A weekend getaway becomes a holiday from hell for a Danish family in this mercilessly unnerving horror flick from Danish director Christian Tafdrup.
Christian Tafdrup’s horror movie is one sadistic, slow-burn nightmare of Euro-middle-class mores curdling around the edges, especially once the penny drops.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2022
Speak No Evil 2022
Gæsterne
Lovers of Scandi thrillers should be very careful what they wish for as this slow-burn, excruciating vacay from hell takes the comic discomfort of its premise to ultra-agonising levels. The setup feels familiar; two vacationing couples with kids (Danish & Dutch) meet and click. The Danes’ compliant nature and fear of causing offense sees them take up an enthusiastic offer of a future catchup from the Dutch. The family dynamics couldn’t be more different once the Danes, Bjørn and Louise, are on the home turf of the Dutch, Patrick and Karin. The horrors of casual acquaintances suddenly realising they have nothing in common will become the meaty crux of the mind games and sadism to follow.
The film does a superb job of forensically dissecting the uneasy expectations between the couples. The clever script begins with micro-aggressions before the destruction of social mores and the Danes’ slow realisation they might be responsible for the paralysing claustrophobia they now find themselves in. Christian Tafdrup's tight control and execution of this sick sojourn creates a defining moment of modern Danish cinema. A talented provocateur who picked up Haneke’s baton and has proceeded to club baby seals with it. You’ve been warned. — Ant Timpson