Rosa Peral’s Tapes Netflix Review - A Truthful Admission or a Deceptive Fabrication?

Rosa Peral’s Tapes is a true-crime documentary film that features Rosa Peral’s first interview from prison since she was sentenced for murdering her partner, Pedro Rodriguez, assisted by an ex-lover, Albert Lopez, in 20201. The film, directed by Carles Vidal and Manuel Perez, challenges the common view of the case and raises questions about the fairness of the trial and the reliability of the evidence.

The film starts with a brief introduction of the case, which shocked the public for its cruelty and complexity. Three members of the Civil Guard, a Spanish law enforcement agency, were involved in a love triangle that ended with one of them dead, his body burned and thrown into a swamp. The main suspect was Rosa Peral, who had a turbulent relationship with Pedro Rodriguez and was allegedly having an affair with Albert Lopez, another colleague. The prosecution argued that Rosa and Albert planned and executed the murder together, motivated by jealousy and greed. They based their case on several pieces of evidence, such as phone records, DNA traces, CCTV footage, and most importantly, a series of audio recordings that Rosa made during her conversations with Albert.

The film then proceeds to present Rosa’s version of the events, through her interview from prison. She denies any involvement in the murder and accuses Albert of being the sole perpetrator. She claims that he manipulated her into believing that he loved her and that he was innocent. She also alleges that he threatened her and her family if she did not cooperate with him. She explains that the audio recordings were part of his scheme to incriminate her and that they were taken out of context or edited by him. She challenges the validity of the other evidence and points out the inconsistencies and contradictions in the investigation and the trial. She portrays herself as a victim of a miscarriage of justice and a media lynching.

The film also interviews other people related to the case, such as lawyers, journalists, experts, witnesses, friends, and family members. Some of them support Rosa’s claims and question the verdict, while others refute them and defend the conviction. The film does not take a clear stance on whether Rosa is guilty or innocent, but rather exposes the different perspectives and arguments on both sides. It also explores the psychological aspects of the case, such as the personality traits, motives, emotions, and behaviors of the main characters. It tries to understand what drove them to act in certain ways and how they cope with the consequences.

Rosa Peral’s Tapes is an intriguing and controversial documentary film that delves into one of the most notorious crimes in recent Spanish history. It offers a rare insight into the mind of a convicted murderer and challenges the viewers to question their own beliefs and biases. It also exposes the flaws and limitations of the judicial system and the media in dealing with complex and controversial cases. The film is well-directed, well-edited, and well-paced, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued throughout. The interview with Rosa is especially compelling, as she reveals details and emotions that were not known before. The film also uses archival footage, photos, reenactments, animations, and music to create a vivid and immersive atmosphere.

Rosa Peral’s Tapes is a fascinating and controversial documentary film that examines a complex and shocking case from multiple angles. It invites the viewers to think critically about the facts and opinions presented and to form their own conclusions. It also raises ethical and social issues about justice, truth, media, violence, love, betrayal, and manipulation. It is a film that will not leave anyone indifferent or uninterested.

Final Score – [7/10]
Reviewed by - Arpita Mondal
Follow @ArpitaMond33387 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times