What is the Plot of Ola de Crímenes?
Ola de crímenes is a 2018 Spanish black comedy about Leyre, a divorced housewife whose teenage son Asier kills his father Cosme in a fit of rage. When Leyre attempts to hide the crime, her actions trigger a chaotic chain of murders across Bilbao, complicated by a parallel corruption scheme involving Cosme’s new wife and lawyer.
The Initial Crime
The film opens with Asier Rikarte killing his father Cosme during a heated confrontation at Leyre’s home. Cosme, portrayed by Luis Tosar, had come to visit but ended up openly belittling his son during the encounter. The teenager’s violent outburst leaves Cosme dead, and Leyre returns home to discover the body.
Facing an impossible situation, Leyre chooses to protect her son rather than call the authorities. This decision marks the beginning of her transformation from a scatterbrained, well-off housewife into someone willing to cross any line for family.
The Cover-Up Begins
Leyre and Asier place Cosme’s body in the trunk of her car, but Leyre doesn’t know how to drive. Following Asier’s suggestion to establish an alibi, Leyre takes a taxi to a café in the city center. She deliberately creates a scene to be remembered by witnesses.
At the café, Leyre fabricates a story about waiting for her husband who left her for her best friend. When the taxi driver—who moonlights as an actor—enters the café as planned, she publicly accuses him of being a stalker. This staged confrontation provides her with multiple witnesses who can place her away from the crime scene at the crucial time.
Leyre returns home to find Asier with his friend Julen, who had arrived to work on a philosophy assignment. The presence of Julen complicates matters significantly. She waits for the boys to fall asleep before attempting to dispose of the body, but exhaustion overtakes her. When she wakes, it’s already morning, and the car has mysteriously disappeared from her garage.
The Corruption Subplot
Parallel to Leyre’s predicament, the film introduces Susana Salazar, a ruthless lawyer portrayed by Juana Acosta. Susana is orchestrating a corruption scheme with a group of investors who funnel money through Cosme’s business to evade taxes. The arrangement allows them to invest, claim deductions, and receive cash returns.
Cosme’s failure to appear at a crucial meeting alarms both Susana and Vanesa, Cosme’s new wife played by Paula Echevarría. Vanesa contacts Leyre, who claims Cosme never showed up for their scheduled meeting. When two men arrive claiming they’re emptying the garage on Cosme’s orders, Vanesa discovers the car is missing and files a police report.
The Investigation
The case falls to Ertzaintza inspectors Andoni Galarza and Juantxu, portrayed by Antonio Resines and Raúl Peña. The investigators begin piecing together Cosme’s disappearance while navigating the web of lies surrounding it.
The investigation intensifies when the car is eventually found with Cosme’s body inside. However, by this point, multiple parties have reasons to manipulate the truth. Susana and Vanesa need to hide their corruption scheme, while Leyre desperately protects her son.
Complications and Additional Crimes
As Leyre’s attempts to conceal the initial crime unravel, the situation spirals out of control. Her sick mother and Julen—who harbors romantic feelings for Leyre—inadvertently become involved in the cover-up. Their well-meaning but misguided assistance creates additional complications.
The film lives up to its title as more deaths occur throughout the story. Each attempt to fix the previous problem only generates new chaos. The bodies pile up as the characters become increasingly entangled in the consequences of that first impulsive killing.
One of the central conflicts emerges when a missing cell phone threatens to expose Susana and Vanesa’s corruption network. The device contains evidence that could unravel their entire scheme, leading them to take increasingly desperate measures.
The Warehouse Incident
A significant sequence takes place at a warehouse where criminal elements connected to the corruption scheme clash. This confrontation results in a shootout that further complicates the investigation. The police struggle to connect this violence to Cosme’s murder, not realizing how deeply the two cases intertwine.
During this chaos, Susana demonstrates her willingness to eliminate anyone who threatens her interests. Her ruthless pragmatism contrasts sharply with Leyre’s emotional, reactive approach to problem-solving.
The False Confession
Susana and Vanesa eventually devise a plan to frame Leyre for all the crimes. They bribe Inspector Galarza and coerce Leyre into signing a false confession. The plan includes forcing Leyre to take barbiturates to make the confession appear like a suicide note.
Vanesa threatens to have Asier killed unless Leyre complies. The pressure forces Leyre into a corner, but she manages to alert Asier’s grandmother, who intervenes to protect the teenager.
The Confrontation
The climactic confrontation occurs when Vanesa attempts to murder Leyre by strangling her with a belt. Susana arrives and strikes Vanesa from behind with a shovel, but Leyre finishes the job by driving her high-heeled shoe into Vanesa’s temple.
