If you’re like myself, someone who loves dark, twisted, slasher international folk comedy w/a twist of horror then, this film is for you. Nonetheless, I will say the movie could use a bit more of character development or, a bit more history the people on this Swedish remote island called “Svalta but, its still a movie worth seeing if you have prime/AMC+.
Writer director Nick frost who plays the father, Richard Smith takes a “holiday” vacation to this remote Swedish island called Svalta with his family consist of, wife, daughter & son. With the hopes of attending “Festival of Karantan,” tradition dating back to 19th century that holds a dark murderous, decapitation & cannibalism that was last celebrated in 30 years. Upon arrival, the family rented a nice but eerie Airbnb from one of the locals who goes by Eero Milanoff. Upon arrival, the family is immediately met with the town’s people in an odd threatening uninvited reception of chants, eerie costumes, etc.,
As the movie progresses, we’re introduced to a cop that does not live on the island, a recently released inmate, the strange sadistic obsession of Eero Milanoff, preparation of the festival “play” oddly family behavior & interactions.
About 40 min or so, into the movie is where we see that the family that was supposedly the target turned out to be the murderous kin as they relish in the blood shed of the entire town including killing one member of the family, who turned out to be a hired murdered to play the role of the pretend son. As stated, a lot of twisted & turns with this one, definitely a must see over a nice hot cup of tea or better yet bourbon on this “dry” January.
