Jump ahead to the film’s second half, seven years later. Clara is a single mother raising Ana’s child, Joel. After his seventh birthday party, Joel sits on his bed in a colorful, cozily lit bedroom. In a sweet voice overflowing with maternal affection, Clara says to Joe--- “Son, it’s time for the little room.” Clara pushes aside a wardrobe, revealing a heavy metal door. The walls are covered in scratch marks, and beneath a pair of chains is a mattress and stuffed animals. The room is as small as the framing shot. Joel eagerly stands against a height chart on the wall while his mother measures him with chalk. Clara gently chains him up, making sure that he is comfortable. She warns him not to bite at the chains so he won’t get a toothache. She tenderly kisses him goodnight, strokes his hair, and leaves.
This is Good Manners- always alternating zig zags between classic werewolf gore and sweet love, until the final denouement, which would be a spoiler to detail.
Good Manners --by turns filled with tenderness and darkness -- is recommended to those who love monsters and dark fantasy. In this writer’s opinion, it gives an off-beat take on a queer love story and for that alone is worth a watch. While the gruesome moments are relatively light, be warned that there are scenes of animal and child death. Those not drawn to werewolf fare should likely stay away.
Very detailed review that allows me to dive into the world of this film.