A young woman and an old man stuck at an isolated cabin in Finland
Shot in August 2020 but not released until three years later, this is a proficient cabin-in-the-woods indie that combines the set-up of “Misery” with bits of 2021’s “Devil’s Island.” Unlike those, however, it shoots for deep art and eschews conventional storytelling. The highlights for me are the lovely Lene Kqiku as the protagonist, the scenic Finnish locations and the ambient music, as well as the end credits song. In addition, the subdued psychological insight on gaining the upper hand is interesting.
There are several references to Vincent Price’s “The Last Man on Earth,” as well as moments hinting at prosopagnosia, the neurological condition that prevents a person from recognizing faces. At the end of the day, it’s haunting and strangely kept my attention, but it’s too vague. Trying to understand it is like grasping mist.
Yet blonde Lene Kqiku is worth the price of admission. As for the old man, he’s reminiscent of George Constanza’s dad, just not quite as homely or irritating.
It runs 1 hour, 21 minutes, and was shot at Iso Liitonjarvi, which is a 5-hour drive north of Helsinki and a 2.5 hour drive south of Oulu. Additional stuff was done in Helsinki and London.
GRADE: C/C+
