Summary
Tin & Tina is an overwrought morbid tale of nature versus nurture.
Here is our review of the 2023 Netflix horror film Tin & Tina, which does not contain significant spoilers.
The Spanish psychological horror thriller, Tin & Tina, takes religious zealotry to unabashed new heights. Written and directed by Goya-nominated filmmaker Rubin Stein, it maintains a sense of grounded realism by using divinity as a persuasive force guiding the characters’ lives.
However, the film’s excessive running time, a common feature in Spanish horror cinema, overwhelms viewers with repetitive horror themes and tones.
Tin & Tina (2023) Review and Plot Summary
Tin & Tina follows a young couple, Lola (Milena Smit) and Adolfo (Jaime Lorente), who, after their wedding, lose their children (they were expecting twins) during Lola’s pregnancy. They receive the unfortunate news that due to a medical procedure, Lola will never be able to have children of their own. This leaves their home empty, which is the same home Adolfo grew up in.
Lola has been feeling depressed. Adolfo convinces Lola to go with him to the local orphanage, run by Catholic nuns so that they can adopt. Lola is initially against the idea.
However, Lola sees two siblings, Tin (Carlos González Morollón) and Tina (Anastasia Russo), who sing beautifully but religiously follow the Holy Bible to the letter. The couple adopts the children but soon finds their lives in danger.
Tin & Tina is an adaptation of Stein’s short film of the same name. The original endeavor, with a delightful tagline of “Tin and Tina are not eating the purée tonight,” achieves more and brings enjoyment in its twelve-minute duration than the feature-length film’s time frame.
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Almost every scene in the movie is overplayed, focusing on reviving a 70s pseudo-gothic horror genre, with settings in the house, hospital, and orphanage that become excessive within its prolonged time frame. It also doesn’t help that these kids are very bad and do things no children should ever do. Killing a dog in film or television is a cardinal rule that is broken very early here.
The excessive and exaggerated ominous tone of Tin & Tina detracts from much of the enjoyment. However, I must acknowledge that Stein has a natural talent for deceit, skillfully setting up his film for a nature versus nurture argument that almost swayed me. If you have ever sat and read the Holy Bible, no child should read it.
These siblings take the meaning of God’s words so literally that they engage in terrible actions, believing they are fulfilling God’s will. It presents an exciting argument, combining exploring psychosocial issues during upbringing with a biblical guidebook for life with a heavy hand.
Stein analyzes themes of faith, eugenics, and the zealotry of indoctrinating children under the banner of heaven, if you will.
Is Tin & Tina Good or Bad?
Tin & Tina is an underwhelming mixed bag in the horror genre. Stein’s film is excessively too long and is in desperate need of some stylized jump scares. While I usually can get on board with an ambiguous ending, the one here does the film no favors.
Is Tin & Tina Worth Watching?
Tin & Tina will no doubt be worth watching for fans of the horror genre. However, many may find this entry into the psychological horror genre overwrought with biblical themes and 70s-stylized horror.
What did you think of the 2023 Netflix film Tin & Tina? Comment below.
