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"Post Mortem" is a hauntingly immersive historical drama film from Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, set in the midst of Chile's 1973 military coup against President Salvador Allende. The movie tells a story that is somewhat fictional but still draws from real-life experiences and recollections of those who lived through the traumatic events of the coup. It is a bleak and introspective film, delving deep into the personal, the political, the emotional, and the philosophical aspects of a nation unhinged by civil unrest.

The film follows an unassuming and unremarkable character named Mario Cornejo (played by Alfredo Castro) who works as a mortician in a morgue in Santiago. Mario is a quiet, introverted man who doesn't speak much, but he is deeply interested in the young dancer Nancy (Antonia Zegers) who lives in the house next door to him. Through chance encounters and shy interactions at the fence separating their houses, the two begin to form a tentative relationship.

However, their budding romance is cut short by the political upheaval that erupts in the city when the army stages a violent coup on September 11, 1973. As the city erupts in chaos and violence, Mario is forced to confront his own complicity and moral responsibility in the events unfolding around him. He is drawn into the conflict when he decides to help Nancy's family, who are leftist militants and are being hunted down by the military regime.

As the violence and brutality of the coup increase, Mario's job at the morgue becomes more and more surreal and eerie. He is tasked with cataloging the bodies of those who are killed, and he begins to see the atrocities of the violence firsthand. The line between the living and the dead begins to blur, as he struggles to maintain his own identity and sense of self in the midst of the chaos.

The film is shot in a minimalist style, with starkly beautiful cinematography that captures the desolate and surreal atmosphere of the city during the coup. The characters are sparsely drawn, but their emotional impact is visceral and gripping. The film doesn't shy away from the horrors of the violence and the repression, but it also doesn't glorify or demonize any of the characters.

Throughout the film, Larraín infuses elements of dark humor and absurdity that make the story even more impactful. For example, the scene where Mario is trying to retrieve his beloved typewriter while the city is falling apart around him is both comical and disturbingly real. The film also features a haunting score that alludes to the surreal and dreamlike nature of the story.

In many ways, "Post Mortem" is a meditation on the nature of trauma and the way it shapes both individuals and nations. The film is not only a political statement about the events of the coup but also a deeply personal exploration of the effects that trauma and violence can have on the human psyche.

Overall, "Post Mortem" is a gripping and thought-provoking film that deserves to be seen by anyone interested in the deep interplay between politics and psychology. The film is a testament to the power of cinema as a medium that can explore complex and difficult themes with grace and power. If you're looking for a film that will engage you on every level, "Post Mortem" is a must-see.

Post Mortem is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 72.