Evelyn (Aina Dumlao) is the live-in caregiver to Dena Regan (Jayne Taini) in rural Texas. Ms. Regan is more or less bedridden with Evelyn having to assist with getting up to sit in a chair, navigate her walker, and with all bathroom activities. Evelyn's nephew Amos (Jon Viktor Capuz) has come to stay temporary. He is enrolled in school locally but currently facing suspension. He wants to be a boxer and is always out for a run in the community. The family is reliant on the post office for mail and news. Evelyn goes there regularly to gather everything meant for the Regan home. Dena's son Clem (Justin Arnold) an Afghanistan vet lives on the property in a trailer. Evelyn can see him from the kitchen window wandering around the property drinking beer. He was his mother's main caregiver before the burden became too much and Evelyn was brought in.
Something is not right in the home. Noises can be heard over the 80's era intercom system and Evelyn appears to be talking to someone in her room. She is also not happy that Amos is present in the home accusing him of stealing a pendant going so far as to question him directly on the issue. Amos is also suffering from heath issues of his own. He often vomits at the end of his runs. Evelyn wants him to pay attention to is schoolwork but he is not interested. Evelyn's sister calls and the pair argue over Amos' living arrangements. Evelyn has something important that she needs to tell him that her sister pushes her to do.
Sanzaru translates from Japanese to the three monkeys there is even a gaming company that uses a monkey as their logo. In the traditional sense, the Monkeys are visuals for see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. A hint towards Regan's family secrets buried in the past that have resurfaced in the house and though Dena increasingly unstable mental state. Mr. Sanzaru is also the name on many of the items in a Post office P.O. Box belonging to the Regan's that Evelyn discovers.
Director Xia Magnus uses several elements to illustrate the reach from beyond into the home. Dena cockatiel acts as a conduit and glows brightly when the spiritual elements strongly appear. Amos also continues be become sicker in the home drifting towards a comatose state. Then there is Dena's accidents and wanderings one incident in particular that will take hold of the viewer when it plays out on screen. The last and probably the best tool is Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs' score to raise anxiety levels and to indicate that a presence has firmly taken hold.
Sanzaru is a story of family secrets and how a home will hold the echos of evil doing that has occurred on the premises. Ani Dumalo turns in an excellent performance as Evelyn maintains her calm and professional manner despite all that is occurring around her. As she deals with the members of the Regan family learning of their buried ugly past she also has some secrets of her own that need to be confronted and set right.
*** Out of 4.
Sanzaru | Xia Magnus | U.S.A. | 2020 | 100 Minutes.
Tags: Caregiver, School Suspension, Rural Texas, P.O. Box, Cockatiel, Intercom, Bed Sores, Hidden Room, Three Monkeys.
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