Anti-hero in “Piggy” Makes The Audience Care And Feel for Her

Synopsis: An overweight teen is bullied by a clique of cool girls poolside while holidaying in her village. The long walk home will change the rest of her life.
Director: Carlotta Pereda
Stars: Laura Galan, Claudia Salas, Pilar Castro

Perfectly timed for an October release, Piggy, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, is now in theatres.

In the film, we meet Sara, played by Laura Galan. Sara works at her family’s butcher shop and keeps a low profile. Sara is overweight and is the victim of excessive bullying. She is constantly teased because of her weight, and the mean girls she encounters even call her ‘Piggy.’ She has had to modify her life as a result of it. She must be careful when walking down the street or going to the neighbourhood pool for a swim. The girls she encounters are very cruel. They steal her clothes, mock and constantly insult her. She is often in tears and feels there is no reprieve in sight.

You would think that director Carlotta Pereda wanted to make a commentary on how we treat people, but they are going deeper. Much deeper.

One day, Sara is walking home after being bullied and observes her tormentors being kidnapped. They are placed in a van, which drives off. The police investigate the disappearance and ask Sara if she has seen anything, and she stays quiet.

The film does a great job of examining Sara's dilemma. On the one hand, she knows the right thing is to report what she saw to the police, but she also feels that her bullies are getting what they deserve.

This movie is a breath of fresh air, which seems like an odd way to describe a horror, but I love how Sara is constructed. As an outsider, it’s easy to say what she should do, but from her point of view, the point of view of someone who was been ridiculed without mercy, the decision isn’t so easy.

Laura Galan’s portrayal of Sara is exceptional. The movie truly hangs on her shoulders. She makes the audience care and feels for her as she is being bullied. I’ve heard this film referred to as feminist horror, and I can’t say I disagree. Sara is an anti-hero, and the audience may struggle with her decisions, but that’s part of what sets this film apart.

Piggy is a fantastic film that will leave a mark and won’t be soon forgotten.

Grade: B+

Watch the movie trailer: