Is Veronica Based on a True Story? Know the Real-Life Inspiration

Verónica

Verónica is a Spanish horror movie directed by Paco Plaza and released in 2017. The film is loosely based on true events that occurred in Madrid in the early 1990s. The story revolves around Verónica, a teenage girl who lives with her mother and three younger siblings. After participating in a seance with her friends during a solar eclipse, Verónica begins experiencing supernatural occurrences in her home. Strange and terrifying events unfold, leading Verónica to believe that an evil presence has entered her life.

As the paranormal activity intensifies, Verónica seeks help from her school’s caring but skeptical psychologist and her younger sister’s teacher, who has knowledge of occult rituals. Together, they try to uncover the truth behind the haunting and find a way to protect Verónica and her family from the malevolent forces. Throughout the movie, Verónica becomes increasingly isolated and tormented by the sinister presence, which targets her and her loved ones.

Is Veronica Based On a True Story?

The movie “Veronica” is often associated with the claim that it is based on a true story. However, it is essential to clarify that the film takes inspiration from a series of mysterious events that occurred in Madrid in the early 1990s, rather than being a direct retelling of a true story.

The events that supposedly inspired the movie were widely reported in the Spanish media in the early 1990s. According to the reports, a young girl in Madrid named Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro had attempted to use an Ouija board and subsequently experienced supernatural phenomena. These alleged events were investigated by paranormal researchers and gained some attention in the media.

While the movie “Veronica” draws inspiration from these reports, it is important to note that the film takes significant artistic liberties and embellishments to create a horror narrative. The director, Paco Plaza, has stated that the movie is a fictional account and not a direct retelling of the events.

Therefore, while the movie “Veronica” may be loosely based on real events and claims to be inspired by a true story, it is not a completely accurate portrayal of the events that occurred. It is best regarded as a work of fiction that draws inspiration from reported incidents and uses them as a basis for creating a horror film.

Veronica Plot

The film “Verónica” begins with emergency services responding to a distress call from a frightened girl who mentions a threat to her brother. The story then shifts three days earlier, focusing on Verónica, a 15-year-old girl living with her mother and three younger siblings in Madrid. Verónica’s father recently passed away, and her mother works long hours, leaving her responsible for her siblings. On the day of a solar eclipse, Verónica and her friends conduct a séance using an Ouija board in the basement. 

During the séance, something goes wrong, and Verónica becomes unresponsive. From that point on, she experiences paranormal activities and seeks answers from an elderly blind nun. Verónica discovers that a dark spirit has attached itself to her and begins to harm her and her siblings. Desperate to free herself and protect her family, Verónica attempts to hold another séance, but things go awry, and she realizes she has been possessed by the demon all along. 

In a final act of desperation, she tries to end the possession but is prevented by the demon. The film ends with Verónica being taken away by medics while a detective reports the paranormal events witnessed in Madrid. It is revealed that the movie is based on true events documented in Spain’s first police report of paranormal activity.

The film blends elements of psychological horror, possession, and supernatural suspense to create a chilling atmosphere. “Verónica” received positive reviews for its atmospheric tension, strong performances, and effective scares. It gained international recognition and became one of the most popular Spanish horror films in recent years.

Veronica Ending Explained 

At the end of the movie “Verónica,” after a series of paranormal events and Verónica’s possession by a demon, the story takes a chilling turn. Verónica, realizing that she has been under the control of the demon and has been harming her siblings, attempts to end the possession by slitting her own throat. However, the demon prevents her from doing so.

At that moment, the police arrive at the scene and witness Verónica being attacked by an invisible force. They intervene and carry her and her younger brother, Antoñito, out of the apartment. As they do, a shaken detective observes a photograph of Verónica suddenly catching fire.

The film then fast-forwards to five years later in 1996, where the detective reports unexplained paranormal activities occurring in Madrid. This suggests that the supernatural occurrences related to Verónica’s possession and the presence of the dark spirit continued even after her death.

The movie’s ending leaves viewers with a sense of lingering horror, indicating that the events depicted were based on true events as documented in Spain’s first police report of paranormal activity. It leaves room for speculation and reflection on the nature of the supernatural and the enduring presence of dark forces in the world.

Veronica Trailer