Stric

Fantastic Fest 2023 Greetings again from the darkness. Croatian filmmakers David Kapac and Andrija Mardesic set this story around Christmas, or so it seems anyway. The tinseled tree is up, the house is decorated with blinking lights, and mom is cooking a beautiful turkey for the family meal. Dad and son race to finish their chores before Uncle arrives after his drive from Munich. What appears to be a Norman Rockwell set-up for the family holiday fun is somehow off kilter ... each of the players displays enough awkwardness that we instinctively know not all is as it seems.

Forced conversation at the table turns to forced gratitude as presents are disbursed. A video is shown and then Uncle departs. We are left to wonder what the heck, when another day arrives and the event is recreated ... right down to the roast beast. We soon see piles of turkeys, cigarette cartons, and BB guns, and realize that these evenings are not just uncomfortable, they are being repeated time after time.

Uncle states many times that all he wants is "a perfect Christmas", though it's not until "Sis" accompanies one evening, that we begin to assemble the clues and pieces. There is enough dark comedy in the first half that we chuckle a few times; however, the second half is so bleak and depressing and filled with suspense, that we can only attempt to shake off the feeling of horror that permeates. Two standout performances here belong to screen vet Predrag Miki Manojlovic (as Uncle) and Ivana Roscic (as the mother).

I feel frustrated because I had to spend money and time to watch this. It's like you gave few guidelines to 1st year student and told him to write a scenario. Typical Croatian movie: no real story just the idea, few scenes of sex just because they have to put it in every movie, story (we can't call this a story) must be much more worked out, we didn't find out anything about their situation that led to this happening, also in the end they tried to be misterious but it was just poor and lazy. I'm surprised that some very good actors accepted to do this. If a 1st year student on academy did something like this, he would get maybe 5/10 rating. In the real adult world, I would rate it 0/10 if I could. Croatian cinematography keeps rolling in the same direction.

As it began, I didn't know what to think of, which made me confused. After a while it became clear that there's a lot more to the movie than I was expecting or prepared for.

There are no real holes in the plot, as some of the reviews suggest. It all sets into the right place in/at the end - might take some thinking time to figure it out, though.

Reminded me of the Greek masterpiece "Kynodontas", which is a huge plus, so if you're into that kind of movies, you'll definitely like this one.

I'll have to repeat the title and say that, although slightly disturbed, I was... -pleasantly surprised.

No, this movie isn't a comedy. Horror and psychological thriller, yes. It gets hard to watch it in some scenes, also a little bit disturbing, but, for me, this was the kind of a movie you watch without pausing it or stopping it. In first half hour of the movie it's really hard to understand what's going on. But, if you continue to watch it, well... Then movie get vibes like "Groundhog day" but nooo, it's something completely different. Movie is excellent, watch it till the end. I am surprised, pleasantly with it, but, must say, didn't quite understand the ending.

All in all, give this movie a try. Something a little bit different. Great idea, great acting!

Just finished watching this movie on the Manaki film festival and am completely blown away .

Loved every second of it .

Not what you expect,new,fresh and unique cinema. Hopefully this film will get the credit it deserves .