Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Huesera: The Bone Woman’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Huesera: The Bone Woman’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that we cherish motherhood in our modern society, and understandably so. After all, it is mom that carries a child for nine months to term, and endures all the difficulties that accompany that, not to mention… it is mom that goes through endless hours of painful labor to bring a life into this world, and that too… is a huge deal. For they have helped to give life to a new human being, and the promise that comes with that is endless since that child could be the one that changes the world for the better. And the majesty and importance of that act, is precisely why so many women answer the call when the time is right to them, and this can be quite the beautiful act to say the least… one that creates a legacy for all of humankind. But what is fascinating about motherhood in our modern world, is that it comes with a dark side to it. Specifically… how women that aren’t interested in having children are treated.
​
Because not everyone feels the desire to bring a life into this world and are oft chastised for it. They’re told it’s a horrible idea to not have children, and that they will forever regret not enjoying motherhood and could in fact, lament such an act in their final days when there are no children to bid them farewell from this plane of existence. Which are words and an overall expectation that is both rude, and cruel. For it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to have children, and if not, that is their prerogative, and their reasons are their own and if it relates to the responsibility that comes with having a child, so be it. For it can be a scary and intense process that not everyone is suited for. If anything, the concerns, and terror that one could and would go through if tasked and pressured with having a child when they do not wish to, is top of mind today, simply because it serves as the central focus of a brand-new horror film on Shudder entitled, Huesera: The Bone Woman.

For in this story, we are introduced to a woman named Valeria who seemingly has it all. A loving husband, a large family and she even has a baby on the way. A little girl in fact, and well… that kind of perfect life should bring her nothing but joy. But instead, Valeria is terrified of what is to come. For she isn’t sure if she will be a good mother, if she’s making the right decision and if by chance, her baby will be safe in her arms. Simply because there are some strange occurrences happening around Valeria, the kind that have her convinced that something sinister is near, something that will claim the life of her child, and she may be helpless to do anything about it. Especially when old world cures for the spirts seem to do nothing but encourage them further, and it may take great sacrifice on her part to ensure her little girl and herself for that matter… will see tomorrow.

---

Which is a plot that first glance, seems less about the terrors of motherhood and more about something spooky surrounding her, and the film does little to detract from that, since we are indeed privy to some dark moments revolving around something sinister. The kind that features faceless people, disturbing visuals and a seeming dark force that follows Valeria everywhere she goes. All of which brings forth the hardcore horror elements in this story, and they are indeed effective at unsettling the viewer. Because nothing about the ‘evil’ in this story feels conventional in the slightest, and the mystery surrounding it and why Valeria has been chosen by this evil… only adds to the uncomfortable nature of it, allowing for a supremely gothic and disturbing horror story to play out. 

But make no mistake about it, the commentary in question… is there. And it is sandwiched beneath the scares, and it truly does seem, as this story continues along, that the evil in question is a manifestation of Valeria’s fears and that all of this relates to stress and fear and an outright desire… to not be a mother. Which is backed up by flashbacks and a grand understanding of where Valeria was before her family basically demanded she settle down and have kids and perform her ‘duty’ as a woman. Which truly offers up powerful observations on the unrealistic and uncomfortable pressures that women face in this life to have a child, and the terror it causes them when they choose to bring a life into this world when they don’t want to. Making this a powerful film about the horrors of societal pressures and quite frankly… the horrors of childbirth.

Not in the sense that it doesn’t have beauty, but this movie does also point out that our creation is a violent and painful act, one that does indeed require endurance and bravery and well… in the end, all of these elements make this a refreshing and brilliant horror feature. One that really does address a topic that is really only now being discussed in our modern world, and this movie deserves a round of applause for speaking a truth that few films have thus far. In that, it is okay to not want children, and that no one should ever be forced or coerced or hammered into doing so. For we are talking about the birth of a human life, one that should be wanted and nurtured and to ask someone who has no interest in that, does that life a great disservice and provides them with a long road ahead that can easily be avoided… by respecting one’s wishes and letting people live the life… they choose.

---

Powered by JustWatch