Upiro Review (2026) Imagine Fantastic Film Fest
Vampires and the Catholic church go hand in hand, don't you think?
Based on the first case of vampirism according to the Catholic church, director Óscar Martín explores faith and folklore with his latest film, Upiro. Set in 1755 Spain, Ana is brought to a remote convent by her father. Along with other wayward girls who's families have paid for them to be there, Ana is affected by a blood disease that displays odd puncture marks on her body. When the priest, Father Rubis (Diego Anido) decides to investigate the strange happenings at the convent, he discovers that there must be a upyr within the convent and he is determined to unmask them.
Screenwriter, Elena Muñoz, plays around with quite a few themes in her script. So much so that it actually bogs down the storytelling, hindering the overarching message. But that doesn't take away from the piercing intentionality of how faith and religion has been a tool of manipulation for centuries. Everything is a coverup. The girls have to pay to be there and if they decide to commit to nun life, they must pay a dowry. When Father Rubis is adamant about contacting the authorities to help them rid the convent of the upyr, Mother Superior (Teresa del Olmo) refuses in fear of her business coming to an end. And when more secrets are revealed, the nuns are quick to bury the truth about what is happening within their walls.
The story may feel complex and confusing at times, but what stands out is the cinematography and visuals. Upiro is a stunning film from beginning to end. Martin captures the essence of the time period but also the heaviness of what is occurring inside the convent. There is no shortage of intense and haunting moments. And please don't go into this expecting some overly serious gothic period piece because it isn't that at all. It's horny, it's daring, and it's even got a really ugly creature.
Upiro reshapes the lore we've come to know and expect when it comes to vampires. Muñoz injects matriarchal ideas, female autonomy, the line between faith and science in this folklore exploration surrounding these bloodsucking creatures. While it does hinder the overall story, Martin still captures beautiful and creepy visuals that are only elevated by the score composed by Gary Moonboots. This is an atmospheric, period piece that dives into the ugliness of the Catholic church through the eyes of the women who have long been forgotten.