A couple is driving to their friends’ house to attend a gathering. They have not seen each other in a long time for reasons unknown to the viewers. As a matter of fact, they don’t look like they want to go there. Once they show up, the atmosphere becomes more and more tense. This feeling is fueled by the presence of strange guests that nobody knows, the suspicious behaviours of some of the attendees, a tragic past that the viewers have yet to discover and the sensation that something unhealthy is lurking behind this reunion. The viewing of a tape will lead certain guests to suspect that the hosts have fallen into the hands of a cult. And they are scared. Yet, the kindness of the hosts seems above all doubts, at least, until someone dares to contradict them…

After three uneven movies, film director Karyn Kusama – that has mostly dedicated herself to genre films and commercial productions until now – shot this little gem that virtually takes place in a single setting, playing its cards right with the buildup of a very accomplished minimalist, unhealthy tension. This mysterious thriller, well-executed and carried by strong performances, attracted the public’s attention at festivals like Austin, Toronto, London and, finally, Sitges, where it won the award for Best Movie. Soon distributed in Spain by La Aventura, Americana offers its audience the chance to see a movie that will certainly be much talked about after its release in theaters. Hold on to your seat (and to your partner’s arm): high-tension guaranteed!

Sitges Film Festival 2015: Best Motion Picture
SXSW Film Festival 2015
Busan International Film Festival 2015