Kadaver

If I were being really cynical, I’d say Netflix managed to ruin even the usually reliable Scandinavian cinema. Cadaver is honestly a mess. (28.10.2020)

This unknown Norwegian film by equally unknown filmmakers is ultimately a huge surprise, and as skeptical as I was before the film because of the reviews, I'm actually surprised by it. Cadaver has a brilliant and original idea where, in a post-apocalyptic world where there is nothing to eat, a luxury hotel lures the poor townsfolk to a performance with the prospect of getting free food for being in the audience. Gradually, though, people start to disappear, and in time it becomes clear what's going on. The best thing about the film is clearly the atmosphere, it immediately drew me in, eager to find out what was actually going on in the hotel. Not knowing what is in the hotel and what is the visitors' desperate attempt to survive is part of the surprise. Likewise, the music puts together an excellent experience that kept me on tenterhooks until the end. There's a bit of gore and some drama at the end (which I could have done without), but primarily this is a gritty atmospheric horror film and I applaud the result, even if I'm going completely against the flow of the 2-3 star reviews. This is a must for the horror/Netflix viewer, and it's good for everyone to make up their own minds about the film. This is clearly an exception where it's not good to give advance notice to negative reviews. (28.10.2020)

The film has an interesting story with an original idea. It is set in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster, where people are running out of food and struggling to survive. A charity event is held at a local hotel where visitors get free food and can take part in a play set. Soon, however, visitors begin to mysteriously disappear. The central idea is very cool, visually Cadaver is solid and the suspense works at times, but unfortunately that’s not enough. I guessed the final twist somewhere in the middle, and while I'm glad they chose that route, it definitely needed to add to the brutality and intensity. A decent average from Norway that I don't think offends, but could have got more out of the idea. Story***, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence*, Entertainment***, Music***, Visual****, Atmosphere***, Suspense***. 5/5. (23.10.2020)

The Norwegian movie Cadaver is definitely worth watching and will prove a breathtaking spectacle for some, maybe less experienced, viewers. It has a fairly simple subject matter used to build an emotionally powerful movie, although, to be honest, the conclusion felt a bit too much in that regard. (06.11.2020)