The Virgin of the Quarry Lake
2025 film
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The Virgin of the Quarry Lake[1] (Spanish: La virgen de la tosquera) is a 2025 supernatural coming-of-age horror film directed by Laura Casabé from a screenplay by Benjamín Naishtat based on two stories by Mariana Enríquez. It is an Argentine-Mexican-Spanish international co-production. The cast is led by Dolores Oliverio.
| The Virgin of the Quarry Lake | |
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| Spanish | La virgen de la tosquera |
| Directed by | Laura Casabé |
| Screenplay by | Benjamín Naishtat |
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| Cinematography | Diego Tenorio Hernández |
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Running time | 93 minutes |
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| Language | Spanish |
Plot
Set in 2001, against the backdrop of the deep economic crisis and protests in Argentina, the plot follows three teenagers (Natalia, Mariela, and Josefina) who become infatuated with the same boy, Diego. The situation takes a turn when Diego starts a relationship with older and more experienced Silvia and Natalia casts a spell against the couple with help from her grandmother Rita.[2][3][4][5]
Cast
Production
The film is based on the stories "El carrito" and "La virgen de la tosquera" by Mariana Enríquez,[3] both contained in the story collection The Dangers of Smoking in Bed.[7] It is an Argentine-Mexican-Spanish co-production by Mostra Cine, Ajimolido Films, Caponeto and Mr. Miyagi Films,[3] and obtained financing from the 2023 Ibermedia co-production fund.[5]
Casabé lamented the ongoing situation in Argentina vis-à-vis State film policies, claiming that filmmakers were "living under ideological persecution", with only international co-production with Mexico and Spain saving the project.[6]
Shooting locations included the Mendoza Province.[8]
Release
In May 2024, it was reported that Filmax had acquired international rights to the film.[3]
Selected in the film slate of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the film had its world premiere at the Egyptian Theatre on 27 January 2025.[9][10] It also made it to the Argentine competition strand of the 26th BAFICI, and to the programme of the 58th Sitges Film Festival.[11][12] Distributed by BF Paris, the film was scheduled to be released theatrically in Argentina on 30 October 2025.[13] During the film's Sitges presentation the Argentine theatrical release date was set for 15 January 2026.[14] It had about 84,999 admissions in the Argentine box office.[15] Filmax programmed a 23 January 2026 theatrical release in Spain.[16]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of 32 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.[17]
Chris Deacy of Journal of Religion & Film deemed the film to be a "beguiling and increasingly shocking interrogation of adolescent angst", otherwise displaying shades of Carrie and reminiscences of The Virgin Suicides.[18]
Martin Kudláč of Cineuropa described the film as venturing "into the darker zones of coming-of-age spiced up by the visceral impact associated with the New French Extremity".[19]
Chad Collins of Dread Central rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it a "an uncommonly frightening and tragic coming-of-age saga", displaying "bouts of violence" and "a sharp folkloric edge".[20]
Guy Lodge of Variety wrote that the film "captures a stretch of both national and individual turmoil".[21]
The Argentine Academy of Cinematography Arts and Sciences chose the film as the Argentine submission for the Goya Award for Best Ibero-American Film at the 41st Goya Awards.[22]
Accolades
| Award / Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitges Film Festival | 18 October 2025 | Best Cinematography | Diego Tenorio | Won | [23] |