Safe Return Doubtful

Icelandic 2025

This is a wonderful quirky drama that follows in the tradition of Icelandic bizarre modern cinema (Lamb, Of Horses and Men..). It depicts a year in the life of a family as the parents approach divorce. The photography is spectacular amidst wild mountain scenery, and the acting, particularly that of the children is excellent. The father, a fisherman and the mother, an artist, are doing things together as a family to make their imminent split easier for the children, teenager Ida, and two younger twin boys, Grímur and Þorgils. The three children are the director’s own children, Hlynur Pálmason. 

It’s a compelling family drama, but with the surrealist touches make it becomes something quite vspecial. The first twenty minutes or so are played quite deadpan, so when the first incident of absurdity occurs it comes quite by surprise. 

It’s a very enjoyable watch. 

IMDb score 6.8 / 10 – My score 8 / 10