Ondskan

I was somewhat surprised about this. I loved the book and the movie and didn't think this was needed.

Honestly it payed off, the acting is (for the most part) really good. The cinematography and blocking is on point and I honestly think this show as a much stronger theme. About the cyclical nature of power, abuse and violence.

Only things I didn't really like were the romance (no real chemistry between the actors and it felt underdeveloped) I also didn't really feel the relationship between Erik and Pierre. That was much better done in the film.

Overall tho. Great job!

I will never forgive Gustav Skarsgård after that scene.

Evil, or "Ondskan" in Swedish, is a masterpiece of a tv show. Based on the best selling novel, the show fully encompass the themes and tone of the book, whilst cutting out some of the sillier plot points. It's telling how good a show is when, like me, you binge all six episodes in one evening!

I think this version is superior to the already brilliant film from 2003. The relationship between Erik and Marja is better developed and a lot of the other characters are more fleshed out owing to a longer run time in comparison to the film. The teachers are given more depth in the series, especially Tosse Berg, the sports coach. Pierre is given a lot to do as well. However, I preferred the villainous and abuse enabling headmaster from the 2003 film, and I'm not sure which of the evil step Fathers were played better. Although, I did love that Gustaf Skarsgard, who played the main bully, Silverhielm, in the original film also plays the abusive Step Father here.

Erik's backstory is told properly here as well, unlike in the film where it's skimmed over, and the cinematography and sound design are brilliant here. Some of the acting may have been better in the film but the dialogue and atmosphere in the series is unbeatable.

10/10: A masterpiece of a series, and I feel sorry for people outside Sweden who haven't heard of it, or can't find where to watch it.

This TV-show is a cinematic masterpiece. Finally, Sweden has truly succeeded with a series that people didn't think could reach such high quality like the movie. People often want to compare it to the 2003 film, and I understand that. It was superb, no doubt. However, this series portrays Ponti and his life much better, giving us a stronger insight into how everything really was. Incredibly talented actors, many of whom are not well-known, have barely been on the big screen, but are now getting their chance of a lifetime. Really uplifting and innovative. A heartfelt thank you goes to Isac Calmroth (Erik Ponti), Gustaf Skarsgård (Åke Ponti), and Christian Fandango Sundgren (Otto Silverhielm) for their outstanding performances.

Until I read some of the other reviews here I was not aware of the book or film, so I watched with no previous knowledge of the story. This is an excellent Swedish drama set in a boys boarding school in 1959. The school is effectively run by 'the prefects' who rule the younger boys with intimidation and violence. While this 'evil' is occurring the teachers keep out of the way, but are clearly aware of the brutality. If this sort of thing was prevalent in late 50's Sweden it's a bit of an eye opener and a long way from the 'niceness' that is ABBA. When Eric is sent there, being the only establishment that will accept him because of his own violent history, the prefects are not prepared for his challenging of their authority, so do their best to break him. A lot of moral statements are made in each episode as to why some people behave in this way. In Erics case he is regularly beaten by his father and witnesses his mother getting similar treatment, so takes out his anger on fellow pupils until he is expelled and sent to the boarding school. To add some light to the dark Eric has a relationship with a pretty kitchen assistant Marja which is strictly forbidden, of course. I found this a compelling series and at just six forty minute episodes it does not out stay it's welcome.

There is almost no way to not compare this from the movie with the same title from 2003, but since I do not remember most of the movie I think my views are somewhat non-biased.

The acting was really good for most parts, and I love that Gustaf Skarsgård got a role in this one since he also played in the movie. A few minor supporting actors were so-so. The first 2 episodes were really good on all fronts and exciting, after that it got quite boring actually since there was alot of dialouge with the girl that felt like nonsense since she was acting very dramatic and a bit hypocritical for me.

The show took a better turn towards the last episode by making the viewer feel closure and some kind of justice. If it was the justice I expected or prefered I will leave unsaid. Overall this would have been done better as a 2h movie in my opinion, but it still holds up on the positive side of the review scale.