The Bar

On a blistering day in central Madrid, a sudden volley of gunshots rattles through the street and traps a motley mix of strangers inside a crumbling bar. Elena, Nacho, Trini, Sátur, Israel and other patrons come from different lives, from a city worker to a disaffected student, all seeking shelter from the chaos outside. The claustrophobic room becomes a pressure cooker where whispers turn to accusations, and alarms from the bar's battered television seem louder than the outside danger. As the hours drag on, moral codes blur, information mutates into rumor, and the line between ally and threat grows dangerously thin. The bar becomes a mirror of Madrid itself, where personal grudges collide with public fear.

Released in 2017, The Bar is directed by Álex de la Iglesia with a screenplay by de la Iglesia and Jorge Guerricaechevarría; it uses an original script rather than being adapted from another work. The film leans on tight framing and rapid cuts to ratchet tension.

The worldwide box office totaled 3,662,671 dollars against a budget of 6,045,750 dollars, signaling a modest return. The film found audiences primarily in Spain and select international markets, drawing praise for its premise and performances despite a niche appeal and limited release in some markets.

The Bar sparked lively dialogue about fear, group psychology, and how people respond under pressure. Its cramped setting and dark humor pushed audiences to consider the line between civilization and chaos, while the confident mix of satire and suspense inspired similar thrillers in European genre cinema.

Critics praised the film for its tense pacing and its blend of horror, comedy and social commentary. Blanca Suárez and Mario Casas deliver sharp performances, though some viewers felt the tone veered unevenly at times. The core themes include fear as a contagion and the fragility of trust under pressure.