Loss of a loved one hits differently across cultures, and Forestera explores grief from the perspective of a young Spanish woman while on holiday in Mallorca. Cata (Zoe Stein) and her sister Eva (Martina García) are clearly enjoying their time with their grandma Catalina (Marta Angelat) and grandpa Tomeu (Lluís Homar). They have a special bond with their abuela (grandma), especially since their mom is off working in Madrid. Cata is the one who discovered her grandma, whom she’s named after, lying lifeless in the front yard. This loss hits her hard, but Cata deals with her grief internally, while her grandpa is openly devastated by the loss.

Forastera is a term used by locals in Mallorca to describe Spaniards from the mainland who visit the island. It carries a dual meaning since Cata is not just a stranger to the island, but she also becomes somewhat ‘estranged’ from herself mentally as she starts to connect with her grandma’s spirit. This beautiful, dreamlike feature, written and directed by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias, is her debut film, developed from her short film.

As Cata tries on her grandma’s vintage dresses, it seems to spark something within her as she begins to take on the persona of the elder Catalina. Initially, it’s subtle, but soon Cata starts to speak like her grandma, smoking her cigarettes, and even starts to become interested in cooking when she didn’t care for it before. Cata’s mother, Pepa (Núria Prims), also notices something odd when her daughter is playing dress-up and tells her not to wear her grandma’s clothes. 

Cata has a bit of a rebellious side, which is common for teenagers. She just wants to hang out with her summer love, Max (Nonni Ardal Hammarström), who is also a stranger on the island from Sweden, but her grief often takes over. She begins to sense that she’s going through what her grandma went through, like the trauma her abuela experienced involving a dead octopus. She tries to console her grandpa, who is clearly struggling with the loss of his wife. However, it can be a bit confusing for Tomeu when Cata acts and speaks to him like his late wife.

While I was watching it, I found myself wondering if Cata is mimicking her grandmother to deal with her loss or if her abuela’s ghost is actually inhabiting her. Iglesias intentionally leaves it up to the audience to interpret. Forastera is an unconventional ghost story, and it’s the type I enjoy since it’s not really a horror film, even though it has some eerie elements. There’s a subtle elegance in how the story unfolds, although some viewers might find its languid pace challenging. Others might argue that ‘nothing happens’ in this film, but it’s filled with fascinating details about this family in mourning. At first, the relationship between Cata and her mother is tense, possibly because her mom is too focused on her career. However, there’s a touching moment between them when Cata admits she hasn’t been able to cry over her grandma’s passing.

Stein is impressive as Cata; there’s a subtle yet powerful shift as she becomes more ‘possessed’ by her abuela’s spirit. She comes across as wise beyond her years, almost as if she’s taken on the confidence of an older, more experienced woman. On top of that, losing someone dear at such a young age can also push a person to mature more quickly. Stein has a commanding presence on screen and really shines under Iglesias’ direction. 

Mallorca feels like a character in its own right, with DP Agnès Piqué Corbera beautifully capturing the sun-drenched island’s charm, which can sometimes feel as foreboding as it is beguiling. Iglesias’ debut effectively portrays the intergenerational relationship in an authentic way. The narrative and dialogue resonate with a personal touch; perhaps she might have drawn from real-life experiences to write this story. The ghostly elements aren’t overly dramatic but are genuinely touching. The film makes you think about the people we’ve lost that we wish we could say goodbye to. More than that, it makes me reflect on the profound losses in my own life that have helped shape who I am.

---

Opens in limited theatrical release this Friday, May 29,
with national rollout to follow