El Angel Exterminador

El Angel Exterminador

Throughout this film, it becomes apparent that supernatural beings are present. Perhaps not everyone can relate to this, but for those who can relate because they too have experienced incredible events will find this particular film interesting. At first, it seems to be just a wealthy couple having close friends over for dinner but it quickly changes when the guests discover they are unable to control their actions, when it comes to passing through the host's dining room. Luis Banuel effectively applies ethos and logos to reveal there is an intangible force existing in the home, and that no one can explain nor reverse what is suddenly at hand.

Everyone is acting out of the normal, but there is no explanation as to why. Through and through, many different characters begin to question what they are doing and why they have not gone home yet. Some guests and even the hosts' notice that no one wants to go home, but somehow everyone convinces themselves to stay in the living room. Finally everyone discovers that the dining room is the problem and the fear of not knowing/ being able to explain begins to worry and create fear within everyone. Banuel showed characters literally walking to leave through the dining area, yet every single one stopped just before and returned to the living room. He also shows a character look into the dining room, then immediately start to experience pain and suffer to his death. This shows the successful technique of ethos because Banuel repeatedly confirms where and/or what the problem is. Even after they know where the problem lies, they do not know how to resolve the issue.

It is a natural tendency to fear what one does not know or understand, especially if it is supernatural. Everyone at this gathering is struck with confusion and worries, even the people outside the house who cannot enter the property. We saw the host's workers flee as if to save their own lives, but didn't ever specify why. Just because we cannot see, touch, or explain what is at hand does not mean it does not exist -it just means there is not proof. Proof is important, yet in this case unattainable. The Exterminating Angel effectively demonstrates the logos device because one cannot deny that something is happening despite proof, and the title of the film indicates a supernatural being who is trying to terminate one by one.

Luis Banuel made this film for those