Cannibal

Granada tailor Carlos appears to lead a perfectly respectable life, defined by his skill, routine, and a steady reputation. But his private passion is shocking and precise: he consumes people, choosing his meals with the same care he applies to a suit. His fixation is not sensationalized; it haunts every interaction as he balances polite courtesy with ever darker cravings. As the city hums around him, Carlos navigates opportunities and temptations that test his restraint, the gaze of neighbors, and the boundaries between refinement and taboo. The mood is taut, focused on character psychology rather than flashy twists, inviting viewers to watch a man unravel under pressure. Nothing about him is accidental.

Directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca, Cannibal arrived in 2013 after a string of acclaimed Spain-based dramas. The screenplay is credited to Humberto Arenal and Alejandro Hernandez, with Antonio de la Torre, Olimpia Melinte and Maria Alfonsa Rosso headlining.

Critics have noted a restrained, methodical approach that heightens tension as Carlos struggles to keep his impulses in check. The film probes themes of social respectability, moral ambiguity, and the distance between civilized life and hidden appetites. The pacing, the tightly shot interiors, and the quiet cat and mouse between Carlos and Nina add to a sense of moral hazard without sensationalism.

The film distinguishes itself through a stark visual palette and a clinical gaze that lingers on details of craft and appetite. It has sparked conversations about how cinema uses discomfort to reveal social norms and the fear of unseen cravings. Its restrained tone contrasts with the graphic implications of its premise, inviting debate about how films shape our empathy and what counts as civilized behavior when appetites cross lines.

Box office data for Cannibal is not publicly available, suggesting a limited release and a primarily festival circuit presence in select markets. Its reception hinges on festival audiences and critics rather than wide commercial impact.