GFF 2013: Sleep Tight

Luis Tosar's performance is central to the success of Sleep Tight, a taut psychological thriller set in an upmarket apartment block. Tosar plays Cesar, a polite, well-mannered concierge with one specific intent: to make the people around him as unhappy as he is. His focus is primarily on Clara (Marta Etura), a young woman who appears to be the eternal optimist; no matter what he does to her, Cesar cannot seem to break her spirit.

Having excelled at playing a charismatic yet terrifying felon in Cell 211 (2009), Tosar continues to be a powerful on screen presence, disguising layers of darkness beneath an affable exterior. Yet the atmosphere never matches the sinister tone of Tosar's performance and, although his actions towards Clara become increasingly horrible, the most effective moment of cruelty occurs in a scene between him and Veronica, a lonely old lady. Here, Cesar reveals his monstrous nature with the truth – preying on her insecurities, this exchange is more upsetting than any of the vicious deeds carried out on his love interest. [Becky Bartlett]