Hop in and hold on as I take you around the world on another quest to fill in my Letterboxd Map! This week we go to Ecuador where we find a woman struggling to reintegrate into life with her family in… Lo Invisible (2021).
Title: Lo Invisible
Director Javier Andrade
Released: December 31, 2021 (Mexico)
Runtime: 1 hour 23 minutes
Available to stream on: Tubi
Luisa (Anahí Hoeneisen) has spent the last three months in a psychiatric clinic after being accused of trying to hurt her child. Upon her release, she returns home to the life of luxury that she left behind.
From assistants to maids and even an on-staff nanny, Luisa has everything taken care of for her. This allows Luisa to put on a front with those in her social circles, keeping her elite status intact. Though, if they could see inside Luisa, they’d see a whole different story.
She’s unable to bond with her newborn. In fact, it screams hysterically anytime Luisa holds it. It destroys her inside that a maid is able to so quickly put the baby at ease.
There’s also the fact that Luisa is all but invisible in her own home. There’s constant hustle and bustle as the staff takes care of all daily tasks. Despite this, Luisa can’t help but feel unseen and unnoticed, even by her own family members.
This all leads to one big question… was Luisa truly ready to be released from the psychiatric clinic?
Anahí Hoeneisen, who also co-wrote this, delivers an incredible performance as Luisa. There isn’t a whole lot of dialogue, but she doesn’t need it. She’s able to portray grief, detachment, and depression through some unsettling actions and expressions.
While the scenes of Luisa feeling like a fly-on-the-wall of her own life are incredibly effective, there isn’t much else there outside of a few interactions with her staff.
Unfortunately, the overall lack of dialogue leaves you wanting to know more. Something, anything, to feel connected to any of the characters, whether Lucia or someone in her life.
The overall pacing winds up hurting Lo Invisible (2021). You could trim this down to 70-75 minutes and not miss out on anything.
That being said, Lo Invisible (2021) is still definitely worth at least one viewing.
Well, now it’s your turn. Have you seen Lo Invisible (2021)?
If so, leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and tell me your thoughts on it!
Curious to see what else I’ve been watching lately? Give me a follow over on Letterboxd.