Exterminio: El templo de huesos

Nia DaCosta’s 2026 offering, *Exterminio: El templo de huesos*, is a fascinating, if ultimately uneven, foray into the sci-fi horror landscape. Clocking in at a brisk 109 minutes, it promises a world-altering romance and an inescapable nightmare, and largely delivers on the latter. The film’s 7.2/10 rating feels appropriate – it’s a compelling watch, but one that leaves you with a few lingering questions.

The core strength of *Exterminio* lies in its relentless atmospheric tension. DaCosta, working within the sci-fi and horror genres, masterfully crafts a sense of impending dread that permeates every frame. The "temple de huesos" isn't just a clever title; it’s a palpable, suffocating presence, even when not explicitly shown. Ralph Fiennes, as Dr. Kelson, anchors the film with a performance that expertly conveys a man grappling with unthinkable consequences. His new, "shocking" relationship, though initially vague in the synopsis, unfolds with a disturbing intimacy that truly sells the world-changing stakes. Jack O'Connell, as Spike, portrays a descent into a deeply personal hell with convincing intensity, making his encounter with Jimmy Crystal genuinely unsettling. The ensemble cast, including Erin Kellyman and Emma Laird, provide strong supporting turns, adding layers to this bleak narrative.

However, the film’s narrative structure, while ambitious, occasionally falters. The dual storylines – Kelson’s transformative romance and Spike’s inescapable nightmare – are intended to converge, but their initial separation creates a slight disconnect. While the individual threads are powerful, the transitions between them can feel a touch abrupt, hindering the organic flow. Furthermore, the "world-changing" consequences, while hinted at with gravitas, sometimes lack the concrete impact one might expect given the film's build-up. There’s a certain ambiguity that, while artistic, might leave some viewers yearning for a more definitive resolution to the grander implications.

In conclusion, *Exterminio: El templo de huesos* is a bold and often chilling piece of cinema. DaCosta’s direction is assured, eliciting powerful performances and crafting an unforgettable atmosphere. While its narrative ambition occasionally outpaces its execution, the film’s strengths in performance and sustained tension make it a worthwhile viewing experience for fans of cerebral sci-fi and psychological horror. It’s a film that stays with you, even if not all its mysteries are fully unwrapped.