Netflix’s Rising Star Tamar Novas Leads in Exciting New Spanish Thriller \’The Devil Within\’ (Exclusive)

Spain\’s Tamar Novas, who starred in Netflix’s highest-grossing non-English film “Nowhere” in 2023, heads up an impressive ensemble including Marina Salas, Iván Marcos, and Annick Weerts in Rubén Pérez Barreira\’s forthcoming directorial debut \”The Devil Within.\”

The rural thriller is produced by Beatriz Bodegas from La Canica Films, who earned a Goya award for the 2016 crime drama \”The Fury of a Patient Man\” (\”Tarde para la ira\”).

In a secluded Spanish hamlet during the 1980s, \”Walking with the Devil\” tells the story of Philippe, a young French child who comes to this place with his family hoping for tranquility—only to encounter Miguel (Novas), a resident whose life begins disintegrating following the baffling vanishing act of his offspring.

Combining deep emotions with gradually building suspense, the movie delves into how sorrow and psychological wounds can drive individuals to extremes—and poses a disturbing query: Could disaster reveal our most sinister nature?

Being part of this film project has filled me with immense gratitude, particularly because Bea Bodegas considered me as the top choice for portraying such a multifaceted role,\” stated Novas. \”After meeting with the director, I swiftly understood that taking on this assignment was going to present an enormous challenge.

Miguel represents the essence of the movie as he demonstrates the extent one might go through to surmount a deeply personal tragedy—the loss of innocence… He is a shattered spirit. His life burdened by guilt and enveloped in unyielding darkness, alongside the turmoil this brings forth, renders him an exceptional role to take on,” he commented about his character.

“I began filming immediately following my participation in the Malaga Film Festival where we presented \’8\’ directed by Julio Medem, which won the Audience Award. Working with such esteemed directors as Medem, Amenábar, Almodóvar, Coixet, among others, is truly inspiring; however, collaborating with emerging filmmakers during their first features particularly excites me—especially when the screenplay grabs me entirely and offers a fresh perspective on an untold tale akin to what’s seen in ‘Walking with the Devil.’ The incredible production crew led by Rubén is crafting just the perfect ambiance,” he commented.

Pérez Barrena, renowned for his gripping short films such as \”Walkie Talkie,\” \”Rewind,\” and \”Terror.app,\” will direct the thriller. The screenplay is written by Pérez Barrena along with Jesús Miguel Quintana, known for \”Km. 38.\”

He stated that for him, \’Walking with the Devil\’ is primarily a gripping thriller that explores the loss of innocence and how deeply a traumatic event or experience can push us towards embracing the darkness within each of us.

\”I’m feeling the full impact of this shoot just like every other one—there’s an emotional whirlwind—but I feel incredibly lucky to be working alongside such a fantastic group of experts, making my first movie truly special. Just as Coppola stated, \’My film isn’t about Vietnam; it is Vietnam.’ For me, ‘Walking with the Devil’ represents nothing less than the embodiment of evil itself,” he went on to say.

Bodegas remembers when she initially received an email from Pérez Barreira pitching his screenplay. She recounts, “After reading it, I found it to be a gripping and intense tale of rural suspense. I arranged a meeting with Rubén to discuss his vision for filming it, and right away, I chose to proceed with the project.”

Considering this was his first major film, she put together a seasoned team headed by Javier Salmones, Guillermo Navajo, Sergio Bürman, Maite Pérez Nievas, Naza Colomina, Patricia Rodríguez, and Julián Altuna. She believed they would back him up and assist in fostering both his talent and the narrative of the movie.

\”To bring the characters to life and truth, we are fortunate to have Tamar Novas (Miguel) and Marina Salas (Alicia), a couple suffering from a past loss who find in Alban Petit (Philippe) a way out of that pain. Iván Marcos (Tomás) and Annick Weerts (Marie) portray a couple traveling to the former\’s hometown in a difficult, everyday way (where less is more),\” she explained.

\”As an anecdote, Rubén and I were so convinced that Tamar and Marina were ‘our Miguel and Alicia\’ that we moved filming up six weeks from the originally planned date. Every day we are glad we made that decision. They are also surrounded by great supporting actors such as Vicente Vergara, Mateo Media, and Álvaro Dafora, among others. They all play their roles with absolute generosity,\” she added.