Lake Bodom

Lake Bodom, a serene and picturesque location in Finland, holds a dark and chilling history, providing the perfect setting for a slasher film that blends brutal violence with a dose of dark humor. 'Bodom' takes inspiration from the infamous unsolved murders that occurred at the lake in 1960, crafting a twisted tale that will satisfy horror enthusiasts seeking a gruesome yet entertaining ride.

Director Taneli Mustonen plunges us into the lives of four teenage friends, who, in a daring act of rebellion, decide to camp out at Lake Bodom, a place shrouded in urban legends. This reckless decision sets the stage for a night of terror as the group becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a deranged killer.

The film's opening act is a slow burn, taking its time to introduce the characters and establish their dynamics. We witness the typical teenage angst and romantic tensions, which, while not groundbreaking, serve to build a sense of familiarity before the chaos ensues. The performances are solid, particularly the portrayal of the unhinged and unpredictable killer, who becomes the driving force of the film's latter half.

As the sun sets, the movie shifts gears, transforming into a relentless and visceral slasher experience. The cinematography excels in these moments, capturing the eerie beauty of the forest and the stark brutality of the murders. The gore is abundant and creatively executed, ensuring that even the most desensitized horror fans will squirm in their seats.

'Bodom' also incorporates a healthy dose of dark comedy, providing some much-needed levity amidst the carnage. The humor, while not always hitting the mark, adds a layer of unpredictability, making the film a wild and twisted journey. The script, however, falters in its attempt to weave in a deeper psychological narrative, often feeling like a distraction from the more effective slasher elements.

One of the film's strengths lies in its practical effects, which are impressively realistic, adding to the overall intensity. The killer's weapon of choice, a hammer, becomes a symbol of sheer brutality, and the sound design ensures every blow resonates with the audience.

Despite its strengths, 'Bodom' struggles to find a consistent tone, oscillating between horror and comedy, often within the same scene. This unevenness may leave some viewers feeling detached from the story, especially during the more emotionally charged moments. The film's pacing also falters towards the end, with the climax feeling rushed and leaving some plot threads unresolved.

In conclusion, 'Bodom' is a flawed yet entertaining slasher flick that embraces its bloody roots. While it may not offer groundbreaking storytelling, it delivers on the promise of a gruesome and twisted adventure. With a unique setting and a willingness to push boundaries, the film will undoubtedly find its audience among those who appreciate a good old-fashioned bloodbath.

Like anything in life, or I have come to believe this "ratio", 98% of anything is shite, find the 2% that is worth your time.

This is worth your time. Like tommyknocker's lone review makes note of; there's a creepy tone to this film, rarely seen since Just Before Dawn.

Thinking back, this very well could be paying some homage to JBD...the atmospheres, the droning score, right down to the outro music. It was the first film that came to mind as the credits rolled.

Discussing the topic of the film will only reveal spoilers, but this, not unlike The Windmill Massacre, sheds a lot of light into the world of excellent Nordic horror.

5,1 out of 10 is a disgrace to this film. Well-paced, well-acted, suspenseful and a somewhat original plot (see for yourself) with a few good twists and turns. The very most parts of the film take place in the woods, and the solid nature definitely builds up a true horror atmosphere to the film.

"Lake Bodom" also has this great unsettling "nerve" to it, which reminds me of some of the best classic 80s horror flicks like "Just Before Dawn" and "The Burning".

In my opinion "Lake Bodom" is the best Finnish horror flick out there. Well worth a watch for horror hounds and/or people who appreciate an entertaining, thrilling 85 minute ride!

So I guess I just didn't "get" LAKE BODOM. Why was it a good idea to go to the isolated site where a group of campers were massacred in the 1960s? To "recreate it"? And if there was an active psycho back then, he'd be in his 70s now...or early 80s? This film just seemed to lurch from one "surprise" to another and instead of show don't tell, the characters sat in the car and explained at great length why they did what they did. I thought the acting was fine, but the character's motivations seemed wildly out of sync with what they were reacting to. And no fault of the filmmakers, but the subtitles (yes, it's subtitled) are pretty bad. What's also interesting is that while the critics love it at RT, with a current score of 100% from 6 critics, audiences only give it a 38%. I'm one of those who is fine with "movie logic" but if you're going to have your psycho appear at the end, he needs some kind of explanation or we're to believe that for no reason whatsoever he hangs out in the woods for 50+ years...just hanging out?

A film based on a true story that can be told in two sentences, and the plot isn't actually even that much based on it. Basically it's a Finnish "slasher" film that isn't scary in any way.

How can that be possible ? In a horror movie the viewer should identify to at least one "victim" character and hope for hes or her (usually her) survival in some way. This movie makes none of the cast feel innocent or likable and twists the plot in so many so unnecessary ways the characters lose all value and become indifferent for the viewer.

It feels like the script was just brainstormed together in a single sitting without any work and all focus put into the set, cinematography, sound and music which are all state of art. In some scenes the actors do fine job but very bad in few - losing completely the credibility of the ongoing -panic- situation, although international audiences might not get this. When the movie ends one just feels empty and cheated - it meant nothing and it left nothing to ponder on.

These are common faults in modern publicly-funded Finnish cinema where tech, music and cinematography are great but driven with lazy writing and recycled boring cast that appears in about every title. Weren't the soviet days already over ?

For those interested in slightly better Finnish slasher horror, Kuutamosonaatti (1988) is something to check out.