A writer whose opinion I respect recently said that The Innocents is the best Horror film of 2022. I agree that it’s a super well done film with an interesting storyline and a great cast of kids. The problem is I find myself going in circles about what is “Horror” and what is just a cool movie with creepy elements.
At any rate, The Innocents is, in fact, the highest rated horror film of the year to date, with a Rotten Tomatoes aggregate score of 97% positive. Add me to the list of thumbs uppers.
Set in a Norwegian suburban housing complex; think high rises, a young family with two daughters moves in. Younger daughter Ida (Rakel Lenora Fløttum) is whip smart, but her resentment toward her older sister, Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad), a non-verbal Autistic child who is obviously trapped in her own mind. Ida goes back and forth between being supportive of Anna and doing mean and nasty things – like pinching Anna’s legs very hard, for example. Anna can’t say anything, so…?
As these two get to know the neighbors, and through bits that I will leave for you to find, the children themselves – 4 of them now – discover that they have supernatural abilities. Usually the word “supernatural” sends me running the opposite way, but director Eskil Vogt has grounded the story so close to realism that you believe virtually every moment.
And what do these kids do with their abilities?
Well, the boy in the group, Ben (Sam Ashraf) is able to move objects with his thoughts. Okay, fair enough – but he is also able to direct actual people to do things – horrible things, by just using his mind. This sets up the crux of the film – do you use your gifts for good or evil? The other girl, Aisha (Mina Yasmin Bremseth) is more benevolent, giving her time toward helping Anna fit in, and possibly even talk?
Here’s what I really liked about the movie; the kids are all great and filmmakers will tell you how hard it is to find a kid who is at ease in character, without being a “showbiz kid” ham. Here we believe all four of the kids, which makes their good deeds poignant and their bad ones scary.
Okay, I just used the word scary – but you will not be scared so much as engrossed in the story, the setting and the unusual characters. And the final act is pretty cool, too.
The Innocents, is currently streaming on Shudder. 3 ½ out of 4 stars
Here’s the list of 2022’s Horror Films ranked from Best to Worst. You can also read some of my reviews of those listed:
