exploitation, forcing the audience to consider the true nature of their motivations.

The film's cinematography embraces the natural beauty of Argentina’s countryside, making the landscapes feel vast and intimate. The wide-open rural spaces contrast beautifully with the film’s more personal, close-up moments, reinforcing the characters' emotional isolation.

Communication, or the lack thereof, lies at the film's heart. While Anika’s conversations with animals are the most obvious example, the real core moments come from the human characters' fractured communication. The story highlights the disconnect between people who should understand each other best and how unspoken words shape relationships. In this way, the film becomes just as much about the limitations of human connection as it is about the mystical bond between Anika and the animals.

I wish we could have seen a deeper exploration of Anika’s mother, Eloísa. Hints of her past and her connection to Anika’s abilities are sprinkled throughout, but they never fully come into focus. Had her story been given more weight, it could have added another aspect to the film’s themes of inheritance, fate, and the burdens of extraordinary gifts.

Some viewers might find the film’s pacing problematic. Certain moments linger while the film moves deliberately, almost meditatively. While some scenes are captivating, they could have benefited from a slightly tighter edit to maintain momentum. Mauro Mourelos’ score gives the film a melancholic yet hopeful tone. It’s the soundtrack that doesn’t demand attention but enhances every moment.

Iván Fund’s direction is subtle but effective. He allows the film to carve out its unique identity, just a filmmaker fully in control of his vision. This is a deeply personal project that shines through in every frame.

THE MESSAGE is the kind of film that lingers with its audience. It asks its viewers to consider the thin line between belief, reality and fantasy, connection and loneliness. While some areas could have been explored further, the film’s performances and thoughtful storytelling make it a compelling experience. It’s not just about a girl who can talk to animals—it’s about the unseen forces that shape our lives and choices and the quiet truths that sometimes speak louder.

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[photo courtesy of RITA CINE, INSOMNIA FILMS, AMORE CINE, BLURR STORIES, PANES 360 CONTENIDOS, ANIMISTA CINE, LUXBOX]

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