She can communicate with ghosts. Here's what she learns from the 'Sad Dead'

My Sad Dead is a Spanish-language Netflix series centered on a woman named Ema, who possesses the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. The four-part show, directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, weaves together three short stories by Mariana Enriquez, who has been called "the sorceress of Buenos Aires horror." The series explores themes of melancholy, sarcasm, and political anger, blending them with creepiness and eerie atmospheres.

The protagonist, Ema, is a 60-ish doctor who has been forced into retirement. She moves back into her family's grand old house to live with her deceased mother, who continues to exist as a ghost. Ema's gift allows her to communicate with the dead, but her primary role is to calm and resolve their problems. Her days are spent soothing spirits, communicating with her photographer daughter, and attending community meetings.

Ema's life takes a turn when her sister and brother-in-law, along with their daughter Julie, visit from the United States. They plan to place Julie in a mental institution due to her obesity and Julie's loud moans, which Ema associates with her connections to the dead. However, Ema develops a connection with her niece. The arrival of Julie leads to a series of events that cause everyone in the neighborhood to hear the cries of the dead, causing them to become increasingly distressed and potentially go mad.

The series delves into the liminal space between life and death, focusing on the struggles of the powerless in Latin America. It aims to evoke the harsh realities of the present rather than relying on lurid melodrama or shock cuts. The cinematography features a slightly bleached-out, old videotape look, which gives the physical world an appearance of being somewhat transparent and open to the other side. The camera movements and overhead shots further emphasize the uncanny and eerie atmosphere of the series.

As Ema navigates her role as a ghost communicator, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the political situations in her country, which has a history of military juntas and the disappearance of thousands during the 1970s and 1980s. The show highlights how Ema's ability to connect with the dead allows her to better understand the responsibilities she holds for the living.