By Jacob Cameron 

Rosario is a contained horror film from writer/director Felipe Vargas. Contained horror films have had a largely consistent track record of quality with recent outings. Evil Dead Rise and The Menu are famous examples. While 2020’s Host and Spree are ones that have fallen under the radar and can be considered underrated. Rosario, while having a familiar story, provides more than a few scares that will shake you to your core.

Rosario tells the story of the titular young woman, played by Emeraude Toubia, a stockbroker who learns that her estranged grandmother has passed away. Rosario goes to her grandmother’s apartment to watch her body while a snow storm cripples New York City. While there, she learns that her grandmother dealt with forces related to the occult.  She deduces that she may have been cursed by her grandmother in her grandmother’s dying day. He works to try and reverse the curse in any way she can.

Emeraude Toubia is the beating heart of the film. Not much is known about why she became estranged from her grandmother, but it is implied that it was not due to malice. Another film would’ve made Rosario out to be someone who wanted nothing to do with her grandmother. There is also the implication that Rosario shoulders some guilt for crucial events that are important to the plot. There is a guilt that is conveyed through this performance that was unexpectedly good. Toubia takes up the majority of the screen time; with David Dastmalchian having a minor role.

The main strength of the film lies in its simplicity. It is less than 90 minutes, it takes place in one apartment, and it locks in on the main story. Rosario is locked in this apartment because of a snow storm, so there’s no way she can simply leave. When dealing with this occult magic, she has to make decisions on the fly and second-guesses on occasion. Another element of the film that stands out is the atmosphere. The apartment and the apartment building feel dirty and live in a sharp contrast to the office she works in, where everything is in its right place.

If there’s one thing that was lacking, it was the CGI. To this film’s credit, there appears to be quite a bit of practical effects work on display, which was done very well. The CGI sticks out like a sore thumb, and that part doesn’t look the best. But that’s the only real glaring issue here. The rest of the effects feel like they come from a practical standpoint, which leads to some gruesome moments.

All told, Rosario might be in contention for one of the more underrated horror offerings of 2025. It’s a quick watch that doesn’t waste any time. The story is efficient and told in a manner that is easy to grasp. And Emeraude Toubia might very well be one to watch going forward. Be on the lookout for this film and see it if you can. 

4 1/2 stars