Psychological Horror Narcisa’s Will (PANIC) Uncovers Familial Secrets
Title: Narcisa’s Will
First Non-Festival Release: May 14, 2026 (Theatrical Release)
Director: Clarissa Appelt, Daniel Dias
Writer: Clarissa Appelt, Daniel Dias
Runtime: 88 Minutes
Starring: Paolla Oliveira, Rosemaria Murtinho, Pedro Henrique Müller
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
This film’s review was written after its screening at the Panic Film Festival in 2026.
Many people fear turning into their parents. Whether it is a fear of aging, losing loved ones, or resentment towards treatment or abuse, there are plenty of reasons to find the thought unsettling. So, they either make conscious choices to carve their own path or follow their same patterns.
That’s true for Ana (Paolla Oliveira). After a complicated childhood with her mother, Narcisa (Rosemaria Murtinho), Ana must deal with her crumbling estate after she passes. The intensity of the labor makes it so the only time she interrogates her emotions is when her nomadic brother Diego (Pedro Henrique Müller) visits. Ana tries to hide her intentions from Diego to sell the home, split the money with Diego, and live the life she dreamed for herself. Instead, she’s forced to contend with another problem, which may or may not be her dead mother’s ghost haunting the dressing room upstairs.
A delightfully muted horror drama, Narcisa’s Will is a well-made but plodding examination of the cycle of grief.
Part supernatural, part psychological, and entirely slow-burn, Narcisa’s Will is a curious little Brazilian horror drama that doesn’t set out to reinvent the wheel. Instead, Narcisa’s Will takes on the understandable frustrations and fears that arise when a parent passes and one is left to take care of their affairs. As Ana works on the house, she finds herself growing closer to her mother, even if she doesn’t fully appreciate it in the moment. With each box broken down or item tossed, the weight of the decisions pushes down on Ana. Eventually, it takes over to the point where Ana begins to find herself changing too.
This is where Narcisa’s Will gets interesting, presenting the idea that Ana is slowly being possessed by her own mother. While definitive answers are certainly made, Narcisa’s Will is more concerned with understanding the motivations behind both mother and daughter. Ana fights against the subtle changes even before knowing where it might go. Her refusal to accept the lingering pieces of her mother only lead to bigger plays made for her attention. The push-pull substitutes for traditional scares, as Narcisa isn’t exactly trying to scare Ana away.
The horror is extraordinarily light in Narcisa’s Will, opting to use the supernatural as a vehicle to discuss the ways in which motherhood is a circular experience. Ana’s initial all-business attitude slowly softens as she begins working on the house. The more time she spends there, the more she is unsettled but she cannot seem to leave. Her psychological turmoil takes priority to more traditional scares so Narcisa’s Will focuses on building that atmosphere through costuming and set design.
A character in of itself, the house behind Narcisa’s Will becomes its most interesting element, taking away most of the attention from the actual story. From the first frame inside, it’s clear that Narcisa held a deep reverence for her home. Imbued with every ounce of personality, the home springs to life through color and texture. Beautifully designed, the decor doesn’t just speak to aesthetics but Narcisa herself. What is important to her, what isn’t, and everything in between, placing emphasis on the more indulgent aspects of life and career. There’s a hominess that overshadows any of the strange or neglected parts of the house. The idea is taken further with the ways the home interacts with Ana as she works. Locking doors, moving objects, and sending invitations for her to explore further, it’s hard to believe Narcisa is even dead with how the house speaks to Ana.
Enjoyable enough, Narcisa’s Will is a haunting horror drama that captivates with its simmering approach to supernatural horror. Favoring effective production design over visceral scares, Narcisa’s Will is an offbeat, atmospheric haunter. Not every genre fan will be satisfied with its muted brand of horror but those willing to sit on its wavelength will enjoy a relatable story about the horror and joy of parental influence on one’s life.
Overall Score? 6/10
