13/36
Greetings from the darkness again
Line of Events
A family’s vacation at a remote hideaway takes an unexpected turn when they discover the island they are on is inhabited by a serial killer. This is the first time Aisling Bea and Nick Frost have starred together in a folk comedy horror film. Every film review offers an opportunity to walk the line between “enough” and “not too much.” Some films are more challenging than others, and this is one of them.
Nick Frost plays Richard Smith, a joke-loving dad-dork who desperately wants a relaxing vacation with his family
Director Steffan Haars (the “New Kids” films) and writer-actor Nick Frost team up to deliver a devilish, over-the-top folk slasher horror comedy that brings a little innovation to a genre that could use a boost. Accompanying him are his wife Susan (the multi-talented Aisling Bea) and their teenage children Sam (Sebastian Croft, “Heartstopper”) and Jessie (Maisie Ayers in her first feature film). His odd choice for “escape” is Svalta, a remote Swedish island with a dark history, with a tragic 19th-century plague that nearly wiped out the population.
Upon arrival, they receive a cold and somewhat threatening welcome from the locals
The family planned the trip around the Karantan (Quarantine) festival, which commemorates the unfortunate events of the past. Calling the festival a “play” doesn’t help, and it’s not until their creepy Airbnb landlord (Eero Milanoff) shows up to claim them that the tension eases somewhat. The house they’re renting seems perfect, but soon everything starts to feel a little odd.
The film really explores the whole unwanted “outsider” feeling
Sam’s vegetarian diet and Jessie’s witty approach add an extra dimension, while Richard and Susan deftly compete against each other (as we’d expect from Frost and Bea). This was my second Nick Frost horror film in less than a month, as it follows his much less funny outing in BLACK CAB. Of course, he’s known for his comedic performance in the Cornetto trilogy, and his script here is quite impressive.
Out in theaters December 6, 2024
just before the great twist that turns the film into a totally unexpected bloodbath. Barry Blue singing “I Eat Cannibals” provides a worthy musical conclusion to this wild ride from Shudder Films.