Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
Beatriz
Overview
When a fashion employee thinks she will have to end her promising career after getting pregnant, her boss offers to adopt the child.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Quiet Bargain
I’ve seen this story before—ambition and motherhood colliding in a high-pressure workplace, the unspoken cost of success measured in sleepless nights and deferred dreams. But Under Her Control doesn’t just reheat the old debate; it traps it in a room with no exits, where the air grows thinner with every polite refusal to name the thing that’s really being traded. The film’s Spanish title, La jefa (“The Boss”), promises a power struggle, and it delivers—but not the kind you expect.
This isn’t a battle of wills so much as a slow, suffocating negotiation, where the currency is a child, and the terms are dictated by silence.
The premise is simple, almost clinical: Elena (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), a rising star in the fashion industry, discovers she’s pregnant just as her career is poised to take off. Her boss, the formidable and enigmatic Clara (Cumelén Sanz), offers a solution—she’ll adopt the baby, allowing Elena to return to work unburdened. No legal contracts, no courtrooms, just a handshake and the unspoken understanding that this is a transaction between women who know the price of ambition.
The film unfolds in the spaces between their conversations, where glances linger a second too long and smiles don’t quite reach the eyes. It’s a drama of omission, and Fran Torres, the director, seems determined to let the audience fill in the blanks.
That restraint is both the film’s strength and its most frustrating quality. There’s a chilling precision to the way Torres frames his scenes, often using doorways and corridors to emphasize the distance between characters. In one early sequence, Elena stands in the hallway outside Clara’s office, her reflection fractured in the glass of a framed photograph.
The shot doesn’t just suggest her fractured identity; it shows it, the way the light catches her face in pieces. Yet for all its visual elegance, the film often feels like it’s holding its breath. The camera lingers on empty rooms, on hands clasped too tightly, on the space between two people who should be embracing but never quite touch.
It’s as if Torres is afraid that saying too much will break the spell—that naming the thing they’re both avoiding will make it real.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A tense but uneven drama with strong performances that struggles to fully escape familiar tropes."
Viewers appreciate the gripping lead performances, particularly Aitana Sánchez-Gijón’s commanding presence, which anchors the film’s dramatic tension. However, the story’s reliance on well-worn power dynamics and a lack of depth in secondary characters leave some feeling underwhelmed, despite the film’s stylish execution.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performance Aitana Sánchez-Gijón delivers a compelling and intense portrayal that carries much of the film’s emotional weight.
- Tense atmosphere The film’s moody and suspenseful tone keeps viewers engaged, even when the plot feels predictable.
- Stylish direction Fran Torres’ visual approach adds a layer of sophistication, elevating the material beyond its conventional setup.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar power-struggle tropes, leaving little room for surprise or innovation.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, making it hard to invest in anyone beyond the leads.
- Uneven pacing Some scenes drag while others rush, disrupting the film’s flow and impact.
Recommended for
Fans of intense character dramas Aitana Sánchez-Gijón admirers Lovers of moody, stylish thrillers Spanish cinema enthusiasts Those who enjoy power dynamics in film
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Under Her Control: Netflix’s Tense Drama and Its Rising Star
Under Her Control (2022), directed by Fran Torres, is a Spanish drama that dives into power dynamics, sacrifice, and the personal cost of ambition. Starring Aitana Sánchez-Gijón and Cumelén Sanz, the film has drawn attention for its raw performances and high-stakes narrative. But what went on behind the camera? Here’s what we know—and what remains unconfirmed—about the making of this Netflix thriller.
A Story of Power and Sacrifice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-JlkFB_gE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IspGjW1RgtE
The film centers on a high-powered executive (Sánchez-Gijón) whose life unravels when she’s forced to make a morally compromising choice. Her younger colleague, played by Sanz, becomes entangled in the fallout, leading to a tense, emotionally charged dynamic. Early reviews suggest the movie’s strength lies in its exploration of workplace manipulation and personal loyalty [1][5].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcxqbOftfFE
While the plot’s specifics are kept under wraps in trailers, snippets from reviews and scene breakdowns hint at a pivotal moment: a kiss between Sanz’s character, Sofía, and Nacho (Younes Bachir), which has become one of the film’s most talked-about moments [7]. The scene’s intensity reportedly stems from the actors’ off-screen chemistry, though details about its filming remain scarce.
Cumelén Sanz: The Breakout Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEnMAQJzKQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9C4xX9HWNQ
Sanz, a relative newcomer, has become the film’s standout for many viewers. Her portrayal of Sofía—a character caught between ambition and vulnerability—has sparked speculation about her future in Spanish cinema. Clips of her performance, particularly in emotionally charged scenes, have circulated widely, with fans praising her ability to convey quiet desperation [4][6].
Rumors suggest Sanz’s casting was a last-minute decision, though this hasn’t been confirmed by the production team. What is clear is that her role has catapulted her into the spotlight, with industry insiders predicting bigger projects ahead. Sánchez-Gijón, a veteran actress, reportedly mentored Sanz during filming, though neither has publicly discussed their off-screen dynamic [1].
Mixed Reviews and a Polarizing Ending
Under Her Control has divided critics. While some praise its gripping narrative and strong performances, others argue the pacing drags in the second act. The French review site SensCritique gave it a lukewarm 5/10, calling it "a competently made drama that lacks originality" 
. Meanwhile, early audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes suggest a more favorable response, though the site’s official score isn’t yet available .
The film’s ending, in particular, has sparked debate. Some viewers describe it as "haunting," while others find it abrupt or unsatisfying [5]. Without spoilers, it’s safe to say the finale leaves room for interpretation—something that may have been intentional on Torres’ part.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the buzz, details about the film’s production remain thin. Here’s what’s missing:
- Budget and Behind-the-Scenes Drama: No reports confirm the film’s budget, shooting locations, or any on-set conflicts.
- Director’s Vision: Fran Torres has kept a low profile, with no interviews or statements about his creative process.
- Awards Buzz: While Sanz’s performance is generating chatter, there’s no word yet on festival screenings or award campaigns.
For now, Under Her Control remains a compelling but under-discussed entry in Netflix’s Spanish-language catalog. Whether it’s a one-off success or the start of a larger conversation about power in the workplace depends on how audiences—and critics—continue to engage with it.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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