Elena Anaya
Paula
Overview
After a couple finds a traumatized child of unknown origins, wife Paula must decipher the girl's strange behaviors to unlock her identity and dark past.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Girl Who Wasn’t There
I keep thinking about the way the light falls in The Chalk Line—not the kind that illuminates, but the kind that obscures. There’s a moment early on, or at least I think there is (the film is stingy with its details, and that’s part of the point), where Elena Anaya’s Paula crouches in a dimly lit hallway, her face half in shadow, watching a child who shouldn’t exist. The girl is there, then she isn’t.
The camera lingers just a second too long on the empty space where she stood, as if daring us to question what we saw. That’s the film in a nutshell: a horror story that doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore, but on the creeping dread of not being able to trust your own eyes.
Ignacio Tatay’s film is a quiet, unsettling thing, the kind of horror that seeps into your bones rather than slapping you across the face. It’s a hybrid—part police procedural, part domestic nightmare—and it’s at its best when it blurs the line between the two. The premise is simple: Paula and her husband Simón (Pablo Molinero) find a young girl, Clara (Eva Tennear), wandering alone in the woods.
She’s mute, traumatized, and utterly disconnected from the world. No one knows where she came from, and the more Paula tries to unravel the mystery, the more the girl’s presence feels like a violation. There’s something off about her, something that defies logic.
She doesn’t eat. She doesn’t sleep. She stares at walls like she’s listening to voices no one else can hear.
And then there are the drawings—the chalk lines she scratches onto the floor, crude and frantic, like a child trying to map a world that doesn’t exist.
The film’s greatest strength is its restraint. Tatay doesn’t rush to explain Clara’s origins or the supernatural forces at play (if they even are supernatural; the film is deliberately vague). Instead, he lets the unease build slowly, like a pressure cooker with no release valve.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A tense but uneven horror-mystery that hooks with its premise but frustrates with pacing and underdeveloped characters."
The film’s eerie setup—a child found drawing a chalk line she refuses to cross—draws viewers in, with many praising its unsettling atmosphere and strong lead performance by Elena Anaya. However, the slow burn and lack of clear payoff leave some feeling let down, particularly as the mystery unravels in predictable ways.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performance Elena Anaya’s portrayal of a determined investigator adds depth to the story, earning praise for her emotional range.
- Unsettling atmosphere The film’s horror elements and tension are effectively built, creating a creepy and immersive experience.
- Intriguing premise The central mystery of the chalk line and the child’s behavior is compelling enough to keep viewers engaged early on.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Many find the film’s build-up too drawn out, with little payoff to justify the wait.
- Predictable resolution The mystery’s outcome feels telegraphed, undercutting the tension for those expecting surprises.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including the child at the center of the plot, lack depth, making it hard to invest in their arcs.
Recommended for
Horror-mystery fans Atmospheric thriller lovers Elena Anaya admirers Slow-burn horror enthusiasts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of The Chalk Line: Ignacio Tatay’s Directorial Debut and the Making of a Spanish Horror Hit
The Chalk Line (2022), originally titled Jaula (Spanish for "Cage"), marks the feature directorial debut of Ignacio Tatay, a filmmaker previously known for his work in short films like Mano a mano and Novio. The psychological thriller, co-written by Tatay and screenwriter Isabel Peña (May God Save Us), blends mystery and horror as it follows a childless couple’s descent into obsession after taking in a traumatized young girl. With a cast led by Elena Anaya (The Skin I Live In) and Pablo Molinero, the film has drawn attention for its tense storytelling and Tatay’s atmospheric direction. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know about its creation—and the buzz surrounding its release.
From Short Films to Feature Debut: Tatay’s Rise
Ignacio Tatay’s transition from shorts to a full-length thriller was a calculated leap. His earlier projects, including Mano a mano and Novio, hinted at a knack for suspense, but The Chalk Line was his first opportunity to helm a feature. The film’s screenplay, co-written with Isabel Peña—a frequent collaborator with director Rodrigo Sorogoyen—brings a sharp, character-driven edge to the horror genre. Peña’s involvement likely added polish to the script, given her reputation for crafting tense, dialogue-heavy narratives.
Production was handled by Pokeepsie Films, a company co-founded by Álex de la Iglesia (The Bar, Perfect Strangers), who also served as a producer alongside Carolina Bang and Araceli Pérez-Rastrilla. De la Iglesia’s involvement suggests a deliberate push to elevate Spanish genre cinema, blending arthouse sensibilities with mainstream appeal. The film’s budget and shooting schedule remain unconfirmed, but its tight 106-minute runtime and contained setting (primarily the couple’s home) hint at a lean, efficient production.
Casting Choices and Character Dynamics
Elena Anaya, known for her roles in Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In and Room in Rome, headlines the film as Paula, a woman whose maternal instincts spiral into paranoia. Anaya’s ability to convey quiet intensity made her a strong fit for the role, though details about her preparation—such as method acting or research into trauma—are scarce in the available evidence.
Pablo Molinero, who plays Paula’s husband Simón, brings a contrasting energy to the film. His character’s skepticism and eventual complicity create a dynamic tension with Anaya’s performance. The real wildcard, however, is Eva Tennear, the young actress who plays Clara, the enigmatic girl at the center of the story. Tennear’s portrayal of a traumatized child was widely praised for its unsettling realism, though little is known about her background or how she landed the role,.
Supporting cast members like Eva Llorach (The Platform) and Carlos Santos (While at War) round out the ensemble, but their roles are secondary to the central trio. The film’s success hinges on the chemistry between Anaya, Molinero, and Tennear—a testament to Tatay’s ability to extract strong performances from his leads.
**Themes and Reception: Why The Chalk Line Stands Out**
The Chalk Line arrived on Netflix in late 2022, riding a wave of Spanish-language horror films that have gained international traction (The Platform, Veneciafrenia). Unlike many horror movies that rely on jump scares, The Chalk Line leans into psychological dread, exploring themes of parenthood, obsession, and the fragility of trust,.
Critics and audiences were divided but largely intrigued. The film holds a modest 5.8/10 rating on SensCritique, with some viewers praising its slow-burn tension and others criticizing its pacing. Letterboxd users, however, were more enthusiastic, with one reviewer calling it "deceptively nuanced" and a "goddamn rewarding" experience for those who went in blind. The lack of a Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score suggests limited mainstream press coverage, but the film’s cult following has grown thanks to word-of-mouth and Netflix’s algorithm.
One of the most discussed aspects of the film is its ambiguous ending, which leaves key questions unanswered. This choice has fueled debates about whether The Chalk Line is a standalone story or a setup for a potential sequel—though no official plans have been announced.
Unanswered Questions and Rumors
Despite its modest budget and relatively low-key release, The Chalk Line has sparked a few behind-the-scenes rumors:
- True Story Inspiration? Some viewers speculated that the film was based on real events, but The Cinemaholic debunked this, confirming it’s an original screenplay. The confusion may stem from the film’s grounded, realistic tone.
- Sequel Potential: With the story’s open-ended conclusion, fans have wondered if a follow-up is in the works. However, there’s no evidence to suggest Tatay or the producers are developing a sequel.
- Tennear’s Breakout Role: Eva Tennear’s performance as Clara has led to curiosity about her career. While she’s listed in the cast, details about her prior work or future projects are scarce,.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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