The Innocents

2021, Directed by Eskil Vogt 

TW: child abuse, harm to autistic child, abusive mother, family trauma, mental illness, animal abuse on screen, violent animal death on screen, child violence, bullying and harassment, violations of consent, body horror, medical trauma, violent murder, child death, children in distress and peril 

An absolutely gut-wrenching story exploring childhood grief, anger, and trauma through dark sci-fi with horror elements. 

Four children from different households in one apartment complex forge a powerful and special bond of friendship. Each child accidentally discovers a set of supernatural powers, which are increased in strength the more they’re used and the closer in proximity the children are to one another. There are signs early on that dark things may be afoot, and things turn rather sinister fairly quickly. It’s truly terrifying, emotionally raw, disturbing, and very unsettling.

The camera work and cinematography are absolutely outstanding and build an incredible atmosphere of overwhelm which disorients the audience. Different color grades show the difference between reality and the supernatural and good and evil. A mix of ultra wide shots and claustrophobically close crops illustrate the emotions of the children and their overwhelm with the world. It also makes an interesting film study of the “nature versus nurture” concepts.

The incredibly empathetic performances by the entire cast amplify the tragic and emotionally fraught narrative, and there is no escaping the whirlwind of feelings. Give every single one of these child actors an award! May they go on to have stellar careers with creative teams who see their potential, and may they suffer little by way of trauma as a result (unlike their characters have!!). Bless them because this is stunning skill and understanding of their characters. They broke my heart!!

The use of vibrant colours in the wardrobes, bright background scenery, and ultra saturated palettes reiterate their childhood innocence - a world of possibility and opportunity, big and bold and beautiful to explore. The swap to desaturated palette, darker tones, and nightmare world with uncomfortable jarring Giallo style lighting most certainly represents the contrast of discomfort in anger, loneliness, sadness, and a childlike uncertainty of how to process frightening emotions or events. It’s a brilliant storytelling aid, and truly elevates the narrative to unnerving levels.

While this movie certainly isn’t quite like anything I’ve seen before, I did draw some slight parallels in certain moments to Let the Right One In as well as Chronicle and even a touch of The Omen. It leverages each of the things that worked in those aforementioned movies, and paints a picture of how being a child is both simultaneously glorious, beautiful, terrifying, and traumatic. It’s violent and depressing, sure, but also hauntingly beautiful and touching at once, much like life itself.

There is far too much to unpack in this movie for just one review, and too many feelings to truly quantify in just a few paragraphs. It’s an absolute feat of filmmaking with lots of layers to the characters and storyline. It will echo on your mind long after the credits roll. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to watch this, because I will not soon forget it!

Watched as part of Boston Underground Film Fest 2022

Review by Ellen Avigliano
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