An Eye for an Eye (2016 film)

An Eye for an Eye is a 2016 Spanish thriller film directed by Paco Plaza. It tells the story of Mario, a dedicated nurse working in a nursing home in Galicia. He is a quiet and empathetic man who dedicates himself to caring for his patients, including an elderly, wheelchair-bound drug lord named Antonio Padín. Padín, despite his frail physical state, controls a vast criminal network from within the nursing home.

Mario's life takes a dark turn when he discovers that Padín is responsible for a past tragedy that deeply affected him and his family. Consumed by grief and a thirst for revenge, Mario begins to systematically plot against Padín, utilizing his position within the nursing home to manipulate and torment him.

The film explores themes of morality, justice, revenge, and the cyclical nature of violence. It questions whether taking an "eye for an eye" truly brings closure or simply perpetuates a cycle of suffering. The film contrasts Mario's initial image as a compassionate caregiver with his descent into darkness as he enacts his revenge. An Eye for an Eye delves into the psychological toll that vengeance takes on a person, highlighting the moral compromises and erosion of self that can occur when driven by anger and a desire for retribution. The film also examines the broader implications of the "eye for an eye" philosophy within society.