Mixing political satire, family drama, dark comedy, and moments of graphic violence, Pablo Larraín’sEl Condeis one of the more unique Netflix Originals to land on the platform. Jaime Vadell plays the titular El Conde, based on the real-life figure Augusto Pinochet, a dictator who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. In the movie, Augusto is portrayed as a 250-year-old vampire, spending his last years in seclusion.
Winner of the Golden Osella for best screenplay at the Venice Film Festival and nominated for best film (Golden Lion), the Spanish movie’s abstract way of approaching a dark period of history has won praise from critics and audiences alike. To celebrate the film coming to Netflix, we will look at the best moments fromEl Conde, ranked up to our top pick.
10Bloody Origins
The opening ofEl Condedoes an exemplary job of establishing the lore leading up to the current situation the disgraced dictator finds himself in. While a few notable scenes are discussed through a mysterious narrator who presents the backstory, recounting Augusto Pinochet’sfirst realization that he is a vampireis an unforgettable bloody affair.
Awakening after a night of debauchery, which also resulted in him attacking and killing a civilian by chomping down on him, Augusto finds he is surrounded by women and a priest looking to put an end to him. He fights back with a stake to his chest, seemingly just learning how brutal his newfound body is as he goes into overkill mode. For fans drawn to the film because of its horror elements, this is a perfect, blood-soaked introduction toEl Conde.
9En Français
Hiring an account to help sort Augusto’s affairs to be distributed among his family, the woman who arrives instantly catches the eye of the disgraced dictator throughher affluent French. This is just one of the many moments in the production where the dialogue flows in a way that draws viewers in, and their romantic speak of old traditions and how the French language is both beloved and cursed is a charming string of dialogue that first introduces the two.
8The Feared Dictator
As previously mentioned,El Condeis modeled after the real-life figure Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte, a Chilean general and dictator who ruled Child from 1973 to 1990. As many approaching the film for the first time may not be aware of the historical figure, the movie does a wonderful job of catching the audience up to speed in anopening montage. While this does not get too heavily into the details, it does convey how powerful and feared a figure he was and how he seized power through extreme violence.
7Interview with the Family
This is a more ongoing instance than a particular best moment. Still, the ongoing interview with Augusto’s children provides excellent insight into the life and legend surrounding the once-dictator and his rule over the people. Moreover, these interviews offer up much of the film’s comedy as they reflect on lofty concepts like the nature of evil while overlooking human atrocities, all with a cold indifference afforded to alife full of luxury and undying greed.
6Is This an Exorcism or a Date?
As El Conde falls for the accountant, a secret assassin who has come to kill him under the guise of helping the family sort their finances, he dons his best uniform and meets her for a date. This film presents a humorous juxtaposition as Augusto dances and approaches the young girl while she calls out to god, tears in her eyes, wielding weapons.
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It is a peculiar absurdity thatEl Condenails time and time again throughout the production, a mix of religious fever and indifference of the bourgeoisie to anything outside their desires. In addition, actor Paula Luchsinger looks at her most divine at this moment of good vs. evil.
5The Freedom of Flight
Deciding to take Augusto up on his proposal of romance, Carmencita may have been hiding a secret agenda succumbing tothe allure of power afforded by becoming a vampire. Regardless of the woman’s motives, the subsequent scene where she discovers the joy of flight is the most picturesque moment in the entire movie.
Combine this with Paula Luchsinger conveying the utter joy and excitement of discovering flight, and it is hard not to be moved by this particular sequence, even if it does not feed into the larger story the movie is trying to tell.
4Time to Fly and Start Anew
The family drama elements ofEl Conde, are pushed by the idea that Augusto is ready to die and has been slowly weening himself off of blood to find peaceful rest. However, with his love for the young Carmencita and a visit from a guest who tells him to grow out of his childish behavior, Augusto decides to give life another go.
Taking to the skies in his military uniform, Augusto goes on a killing spree to revitalize his body. While horror elements are largely absent from the production, this scene returns to theviolent opening sequence, which made for quite the spectacle.
3A Family Reborn
After a series of murders drastically shape the family dynamic between Augusto and his children, the family can claim the leftover riches and move out independently. Once again, the dialogue shines in such instances where it reflects on a family steeped in greed that will stay corrupt for the remainder of their days.
El Condeis one of those films where you want to pay close attention to the dialogue and try to read beyond what is being spoken and how it relates to more significant cultural/religious/social reflections. The final farewell to the family before they head off is a prime example of how well-written the movie is.
2An Unfavorable Courting
“Just like all men, my son is an idiot who can’t understand women.” With this line, the delusional world that Augusto has built of rediscovering love and finding purpose once again in a new muse crumbles. Taking Carmencita to his study, dressing her up as Marie Antoinette, and then presenting her with the actual head of the executed royal as a means of ‘passing the torch,’ is the best comedic moment in the movie.
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This scene also leads tochaos in the familyas the members turn against the matriarch, the newly turned Carmencita, and the convincing servant of Augusto.
1The Iron Lady Appears
The narrator ofEl Conderemains somewhat of a mystery through the bulk of the production, beyond thevery proper British accent, which seems slightly off in a Spanish film. However, when the narrator is finally revealed to be Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990, it all comes together hilariously.
The reveal follows a brief history of how Margaret Thatcher became a vampire, made her way through politics, and influenced the Chilean dictator. The scene is quite a bizarre rewrite of history, and actor Stella Gonet captures the influence and power of Thatcher with uncanny ease. Moreover, when The Iron Lady appears, it also catalyzes many conflicts that push toward the film’s conclusion. It is a perfectly executed reveal and easily the best moment in the entire movie.
