attic monster in [REC] movie

Bad news or good news first? How about getting that bad news out of the way…

So far, I can find no evidence of the equally amazing and nightmarish actor Javier Botet (as the Medieros Girl, AKA Nina Medieros, AKA the “Attic Monster”. Yes, we know that the monster was, um, how should I put this to avoid spoilers, sort of “written out” at the end of [REC]2. Interesting trivia: Botet originally (and reluctantly) told the film-makers he would have to take a pass and not participate in [REC] 2 due to health issues in connection with the location of the shoot, but the film-makers basically worked around that, and even moved the shooting location to one more comfortable for him …because let’s face it, no-one can replace Javier Botet in this role. Anyway, though, he had a cameo in [REC]3, where it was revealed that anyone who is possessed by the virus appears as the Medieros girl in any reflective surface. This was with the lights on and it still made my hair stand on end. I’d even settle for a cameo like that. However, this final installment in the series is still in production, so it still could happen (or they could be saving it for a reveal).

Ya THINK?

Good news: it looks like R4A will be released before the end of the year! Also, it will consist of a standard filming style rather than “found footage”. Not that [REC] doesn’t do found footage perfectly*, but it was interesting to see an ordinary narrative used it most of [REC]3 (and it worked, though it was hard to get used to initially). Here’s the trailer, and from what you’ll see, this film has very little danger of being boring… or bloodless.

Description:

The young reporter Ángela is rescued from the building and taken to an oil tanker to be examined. However, it is unbeknown to the soldiers that she carries the seed of the mysterious demonic virus.

Release Date: 2014
Director: Jaume Balagueró
Cast: Manuela Velasco, Héctor Colomé, María Alfonsa Rosso
Genre: Horror, Drama
Country: Spain

Oh, and if you’re a fan of the series, or see found-footage horror on a regular basis, don’t miss Horror Boom’s new Found-Footage Drinking Game right here! {REC} gets brought up quite a few times as found-footage done right.

*to this day {REC} remains on our Top Ten Scariest Movies of All Time list, and that ain’t no easy task.

On the second [REC 2], I had just a few scratches. I didn’t have a real hammer. When I have a real hammer, no one comes near me.

-Javier Botet, on swinging a hammer around in the dark on a movie set

We’re still having trouble digging up a more recent interview with the man behind the monster mother in “Mama” and the [REC] series, so until then, Shock Till You Drop put up a great one you can check out, written by Ryan Turek.

HOWEVER! If you haven’t seen [REC] and [REC 2], you really, really should see them and then read this. There’s not a ton of spoilers for REC 2, but… oh, just see them, unless you don’t like extremely frightening movies. Either way, just avoid Quarantine like, pardon the phrasing, the plague. We love Botet’s comments on the U.S. remake and agree 100% with everything he says– the same reasons Quarantine pissed us off. OK, you get the idea. To read the interview, click on the big red link below…

Exclusive Interview: Rec & Rec 2’s Javier Botet – Shock Till You Drop.

According to the interview, he was offered to reprise his role in the U.S. remake, though it would be “The Thin Infected Man” instead of “La Niña De Medieros”. The timing didn’t work out and the part went to Doug Jones instead. Talented as Jones is, no-one else could be as effective in the role …not even close. We saw Quarantine in the theater and watched [REC] at home on TV, in the daytime, and STILL had to open the curtains and turn the lights on halfway through. It’s not just Botet (though the movie would not be as memorable and nightmarish without him, and he’s a great, perfect show-stopper), the entire movie [REC] is fucking terrifying; by the time it roars to the end credits, you’ll probably be hugging your knees.

Enjoy the interview! The below is one of two BTS set photos we like to look at to lighten us up when we start to think about [REC] too close to bedtime…