Netflix has officially announced “My Sad Dead” (“Mis muertos tristes”), a new four-part horror drama miniseries helmed by acclaimed Chilean director Pablo Larraín and co-produced by his Chilean label Fabula and Argentina’s K&S Films, producers of the streamer’s recent global mega-hit “The Eternaut.”
The new series, based on the short story of the same name by Argentine author Mariana Enríquez, is set to begin filming at the end of June. Filming will take place in Buenos Aires for exteriors and Santiago, Chile for interiors.
Described as a psychological and supernatural horror story rooted in societal trauma, “My Sad Dead” draws not only from Enríquez’s titular tale, but also incorporates characters and themes from her other works, including “Julie”, “A Sunny Place for Shady People” and “Back When We Talked to the Dead.” The story was adapted for the screen by Enríquez herself, along with celebrated Chilean writer Guillermo Calderón (“Neruda,” “The Club”), Anastasia Ayazi and Larraín.
“My Sad Dead” features a star-studded Argentine cast led by Mercedes Morán (“Neruda,” “The Swamp”), Dolores Fonzi (“Paulina,” “Truman”) and Alejandra Flechner (“Argentina 1985,” “The Loast Brother”), who are joined by Carlos Portaluppi, Germán de Silva, Luz Jiménez and newcomer Carolina Sánchez Álvarez in her debut role.
Mercedes Morán, Dolores Fonzi and Alejandra Flechner
Credit: Alejandra Lopez, Camila Fortunato
Netflix’s official synopsis reads: “Ema, a 60-year-old doctor, can see and hear the dead. She calls them ‘presences’ and has lived her entire life avoiding letting this gift connect her with the suffering of others. But when her niece Julie, a disturbed young woman who can also communicate with the dead, but in a much more intense and sexual manner, arrives at her house, Ema is forced to get involved. What begins as a family reunion turns into a disturbing chain of events that alters the balance between the world of the living and the dead, infecting an entire neighborhood with voices from beyond. As the borders between life, death and desire blur, Ema will have to confront her past, her daughter and the ghosts she never let go.”
Of the upcoming adaptation, Larraín said: “Mariana’s writing is particularly visual, always brilliant and always dangerous. It’s a casual, domestic horror that inspires and will inspire many film and television adaptations. I’m grateful to Netflix for the opportunity to work with this team of people I admire and who will undoubtedly do everything possible to make the best miniseries possible.”
Enríquez expressed her own excitement, “I am very happy that Pablo Larraín and Fabula are giving me the honor of adapting my stories into a single miniseries. I personally enjoy adaptations; I think they are readings, and I also have high expectations for this reading of ‘My Sad Dead.’ The entire process was very calm and respectful, and the fact that it’s being released on a platform with the reach that Netflix has is breathtaking, along with the satisfaction of producing locally in Latin America.”
Francisco Ramos, VP of Netflix Latin American Content, emphasized the platform’s commitment to regional storytelling: “Our growing commitment to the best Argentine stories takes on added meaning with the addition of one of Latin America’s most important directors behind this new project. Working with Pablo Larraín to bring Mariana Enríquez’s stories to the screen seemed like a natural fit.”
“My Sad Dead” is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín and Ángela Poblete, with executive production by Álvaro Cabello and Cristián Donoso. Key department heads include Sergio Armstrong (cinematography), Rodrigo Bazaes (production design), Waldo Salgado (assistant director) and Alejandro Wise (production director).