Mexico, October 2nd, 1968, A bus station 5 hours outside Mexico City. An ominous thunderstorm, a torrential downpour, and a group of strangers trapped by seemingly chance circumstances. The strangely comforting narrator predicts doom for the characters we are about to meet as we are introduced to the location, the time, even the weather. Suddenly a mysterious “virus” begins to spread among those in the cavernous station and it is with increasing suspicion that the panicked travelers must figure out what is going on, and how/if they can survive. A throwback to the engaging serial mystery anthologies with a set of characters trapped by seemingly chance circumstances who are attempting to solve a mystery.

The Similars is written and directed by Isaac Ezban who’s affection for shows like The Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, pours from the screen. As the movie begins things seem relatively calm. Sure there is a thunderstorm outside but really, that means nothing. That is, unless you are listening to the radio and how officials are talking about a mysterious illness that is spreading during a freak storm. One by one the ensemble of travelers arrives at the station. There are the Policeman (Luis Alberti), Gertrudis (Carmen Beato), Martín (Fernando Becerril), Álvaro (Humberto Busto), and Irene (Cassandra Ciangherotti). All have their own reasons for needing to get out of dodge, yet, by the time this story is over they will have a common enemy.

In a very sly homage to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a bizarre malady is overtaking each person. Soon everyone is turning on one another in a fight for survival that is triggering panic. What is this sickness? Why is there a relentless thunderstorm that is literally bringing all transportation to a halt? Is there a way out?

What makes The Similars remarkable though is how it perfectly captures the look and feel of the televised suspense dramas while bringing something entirely new to the table. Ezban knows how to very capture the vintage mystery feel by giving the film a grainy, sepia tone look complete with pops and scratches littering the film as it plays out. The score by Edy Lan also ads to the depth of craftsmanship in a sumptuous, reference to Bernard Herman’s work on films like Psycho and North by Northwest. And yet still, the film peels out with a gnarly Sci-Fi/Horror metaphor on conformity and paranoia.

If you are looking for something different, nostalgic, highly atmospheric, and entertaining, watch The Similars. It feels like Amalie had a baby with The Twilight Zone and decided to have a Luis Buñuel baby. A meticulously crafted, beautifully textured piece of work that has enough nostalgia, mystery, and gore to keep everyone happy.