Isolerad (2010)
10/10
Small but brilliant psychological thriller
24 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is - at least for me - a hidden gem! The makers succeeded in making this psychological thriller maximum effective with a minimum in means. No sophisticated special effects, let alone CGI, not even a supporting musical score, it's all in the clever script, the subtle direction and editing, the scarce dialogues, and last but certainly not least in the brilliant acting of Emil Johnsen.

Johnsen is totally convincing as the slightly neurotic and autistic student Frank, who accidentally becomes the target of the violent lover of his upstairs neighbor, subsequently goes out of his mind with fear and panic, cowardly tries to lay low or hide or run away, and in the process takes one stupid decision after another, up until a last irrevocable and fatal one.

Frank is not a likable character, but you still team up with him, because his mortal fear is so understandable, as is his constant impuls to duck away. In that way the movie isn't just an intense thriller, but also holds a mirror. The last shot of forlorn and guilt ridden Frank makes you almost sense his shame yourself.

Small as it may be, I really think it's a brilliant movie, and rank it a 10!
12 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed