Tin and Tina (Tin&Tina) is a psychological horror film directed by Rubin Stein, who also serves as the screenwriter of the film. It’s based on a 2013 short film of the same name and stars Milena Smit and Jaime Lorente alongside Carlos González Morollón and Anastasia Russo. The film has a runtime of 120 minutes.
– No Spoilers –
Tin and Tina Review
Tin and Tina follow Lola and Adolfo, who, after suffering from a life-changing miscarriage, decide to adopt two children whose extreme religious upbringing starts to become a problem in their daily lives. As time goes on, things start to become outright dangerous for the couple, especially Lola, who is left traumatised by her children’s oddities.
Tin and Tina is one of those movies that is absolutely uncomfortable to watch, but from its first moment, it seems like a movie that we have watched before. Of course, it will remind you of old movies that have left a huge impact on cinema. It’s a little bit of Midsommar, Goodnight Mommy and The Shining and then some. But more than a horror, it’s a drama about relationships and the burden of motherhood on women.
Set in the 1980s in Spain, the movie is engrossing in some parts but is a bit too fantastical for it to be a gripping ride throughout. It’s the moments that truly ask her to understand Lola’s fears that stand out to us – we are left shocked and scared for her mental and physical well-being. The issues that she gets into every day are nothing short of horrible, and the fact that Adolfo is an absolutely horrible husband and father doesn’t help it.
Their interpersonal conflicts are what keep Tin and Tina moving forward. It’s a great film as a drama and sometimes even thrills you with some of its moments involving the twins. But, once again, the psychological thriller aspect of it just feels too much. It’s a bit comically evil at some points even, which just takes you out of the experience and makes the entire thing unbelievable.
However, it is clear that Stein put his heart and soul into his first feature-length film. It looks and feels great, and there definitely is an air of uncertainty and mystery in every frame. Regardless of whether the twins are there or not, you can’t help but feel tense and wonder whether they truly are the culprits. We never really get an answer because you will be left questioning the truth in the end, and thus it leaves you uncomfortable and confused. Plus, the background score is really good and gels so well with the subject matter.
Also Read: Citadel Episode 6 Review: What Was the Point of Everything?
Religion plays a big role in the movie, and politics is also mixed into it, but I didn’t see the impact of it till the end. Sure, religion is used as the mysterious boogeyman, but it’s not so much religion as it is two brainwashed kids and a frustrated wife and mother that are the main problems here. The film would’ve still been great without the Bible verses or the sporadic mentions of politics – it still would’ve had the same impact, but maybe two kids repeating Bible verses while choking you is more horrific.
Milena Smit and Jaime Lorente are great in the movie, as are Carlos González Morollón and Anastasia Russo as twins Tin and Tina. Smit, particularly, is splendid and brings out the anger, resentment, fear, frustration and happiness that her character goes through seamlessly. Her chemistry with Lorente is also quite natural and works well. Meanwhile, Morollón and Russo play the perfect creepy twins who might just take you back to The Shining.
Final Thoughts
Tin and Tina is a fine drama that makes us sympathise with Lola’s struggles and needs. However, it’s not really a psychological thriller and falls flat if you think you’re going to get scared in a supernatural way as well.
Tin and Tina is streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Silo Episode 5 Review: Murders, Menace and Mystery