Disappear Completely: The Haunting Horror Film Hiding on Netflix

This psychological horror gem from Mexico deserves more attention.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:39pm

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Disappear Completely, a 2022 horror film directed by Luis Javier Henaine, is a hidden gem on Netflix that has struggled to find a wider audience despite critical acclaim. The film follows Santiago, a photojournalist who falls victim to a disturbing curse after capturing a gruesome crime scene, slowly losing his five senses. As Santiago races to find a cure, the film explores themes of photography, mortality, and his troubled relationship with his pregnant girlfriend Marce. With its immersive, realistic style and focus on the protagonist's personal struggles, Disappear Completely is a powerful and unsettling horror experience that deserves more recognition.

Why it matters

Disappear Completely is a standout horror film that offers a fresh, character-driven take on the genre. By placing the audience directly in the protagonist's shoes, the film creates an immersive and deeply unsettling viewing experience. The film's exploration of photography as a form of entrapment and its examination of Santiago's troubled personal life add layers of depth and emotional resonance to the horror.

The details

In Disappear Completely, Santiago, a crime scene photographer who sells disturbing images to tabloids, is cursed after capturing a gruesome scene involving a living but unresponsive politician. As the curse takes hold, Santiago begins to slowly lose his five senses, racing against time to find a cure. The film blends urban crime thriller elements with folk horror, incorporating themes of witchcraft, superstition, and political corruption. Santiago's relationship with his pregnant girlfriend, Marce, becomes central to the story as he struggles with the decision to save his own senses or sacrifice his unborn child to the demonic entity.

  • Disappear Completely premiered at Austin's Fantastic Fest in 2022.
  • The film debuted on Netflix in April 2024.

The players

Luis Javier Henaine

The director of Disappear Completely, who aimed to create an immersive, realistic horror experience that would put the audience in the protagonist's shoes.

Harold Torres

The actor who portrays the lead character, Santiago, a photojournalist cursed with the slow loss of his senses.

Tete Espinoza

The actress who plays Marce, Santiago's pregnant girlfriend, whose desire to have a child conflicts with Santiago's curse.

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What they’re saying

“Here in Mexico, witchcraft is something that people take very seriously and something very, very real for the majority of our population. And I like to reflect that in a way. So, all the time, I was trying to say, 'Okay, this has to look real, this has to feel real, this has to be very realistic.'”

— Luis Javier Henaine, Director (Eye For Film)

“I thought it would be great to just when, when he starts losing his sense of hearing, just play slowly with the whole film as well, make it subjective, put the audience in the character's mind.”

— Luis Javier Henaine, Director (Eye For Film)

What’s next

The film continues to build an audience on Netflix, with the potential for greater recognition and awards consideration in the future.

The takeaway

Disappear Completely is a powerful and unsettling horror film that deserves more attention. By immersing the audience in the protagonist's personal struggles and the disturbing consequences of his profession, the film offers a fresh and emotionally resonant take on the genre that lingers long after viewing.