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Movie poster for Under Her Control (2022)

Under Her Control

2022
1h 49m
16 · Spanish
Director: Fran Torres
Search on Netflix

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 read

The 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.

A dimly lit office, the glow of a desk lamp pooling over paperwork and a single, half-empty glass of wine

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 never fully escapes familiar tropes."

The lead performances grip, particularly Aitana Sánchez-Gijón's commanding presence, which anchors the dramatic tension. But the story's reliance on well-worn power dynamics and its thin secondary characters make it underwhelming despite the stylish execution.

What viewers praise
  • Strong lead performance Aitana Sánchez-Gijón gives an intense, compelling performance that carries much of the film's emotional weight.
  • Tense atmosphere The moody, suspenseful tone holds attention even when the plot is predictable.
  • Stylish direction Fran Torres' visual approach adds sophistication and lifts the material above its conventional setup.
Common complaints
  • Predictable plot The story follows familiar power-struggle tropes, with little surprise or innovation.
  • Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, making it hard to care about anyone beyond the leads.
  • Uneven pacing Some scenes drag while others rush, disrupting the film's flow.
Recommended for
Fans of intense character dramas Aitana Sánchez-Gijón admirers Lovers of moody, stylish thrillers Spanish cinema enthusiasts Fans of power-struggle dramas

Full Plot (Spoilers)

Spoiler warning

This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.

Buzz & Rumors

Public reports

Behind 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? latestnetflix.com's view is that here’s what we know—and what remains unconfirmed—about the making of this Netflix thriller.


A Story of Power and Sacrifice

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.

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. The scene’s intensity reportedly stems from the actors’ off-screen chemistry, though details about its filming remain scarce.


Cumelén Sanz: The Breakout Star

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.

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.


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. 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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