The Aura

Main Plot

"The Aura," directed by Fabián Bielinsky, is a psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a solitary taxidermist with a penchant for planning the perfect heist. The film unfolds in the Patagonian wilderness, where the protagonist, during a hunting trip, accidentally kills a man who turns out to be a criminal mastermind. This unexpected event thrusts him into a real-life heist plot that the deceased had meticulously planned. As the taxidermist becomes entangled in the criminal underworld, he is drawn to the thrill of executing the heist himself, despite his inexperience and the inherent dangers. The narrative explores themes of obsession, the allure of crime, and the thin line between fantasy and reality. The protagonist's meticulous nature and his struggle with epilepsy, which he refers to as "the aura" preceding his seizures, add layers of tension and unpredictability to the story. The film is a study of isolation and the human desire for control, set against the backdrop of a morally ambiguous world. It combines elements of suspense and introspection, leading to a gripping and thought-provoking conclusion that challenges the viewer's perceptions of fate and free will.

Characters

• Ricardo Darín plays Esteban Espinosa, a taxidermist with epilepsy who becomes entangled in a heist after accidentally killing a criminal mastermind.
• Manuel Rodal is a taxidermist with epilepsy who becomes entangled in a heist plot after accidentally killing a criminal mastermind.
• Dolores Fonzi plays Diana Dietrich, a key character who becomes entangled in the protagonist's accidental involvement in a heist, adding emotional depth and complexity to the plot.

Ending Explained

In the film's conclusion, the protagonist, an epileptic taxidermist, finds himself deeply entangled in a heist plot that he initially stumbled upon by accident. Throughout the movie, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea of executing the perfect crime, driven by his meticulous nature and photographic memory. As the plan unfolds, he faces numerous challenges, including dealing with the criminal associates of the man he inadvertently killed, who was the original mastermind of the heist. In the climax, the protagonist attempts to carry out the heist himself, but his epilepsy becomes a critical obstacle. During the robbery, he experiences a seizure, which jeopardizes the entire operation. Despite this setback, he manages to regain control and complete the heist, but not without consequences. The film ends with him standing alone in the forest, having successfully evaded capture but left to grapple with the moral and psychological implications of his actions. The ending highlights the protagonist's isolation and the hollow victory of achieving his goal. It underscores the theme of obsession and the cost of pursuing one's ambitions at the expense of personal well-being and ethical boundaries. The film leaves viewers contemplating the fine line between fantasy and reality, and the unforeseen consequences of stepping beyond it.