Mistério na Vila

Acting is great, photography and ambient is nice, but the story becomes just ridiculously and absurdly stupid somewhere around the middle of the film.

Not just that the main character behaves as a total idiot ( I won't say more, as I don't want this review to have a spoiler but you'll get it) but also all the other characters behave like brainless crowd.

Mørke... Darkness... a movie consisting of, revolving around, set in and taking place in the cover of darkness. A movie about suicide close to you, made by probably the two most fitting people in Danish show business; Nikolaj Lie Kaas, whose mother committed suicide, and whose father drowned, in what may have been a suicide, and Jannik Johansen, whose sister committed suicide. This was a necessary film to make, for both of them. And us Danes need it too, because of the message it so beautifully communicates: we're not open enough about death. It's taboo. We don't talk about it... we just don't. And that's a mistake. As a character so perfectly says it in this film: "We don't talk about death. That's why it's so hard." The plot is brilliant. It makes sense and holds water(to some extent; it will be become clear to most viewers that Jannik Johansen chose dramatic effect over realism for some parts in the film). Also, it leaves room for Kaas' character to ponder, wonder and feel guilty. Without the internal conflict of Jakob, our main character, the film wouldn't be what it is. The pacing is absolutely perfect. I was never bored for a second. The acting is flawless. Nicolas Bro and Kaas are astounding. The characters are exceptionally well-written and credible. The dialog is great. Not one line seems contrived. It's put to great use, too; in one of the first scenes, Jakob's relationship with his sister and their mother, not to mention their(or is that... our?) relationship with death. Johansen also does a great job of underplaying cinematic effects... several scenes end with an unpleasant twist that adds something entirely new to the whole scene. The whole film through, we're delved into the mystery, not knowing who to trust, or what to think. We feel Jakob's powerlessness, his panic, and his guilt. We follow his travel into his own darkness as he unravels the truth. There are several scenes of high intensity, incredible tension and great suspense. Johansen has a tendency to draw out scenes that are in actuality quite short, and with great effect. This is, in my opinion, the greatest accomplishment in Danish cinema. I recommend this film to any fan of Danish films, thrillers and/or dramas. If you think you can take it(it's definitely not for the faint of heart), you should give it a chance. There's a big chance you'll find it every bit as deep, strong and emotionally involving as I did. 10/10

I like psychological thrillers...Danish films are good at that. Movie to think about and dwell on tomorrow...and then let it go.

I would say I like dramatic thrillers a lot - particularly when events are happening in a real life, not in someone's head. If a confrontation arises between main personalities, it provides additional value to the film. In Mørke, the respective atmosphere and preconditions are capably created, but the main opposition is not equal: Jacob (vigorously performed by Nicolaj Lie Kaas, at least 1 additional point from me due to him) is much stronger and versatile character than "soft" Anker (Nicolas Bro) and the reasons for the latter's actions could have been different than appeared in the end (with a decent twist, however). Or perhaps I am more interested in materially motivated actions than spiritually.

The film is undoubtedly for you if uneasiness, gloom and doubts throughout the film are important and long moving scenes do not become boring.

Watching "Mørke" is a tedious affair, especially given that the Danes are currently far ahead of the other Nordic countries when it comes to cinematic artistry. Why Jannik Johansen settled for such a monotonous narrative will be the actual great mystery of this film. "Mørke" is a highly generic thriller film, that doesn't even attempt at delivering some actual thrills or suspense for its viewers. The otherwise talented Nikolaj Lie Kaas seems uncomfortable venturing around the eponymous town, looking for answers to the death of his sister. While perhaps not outright uncomfortable for the audience, it definitely is a lackluster experience.