The Virgin of the Quarry Lake[1] (Spanish: La virgen de la tosquera) is a 2025 supernatural coming-of-age horror film directed by Laura Casabé from a screenplay by Benjamín Naishtat based on two stories by Mariana Enríquez. It is an Argentine-Mexican-Spanish international co-production. The cast is led by Dolores Oliverio.
Plot
Set in 2001, against the backdrop of the deep economic crisis and protests in Argentina, the plot follows three teenagers (Natalia, Mariela, and Josefina) who become infatuated with the same boy, Diego. The situation takes a turn when Diego starts a relationship with older and more experienced Silvia and Natalia casts a spell against the couple with help from her grandmother Rita.[2][3][4][5]
The film is based on the stories "El carrito" and "La virgen de la tosquera" by Mariana Enríquez,[3] both contained in the story collection The Dangers of Smoking in Bed.[7] It is an Argentinian-Mexican-Spanish co-production by Mostra Cine, Ajimolido Films, Caponeto and Mr. Miyagi Films,[3] and obtained financing from the 2023 Ibermedia co-production fund.[5]
Casabé lamented the ongoing situation in Argentina vis-à-vis State film policies, claiming that filmmakers were "living under ideological persecution", with only international co-production with Mexico and Spain saving the project.[6]
Chris Deacy of Journal of Religion & Film deemed the film to be a "beguiling and increasingly shocking interrogation of adolescent angst", otherwise displaying shades of Carrie and reminiscences of The Virgin Suicides.[11]
Martin Kudláč of Cineuropa described the film as venturing "into the darker zones of coming-of-age spiced up by the visceral impact associated with the New French Extremity".[12]
Chad Collins of Dread Central rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it a "an uncommonly frightening and tragic coming-of-age saga", displaying "bouts of violence" and "a sharp folkloric edge".[13]