After Vanesa’s death, Susana calls the police and spins an entirely new narrative. In her statement, she claims Vanesa was the mastermind behind Cosme’s murder, driven by jealousy over his plan to reconcile with Leyre. Susana portrays herself as Leyre’s savior, explaining that Vanesa bribed Galarza, forced the false confession, and threatened Asier’s life.
The authorities accept Susana’s version of events. When questioned about the warehouse shooting, Susana feigns ignorance, maintaining her facade of innocence.
The Confession
The film’s framing device reveals itself in the final act. Throughout the movie, Leyre has been confessing everything to a priest in a church. She tells him she’s responsible for the wave of crimes that has plagued Bilbao.
When the priest asks if she feels remorse, Leyre’s response reveals her character’s journey. She states that killing Vanesa with her own hands was the best thing she ever did. Regarding her affair with Julen, she admits it wasn’t morally right but expresses no regret about the physical relationship itself.
Character Dynamics
The film explores how ordinary people react when pushed beyond their moral boundaries. Leyre transforms from a somewhat airheaded housewife into someone capable of murder. Her maternal instinct to protect Asier overrides every other consideration, including her conscience.
Julen’s infatuation with Leyre adds a layer of inappropriate attraction that complicates the already tangled relationships. His youth and romantic idealization of Leyre contrast with the grim reality of the crimes surrounding them.
Susana represents calculated evil—someone who views crime as business and eliminates obstacles with cold efficiency. Unlike Leyre’s reactive violence, Susana’s actions stem from careful planning and self-interest.
Vanesa occupies a middle ground, driven by greed and the desire to maintain her lifestyle but ultimately outmaneuvered by both Leyre’s desperation and Susana’s cunning.
The Investigation’s Blind Spots
Inspectors Galarza and Juantxu face a case where nearly every person they interview has reasons to lie. The corruption scheme, the family dynamics, and the cover-up create layers of deception that make finding the truth nearly impossible.
Galarza’s acceptance of a bribe compromises the investigation from within. His corruption mirrors the broader theme of moral compromise that permeates the film. By the end, justice hasn’t truly been served—the guilty parties have simply rearranged the narrative to suit their needs.
Setting and Atmosphere
Set in Bilbao and surrounding areas of Biscay, the film uses the modern, bustling city as a backdrop for its dark comedy. The urban environment contrasts with the intimate, domestic nature of the crimes. Locations include Getxo, Portugalete, and Madrid, with the iconic Puente Colgante appearing in several scenes.
Director Gracia Querejeta shot the film in 2017, bringing together an ensemble cast of well-known Spanish actors. The production involved Telecinco Cinema, Bowfinger International Pictures, and other production companies, with distribution by Universal Pictures International Spain.
The Film’s Reception
Upon its theatrical release on October 5, 2018, the film earned $3.39 million at the global box office. Critics offered mixed reviews, with an IMDb rating of 5.3 out of 10 reflecting the divided response.
Several reviewers praised Maribel Verdú’s performance, noting her ability to carry the film despite an uneven script. Critics compared the movie to Coen Brothers’ work and films like “Clue” and “Murder by Death,” though most agreed it fell short of those benchmarks.
Some found the tone inconsistent, struggling to balance black comedy with the darker elements of murder and corruption. Others appreciated the attempt to place women in roles typically reserved for men in crime films, though opinions differed on the execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Ola de crímenes?
Gracia Querejeta directed the film. This marked her fourth collaboration with lead actress Maribel Verdú, following their work together on “Siete mesas de billar francés,” “15 años y un día,” and “Felices 140.” The screenplay was written by Luis Marías, who specializes in comedy scripts.
What genre is Ola de crímenes?
The film is classified as a black comedy or dark comedy with crime thriller elements. It attempts to find humor in murder, corruption, and moral compromise while maintaining a coherent plot about escalating criminal activity.
Where can I watch Ola de crímenes?
The film is available for streaming on Netflix and for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It was initially distributed theatrically by Universal Pictures International Spain before moving to streaming platforms.
Is Ola de crímenes based on a true story?
No, the film is entirely fictional. The screenplay by Luis Marías presents an original story, though the corruption elements reflect real concerns about financial crime in Spain. The exaggerated chain of murders serves the black comedy genre rather than depicting actual events.
Ola de crímenes works as an ensemble piece where each character’s attempt to solve their problems creates new complications for everyone else. Leyre’s maternal desperation, Susana’s calculated manipulation, and the investigators’ compromised pursuit of justice intersect in ways that spiral increasingly out of control. The film ends with most characters having escaped legal consequences despite their crimes, leaving the priest as the only witness to the full truth of what transpired in Bilbao.