Written by: Peter Straughan and Hossein Amini and Søren Sveistrup (screenplay by), Jo Nesbø (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, JK Simmons, Val Kilmer, Toby Jones, James D'arcy, Chloë Sevigny
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a victim on the first snow of winter. Fearing an elusive serial killer may be active again, decades-old cold cases may be the key to stopping the killer.
Verdict
This leaves it open for a sequel, but this was a muddled mess, cliche ridden and nearly incomprehensible. Things happen but you never even have a remote impulse to care. It's surprisingly bad based on talent involved alone.
Skip it.
Review
This opens with a flashback to a cop traveling in the snow to a remote cabin where he's having an affair. We soon learn the boy is his illegitimate son. The scene had a real B movie feel to it. The mom indirectly kills herself, but we're left to guess why. You quickly surmise this is an origin story.
We jump to the present day where Harry Hole is sleeping. He's a drunk cop sleeping in the park. I didn't know if the movie wanted me to think the flashback was Harry's but I didn't buy it. Also, what a bad name.
The best thing I can say about the movie is that the scenery is great. This is full of cliches, and it's just boring. It's one of those movie that even though I'm watching it, I'm not sure what's happening. I know what I'm seeing, but it doesn't form even a weak narrative. That's how bad this is. If someone asked me what happened in this movie, all I would be able to do is recite where Harry is. He's in a library, he's outside, he's in a house.
The killer's calling card is leaving snowmen in places. What's the point of that, of this movie?
The director blamed the justifiably harsh criticism on the short filing duration. He estimated ten to fifteen percent of the movie was never even filmed due to time constraints. Either that's a gross exaggeration or the production company just didn't want this to do well at all.
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