The Red Virgin (2024) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
“The Red Virgin” (La Virgen Roja), directed by Paula Ortiz, is a gripping and aesthetically stunning film that delves into one of Spain’s most tragic and shocking historical events. Set in the 1930s during the Second Spanish Republic, the film revolves around Hildegart Rodríguez, a precocious young woman raised by her mother, Aurora Rodríguez, to be the perfect embodiment of the future woman—a revolutionary mind and a brilliant feminist. However, Hildegart’s tragic fate, which involves her mother in an unthinkable crime, makes this story one of the most haunting true crime dramas of recent years.
Plot Overview
The story of The Red Virgin is set against the political and social turmoil of 1930s Spain. Hildegart Rodríguez (played by Alba Planas) is a prodigy—a feminist and writer—who, from a young age, has been groomed by her mother Aurora (Najwa Nimri) to lead a life of intellectual brilliance. Aurora has meticulously controlled every aspect of her daughter’s life, from her education to her social interactions. Hildegart, in turn, became one of the most promising intellectuals of her generation, focusing on progressive topics such as female sexuality and gender equality.
However, the film takes a dark turn when Hildegart starts to assert her independence, both intellectually and emotionally. Her relationship with a young man named Fernando (Patrick Criado) further widens the emotional gap between mother and daughter. The growing conflict between Aurora’s desire to control Hildegart and Hildegart’s yearning for freedom leads to an irreversible tragedy.
Ortiz, known for her visually powerful storytelling, doesn’t shy away from the psychological intensity of this mother-daughter dynamic. The climax of the film, which embraces the true crime genre with brutal realism, leaves viewers reeling from the emotional devastation.
Visual and Cinematic Appeal
Paula Ortiz is celebrated for her meticulous attention to visual aesthetics, and The Red Virgin is no exception. The film is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures both the grandeur and intimacy of the characters’ world. Ortiz’s earlier films like Chrysalis and The Bride demonstrated her penchant for combining lush visual elements with emotional depth, and here, she masterfully utilizes costumes, locations, and lighting to evoke the period setting of 1930s Spain.
The intricate and period-accurate costume design, particularly the contrasting wardrobes of Hildegart and Aurora, symbolizes the generational and ideological clash between them. The warm, earthy tones of rural Spain are juxtaposed with the cold, sterile interiors of Aurora’s home, reflecting the suffocating atmosphere in which Hildegart is raised.
Ortiz’s use of symbolism is another standout feature in this film. Mirrors, books, and windows often serve as visual metaphors for the internal struggles of the characters, particularly Hildegart’s fight for freedom and Aurora’s obsession with control.
Performances
The performances in The Red Virgin are both powerful and nuanced. Alba Planas, as Hildegart, delivers a complex portrayal of a young woman torn between duty to her mother and her own desires for independence. Her transformation from a dutiful daughter to a rebellious intellectual is both heartbreaking and empowering.
Najwa Nimri, on the other hand, plays the obsessive and controlling Aurora with chilling intensity. While comparisons to earlier portrayals of the character in Fernando Fernán Gómez’s My Daughter Hildegart (1977) are inevitable, Nimri brings a more modern and psychologically complex take to the role. Her portrayal of Aurora is not merely that of a domineering mother, but also of a deeply broken woman consumed by her utopian ideals.
Themes and Psychological Depth
While The Red Virgin is, at its core, a true crime drama, it also explores deep psychological and philosophical themes. The film touches on feminism, political ideology, the struggle for individual freedom, and the dark side of maternal control. Aurora’s character is a reflection of the dangerous extremes of idealism—her belief that she can create the perfect revolutionary through her daughter ultimately leads to destruction.
Hildegart, on the other hand, represents the voice of a new generation, struggling to break free from the rigid constraints of tradition and societal expectations. Her quest for autonomy and self-expression mirrors the broader feminist struggle for gender equality during that time. The mother-daughter relationship, central to the film, is a poignant exploration of love, control, and the destructive consequences of suppressing individuality.
Streaming and Availability
Currently, The Red Virgin is not available for streaming on major platforms in the United States. However, for those eager to watch this captivating film, you can check its availability on platforms like JustWatch, which tracks streaming services and rental options. While American audiences may have to wait a bit longer for it to hit popular streaming services, it is expected that platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ will eventually offer the film for rental or purchase.
In the meantime, those interested can explore Ortiz’s other films, such as The Bride (La Novia), which shares her signature visual style and emotional depth.
Where to Watch Online
As of now, The Red Virgin is not available on widely-known U.S. streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. For up-to-date streaming options, you can check its availability on JustWatch, a reliable platform for tracking where films are available to stream, rent, or purchase. The film is expected to be distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, so keep an eye on Amazon Prime Video for future availability.
Conclusion
The Red Virgin is an evocative, visually striking film that brings a forgotten piece of Spanish history back to life with emotional intensity and historical detail. While the film doesn’t match the intimacy of earlier adaptations of the story, it offers a fresh and visually stunning take on the complex relationship between Hildegart Rodríguez and her mother Aurora. For fans of true crime dramas and historical films, The Red Virgin is a must-watch once it becomes available on streaming platforms in the U.S.
