A Haunting Reflection on Motherhood and Self: Huesera: The Bone Woman Review
Huesera: The Bone Woman
Directed by: Michelle Garza Cervera
Starring: Natalia Solián, Alfonso Dosal, and Mayra Batalla
Another tale of motherhood depicted with both sinister undertones and deep empathy. Michelle Garza Cervera approaches the notion of motherhood from a non-conformist lens, exploring identity and autonomy through haunting, surreal imagery, patient pacing, and evocative dialogue.
Valeria Hernández (Natalia Solián) is recently blessed at a Virgin Mary statue to ensure a successful pregnancy. What follows is a journey of self-discovery—one that bridges the tension between her adolescent identity and the expectations of impending motherhood. Cervera frames pregnancy not only through the physical and emotional toll it takes but also through the psychological strain of repressing one’s true self.
Solián delivers a nuanced performance as Valeria, embodying the vulnerability of a woman grappling with her sense of identity. As the pregnancy progresses, she experiences a series of surreal and nightmarish events: faceless figures with contorted limbs, unsettling encounters with children, spiders infesting her space, and the unsettling sound of her constant knuckle-cracking. These manifestations reflect Valeria’s internal conflict and unraveling mental state as she’s forced to confront the life she’s left behind.
Cervera skillfully explores the consequences of societal expectations imposed on women, particularly mothers. As the story unfolds, we learn that Valeria abandoned a rebellious past, including a romantic relationship with her ex-lover Octavia (Mayra Batalla). The dissonance between her former self and the role she’s expected to fulfill as a mother adds to the film’s emotional weight. Her craftsmanship as a carpenter hints at a lingering sense of independence, but her growing discomfort with the life she’s building—both literally and figuratively—exposes the cracks beneath the surface.
The film’s true horror isn’t the supernatural imagery—it’s the emotional turmoil of realizing you may not want the life you’ve chosen. Cervera and Solián work in tandem to elevate these themes. Solián’s portrayal of Valeria captures the quiet terror of questioning one’s path, while the supporting cast reinforces this tension. Alfonso Dosal plays Raúl, her excited but oblivious husband, contrasting sharply with Batalla’s Octavia, who represents the life Valeria once had.
Visually, Huesera is stunning. Cervera paints Mexico as both haunting and beautiful, grounding the film’s psychological horror in a rich cultural backdrop. The deliberate pacing mirrors the emotional highs and lows of pregnancy and rediscovering oneself. The film is less about the horror of becoming a mother and more about the existential fear of losing oneself in the process.
With Huesera: The Bone Woman, Michelle Garza Cervera delivers a bold and provocative exploration of motherhood, self-identity, and societal pressure. Natalia Solián anchors the film with a raw and powerful performance, making Valeria’s journey as haunting as it is deeply human. This female-driven film cements Cervera and Solián as powerhouses in Mexican cinema, offering a feminist narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.