IFC Midnight Presents: The Innocents Is A Viciously Disturbing Psychological Film

Director Eskil Vogt
Screen writer Eskil Vogt

CAST
Ida- Rakel Lenora Fløttum
Anna- Alva Brynsmo Ramstad
Aisha- Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim
Ben- Sam Ashraf
Henriette (Ida’s mother)- Ellen Dorrit Pedersen
Nils (Ida’s father)- Morten Svartveit
Hani (Aisha’s mother)- Kadra Yusuf
Ben´s Mother- Lisa Tønne

Release date

May 13, 2022

Countries of origin

Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
France
United Kingdom

Language

Norwegian/ Subtitles English

Also known as

De uskyldige

Production companies

Mer FilmZentropa International SwedenSnowglobe Films

The Innocents follows four children who become friends during the summer holidays. Out of sight of the adults, they discover they have hidden powers. While exploring their newfound abilities in the nearby forests and playgrounds, their innocent play takes a dark turn and strange things begin to happen.

Eskil Vogt assembles a very intriguing and disturbing look at the innocence of youth (under the veil of supernatural properties). The film is unapologetic, vicious and antagonizing. This is not X-men, it is a more real-to-life look at what can happen if young children discover they have unknown powers. These powers can be positive or negative depending on the child.

First off, this is an unsettling watch, there are scenes that will make the audience look away. In fact, if you find animal cruelty hard to watch, there’s a scene early on that will cause you great torment. The film uses real-life violence throughout. Vogt’s unapologetic dark theme to this film helps and makes it a fascinating watch.

Not only does the subject matter fuel this film, but the acting of the young cast is outstanding also. To get such performances makes the viewer feel as if these actors/actresses are old pros. Ida (Rakel Lenora Fløttum), Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad), Aisha (Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim) and Ben (Sam Ashraf) are flawless onscreen. Their performances each elicit such different emotions that it’s worth the admission to see these youngsters perform such adult-oriented material.

Director/Writer Eskil Vogt should garner some praise for such well-rounded storytelling. The Innocents isn’t easy subject matter and in the wrong hands could go very askew. The fact that viewers may feel empathy for the film’s protagonist is stupefying.

The film also has an amazing score which complements what is happening on screen. It twists and turns inside the viewer’s heads until the point where they cannot take it any longer. Great movies need a great score. The film’s Composer Pessi Levanto sends unrelenting shivers of anxiety down the spine with precision.

The Innocents is terrifying and will stick with viewers long after the credits roll. Everyone involved gives performances that will shock and awe. The Innocents is flat-out scary and deserves praise for being one film that delivers on many different layers.

Review by: Chris Hammond

OPENS IN SELECT THEATERS AND VOD ON MAY 13
IFC Website