The Diary Review: Thrilling, Horrifying and Thoroughly Entertaining

In this Prime Video thriller film, Olga and her daughter Vera move to a new city and a new home after her divorce where she finds a mysterious diary in her attic. Confused at first, she soon realises that it’s the diary of a killer that is being rewritten constantly, putting her life and those of others around her at risk. Taking the help of her daughter’s councillor, Carlos, she tries to find a way to figure out her connection with this mysterious diary before things are too late.

The film, written by Emma Bertrán and Pamela Pons, has a runtime of 72 minutes.

The Diary Review

Even before the spooky stuff starts happening in Prime Video original film The Diary, one can feel the underlying tension in the family comprising of divorced parents Olga and Victor along with their daughter Vera. The latter seems like a troubled child with some underlying issue that become the least important issue in the face of a murderer’s diary popping up in Olga’s attic without explanation. Olga, thankfully, quickly employs the help of Carlos to sort through this mess and the film goes off into murky territories from here on out.

The way the creators have merged the family drama with the supernatural aspects of The Diary is nothing short of thrilling. The film does a great job of making us squirm as it trickles the information out for us to mull over, going from one insane revelation to another. The central mystery is surrounding Olga and her relationship with Vera, with the latter playing a very important part in making us believe in everything that is taking place in the film. Throughout the rutnime, the film maintains a stunning atmosphere and the vibes are dark and dreary. You kind of understand where the film is going but when it finally does hit you with everything, it’s becomes a race against time to stop the inevitable.

The film hinges on us believing in Olga and Vera’s dynamic and Olga’s absolute desperation to save her daughter. This is one of the key aspects of the film, a mother’s love of her child and how far she will go to save them from disastrous situations. Olga’s character does almost everything right and there are very few moments in which you will be frustrated with her. With her daughter on the line, it’s clear that she slowly spirals but still manages to keep her wits about her – making us root for her fiercely.

Thus, even though we know the future, we want her to stop it at all costs. The Diary does a good job here with introducing the supernatural aspects and it’s used quite well. There are a few goofy moments but it’s mostly thrilling and is presented believably. There are no jumpscares or ghosts coming out to boo you, just the consequences of our actions coming out to haunt us. Tight and well-acted, the race against time and the creepiness and inevitability of the situation will keep you horrified till the last moment.

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Kudos, thus, must be given to young actress Isabella Arroyo who is extremely creepy as little Vera. You know something is up with this girl the moment the film starts but the unravelling of the storyline makes her job more demanding and Arroyo delivers on the performance. She is very believable as the unempathetic Vera and gives us enough to shoot a shiver down our spine. On the other hand, Irene Azuela, as Olga, is also fantastic and her slow unravelling as a desperate mother who can’t stop what is fated is deliciously disturbing to watch.

Final Thoughts

The Diary is a thoroughly enjoyable watch that will leave you hooked throughout the runtime. I enjoyed the family dynamics that slowly unravel in the most insane way possible, ending on a thrilling note. The performances are great as well and stick with you long after the film is over.

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