Safe Return Doubtful

Van International Film Festival 2024 – Norway

Your potential movie-watcher is likely to arrive at this expecting something different than it is; billed as a ‘zombie horror’ and written by John Ajvide Lindquist (it was his follow up novel to Let The Right One In). This is something quite different however. 

A bit more light is shed by being aware that this is Norway’s entry to the Oscar for the Best International Film. Rather, it is a fairly slow-moving and tragic drama, though it does involve the dead reawakening. The measured pace is symbolic of the mood of the characters as they grieve. The film is, in effect, a triptych, concerning three families who have just lost loved ones. The cinematography is the highlight, and it is a fine achievement and a first break through feature for its director, Thea Hvistendahl.

Its IMDb score is understandable as so many will stumble on this expecting something quite different; zombie films have jump scares and often dark humour, this is meditative and thought provoking, though it would have benefitted from a few lighter moments. 

IMDb score 5.9 / 10 – My score 7 / 10