The Nameless (1999)

Dir: Jaume Balagueró

In this loose adaptation of the Ramsey Campbell novel of the same name, director Balagueró plays around with the premise of the book to create an altogether darker piece. The story follows a literary editor whose daughter is abducted and brutally murdered. Some ten years later, she receives a phone call from someone purporting to be her daughter, claiming she's still alive but is being held captive. The ensuing investigation does away with all the supernatural/psychic elements that are alluded to in Campbell's work and replaces them with a more fearsome enemy. I honestly like what they've done with it and the ending is a stunningly executed boot in the gall bladder - one of the few genuinely shocking sequences I've seen in recent memory - but the film falls short on characterisation and narrative structure (ironically, the book's two strongest points). Still, in spite of its flaws, it plays well, is nicely shot and, like I say, the horrifying finalé will kick your ass into taking away stronger memories with you than perhaps is justified. I'd be interested in seeing more of Balagueró's work. ***