Is O Segredo das Pedras Vivas Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2016)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of O Segredo das Pedras Vivas (2016), audiences are invited back into the world of Fantasy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In an isolated village of the Alentejo region, a conflict arises. José Vitorino, one of the landowners of the region, rich in prehistoric monuments, wants to build a luxurious solarium in lands filled with ancient rocks, places of devotion and sacred rituals. Indifferent to the people’s protest, who believe in the magical powers of the stones and that the region’s drought is due to the rocks’ destruction, José Vitorino hires an architect to plan his new house. On christmas eve, in the middle of the winter solstice, a strange ceremony around a dolmen, once an altar for bloody sacrifices in more remote times, releases a harmful spell. A race against time to reverse the faulty charm begins."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Manuel Cavaco attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Fantasy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is O Segredo das Pedras Vivas worth your time? If you appreciate Fantasy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, O Segredo das Pedras Vivas misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 122 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.