The premise of Gudstjänst is simple yet effective: a priest discovers that serving the God of the Old Testament demands darker deeds than he ever could have imagined. The film exudes a vibe reminiscent of the 80s, with an atmosphere that is dark yet pleasantly eerie rather than disturbing or shocking (at one point in the movie I thought of Twin Peaks). There are even moments where the audience smiles and laughs, such as when the priest manages to attract a larger crowd of villagers than ever before.
The acting is impressive across the entire cast, with standout performances from Kola Krauze as Peter, Matti Boustedt as Bo Lindberg, and Isabelle Grill as Hannah.
The film is visually appealing, featuring some clever cuts (I can't elaborate on these without revealing plot spoilers). I do wish the movie had been longer, especially towards the end where a few plot questions remained unanswered. While not all questions need to be resolved, tying up a couple of loose ends could have added an extra layer of chilling delight.
If you're curious about what it means to accept the true priesthood, go see Gudstjänst!
