@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Devout Christians Töre and Märeta send their only daughter, the virginal Karin, and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri, to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.
Quick Stats
7.8
TMDB Rating
684
Votes
1h 30m
Runtime
—
Budget
$700K
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorIngmar Bergman
WriterUlla Isaksson
CinematographySven Nykvist
ComposerErik Nordgren
EditorOscar Rosander
Production DesignP.A. Lundgren
Produced by
SF Studios
Where to Watch
Streaming
Criterion ChannelFree
KanopyRent
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeBuy
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Max von Sydow
Töre
Birgitta Valberg
Märeta
Gunnel Lindblom
Ingeri
Birgitta Pettersson
Karin
Axel Düberg
Thin Herdsman
Allan Edwall
Beggar
Tor Isedal
Mute Herdsman
O
Ove Porath
Boy
Axel Slangus
Bridge Keeper
Gudrun Brost
Frida
Oscar Ljung
Simon
Tor Borong
Farm-hand
L
Leif Forstenberg
Farm-hand
