In Her Place review – true-crime drama of a court worker fascinated by author in the dock

In a recent interview, we delved into Maite Alberdi’s latest film, “In Her Place,” which Chile has submitted for Oscar consideration this year. This quirky narrative takes inspiration from a real murder case that captivated the nation in the 1950s, involving bestselling author María Carolina Geel. With a fascinating blend of glamour and dark humor reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s style, the film, however, struggles to deliver the psychological drama it promises.

In the film, we follow the life of Mercedes, portrayed by Elisa Zulueta, a timid woman who serves as a secretary to the judge overseeing Geel’s trial. As a mother of two spirited teenage boys and the wife of a struggling photographer, Mercedes becomes increasingly enchanted by Geel’s glamorous lifestyle while she awaits her trial in a nunnery. The prosecution holds the keys to Geel’s apartment, and Mercedes finds herself sneakily indulging in the lavish world of designer clothes and high-end fragrances, often making excuses to her husband about being busy at the office.

But what does this obsession ultimately lead to? Viewers might expect a dramatic climax or a shocking revelation, yet the film instead takes a sentimental route. It contrasts Geel’s seemingly alluring life with Mercedes’s mundane reality, but it curiously shies away from delving into Geel’s inner thoughts and motivations. Moreover, the film briefly references another infamous figure, surrealist poet María Bombal, but her significant past connection seems underexplored, leaving a sense of missed opportunity.

As we look to the film’s release, starting October 11 on Netflix, it raises the question—could a documentary or a different fictional approach to this rich true-crime story have captured the intensity the material deserves? We’ll have to wait and see how audiences perceive this intriguing blend of fact and fiction crafted by Alberdi.