Why is Below Zero the #1 trending title on Netflix? The Spanish thriller wasn't a highly-anticipated film upon its late January 2021 release, yet it's managed to immediately become a breakout hit. Given the absence of a major international star, it seems Netflix streamers have been hooked by the cryptic opening sequence and the film's ability to sustain suspense over the course of 106 minutes.
Below Zero (Bajocero) takes place over a single day and follows a police officer named Martin (Javier Gutiérrez). On the first day of a new job, he must help transport six criminals to new prison with his colleague, Montesinos (Isak Férriz). The officers initially clash over how to deal with their passengers, but then resolve their differences when the portable prison stops in the middle of nowhere. As the convicts become restless and plot an escape, a gunman emerges and begins firing at the vehicle. The moment marks the film's inciting incident, as the mystery man doesn't intend to help the prisoners but rather has different motivations. Meanwhile, Martin must settle on the most appropriate course of action, which may involve teaming up with one of the focal baddies.
If Below Zero's premise catches the attention of Netflix subscribers, then the opening sequence suggests it's worth sticking around for the entire duration. The film begins in media res, as a mysterious Man in Black hunts down a young man, like the iconic horror baddies Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers stalk their victims. So, within seconds, there's a mash-up of Western and horror tropes, along with a clear villain who dumps his victim into a shallow grave. Moments later, Below Zero properly begins and shifts attention to the protagonist Martin, who subsequently learns about a dangerous mission. In term of storytelling, the brilliance of the narrative structure is that it establishes clear archetypes within a matter of minutes. There's a bad guy, a good guy, and prisoners with unclear motivations. That's the hook; a way to keep Netflix audiences engaged despite the lack of familiar faces.
Aside from the primary conflict, Below Zero succeeds through its slow burn style of filmmaking. The visuals alone may remind viewers of favorite filmmakers with a minimalistic lean, while the relatively simple premise allows for an accessible viewing experience. For example, there's a clear survivalist theme that immediately stands out, with the opening visuals feeling reminiscent of slasher flicks and the subsequent scenes capturing the mood of an Andrew Dominik drama, a la Killing Them Softly (2012) or even the two episodes of Mindhunter that he directed. In fact, Below Zero's moody vibe is also comparable to the filmmaking aesthetic of David Fincher - the Mindhunter showrunner who directed gritty, rain-filled dramas like Se7en (1995) and Fight Club (1999).
When Martin's transport vehicle stops in Below Zero, audiences can empathize with his paranoia and sense of uncertainty; it's almost like the prisoners are symbolic of a looming threat in the real world, such as COVID-19, which makes the central protagonist even more relatable. In a clever storytelling twist, the Below Zero filmmakers subvert expectations by re-introducing the opening villain and then challenging the audience to consider the idea that he may not actually be a villain at all. So, Below Zero raises some difficult questions about justice and morality, with the main conflict revolving around Martin's changing perspective.
Below Zero's immediate success on Netflix is surprising when considering the lack of female characters. The entire main cast consists of men only, with some of the characters telling emotional stories about the women in their lives. In the final act, there's a gruesome display of violence, which will undoubtedly remind some viewers of the brutality in S. Craig Zahler films like Bone Tomahawk (2015) and Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017). Given that Below Zero features some gnarly, gross-out visuals during the climax, there's probably a word-of-mouth element at play, as streamers are most likely recommending the Netflix film to friends.
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