Karadima Forest

Synopsis

Karadima Forest (El bosque de Karadima) is a gripping Chilean drama from 2015 featuring the powerful performance of Luis Gnecco. The film delves into the controversial and dark real-life story surrounding Father Fernando Karadima, a priest accused of sexual abuse. Set against the backdrop of Chile's deeply religious community, the movie explores themes of faith, power, silence, and justice. It portrays the internal struggles of those who attempt to confront the abuse and the institution’s resistance to acknowledgment. With intense storytelling and a thought-provoking narrative, the film sheds light on the moral complexities and societal impact of standing up to entrenched authority within the church.

Cast

• 

  Luis Gnecco

  Fernando Karadima

• 

  Benjamín Vicuña

  Thomas Leyton

• 

  Ingrid Isensee

  Amparo

• 

  Pedro Campos

  Young Thomas Leyton

• 

  Aline Küppenheim

  Thomas Leyton's Mother

• 

  Francisco Melo

  District Attorney

Reviews

Karadima Forest received generally positive reviews for its bold and sensitive handling of a difficult subject. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 80% approval rating, with critics praising its compelling narrative and Luis Gnecco’s nuanced performance. The site’s consensus highlights the film's courage in tackling a taboo topic and its ability to provoke important conversations about institutional abuse. IMDb users rate the film at 6.9/10, reflecting a generally favorable reception mixed with some critiques about pacing and narrative focus. Metacritic did not provide a score, but various critics note that while the film is powerful and necessary, some found its approach a bit restrained or emotionally heavy. Variety commended the film's thoughtful examination of faith and corruption, stating it “balances raw emotion with a measured storyline.” The Hollywood Reporter lauded Gnecco’s portrayal, calling it “an intense and deeply humanizing performance.” Overall, Karadima Forest is noted for its courage and social relevance, though the heavy subject matter might not appeal to all viewers.

See also

Inception

Interstellar

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Deadpool