It's just a bit silly when you consider that paganism was stone dead in Sweden for 700 years or so before people brought it back. If they'd just had a few hints that this "ancient ritual" was actually made up by hippies back in 1971 or so and that they were really trying hard not to let on, or if they'd skipped the mythological bit and just exaggerated the ritual, a lot about this movie would have made much more sense.
Ah, this explains why the Swedish found it hilarious and most US reviewers didn't. Nor did the British reviewers for that matter. In fact quite a few found it really scary -- the woman in my co-worker's little group who saw it and thought it was the scariest thing she'd seen -- knew a lot about pagan rituals (also never been to Sweden and knew nothing about Sweden). Because over here and in Britain -- paganism isn't dead. It's been going on since well...for a long time? I know a lot of pagans and Wiccans. (And no, they don't do all of that -- although they do act out the ritual of feeding the son to the mother, and having her devour him -- but more like a play.)
Although -- according to some of the interviews, I got the feeling the director wanted it to be more of a black comedy.
Eh, too gory for me. I like my comedy sans gore. ;-)
Four, supposedly.
Oh dear. I honestly think he may have meant it to be a black comedy about a toxic relationship.
I was told by co-worker that the first part of the movie is really good -- where her family is horribly killed, and in graphic detail, and her grief regarding it. Co-worker liked how it was shot and was somewhat disappointed by the rest of it.
no subject
Ah, this explains why the Swedish found it hilarious and most US reviewers didn't. Nor did the British reviewers for that matter. In fact quite a few found it really scary -- the woman in my co-worker's little group who saw it and thought it was the scariest thing she'd seen -- knew a lot about pagan rituals (also never been to Sweden and knew nothing about Sweden). Because over here and in Britain -- paganism isn't dead. It's been going on since well...for a long time? I know a lot of pagans and Wiccans. (And no, they don't do all of that -- although they do act out the ritual of feeding the son to the mother, and having her devour him -- but more like a play.)
Although -- according to some of the interviews, I got the feeling the director wanted it to be more of a black comedy.
Eh, too gory for me. I like my comedy sans gore. ;-)
Four, supposedly.
Oh dear. I honestly think he may have meant it to be a black comedy about a toxic relationship.
I was told by co-worker that the first part of the movie is really good -- where her family is horribly killed, and in graphic detail, and her grief regarding it. Co-worker liked how it was shot and was somewhat disappointed by the rest of it.