The Shadow on Set: A Critical Look at 'The Beloved' Rodrigo Sorogoyen's "The Beloved" is a film about filmmaking that also serves as a scathing critique of the toxic culture behind the scenes.
At its core, the movie tells the story of Esteban Martínez, a fictional filmmaker with a dark past and a penchant for manipulation, as he attempts to redeem himself by directing his estranged daughter in a period drama set in the Spanish Sahara.
The film is a tense portrayal of the malaise that can grip a production. Director Sorogoyen masterfully ratchets up the tension, often withholding key information until the very end.