Director: Rasmus Merivoo
Year: 2021
Country: Estonia
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Creature Feature; Horror/Comedy
Plot:
Wanting to go on an adults-only trip, a father takes his children to his grandmother's house for a technology-free weekend, and after learning of the legend of a Kratt decide to use it to help their chores only for the released creature to run wild through the village forcing them to stop it.
Review:
This was an enjoyable if somewhat problematic effort. One of the best features here comes from the films' more endearing and child-friendly aspects that serve to build the terror rather nicely. The early portions of the film involving the scenes of the kids on the playground going through their usual routine cleaning up around the farm and finding the truth about the lifestyle in the area until they meet the twins next door and are able to finally enjoy something about the town feel like a genuine kid-centered slapstick comedy. The simplicity of her way of life against the same treatment the parents receive at the wellness retreat while the group of kids attempting to cope with the lack of technology brings a great counterbalance to everything.
As well, there's a great deal of fun had with the creation of the creature and it getting loose in the community. From the kids' initial discovery of the creatures' existence and the journey to uncover its origins to make one for themselves, there's a more pronounced and decided mixture of including whimsical elements into a more obvious horror-based scenario of the kids creating a demon to do work for them in order to goof off more. The restlessness that eventually leads to the rampage through the villagers that eventually results in the exorcism to free here is a fine mix of cheesy action and tons of gore while bringing a lot of aspects together. These are what hold the film up with a lot to like about it.
There isn't much to dislike here but it does have some problems. The films' biggest issue is the convoluted storyline that takes on way too many concepts for its own good. The lives of the people in the town, including the mayor trying to get through the day without being bothered by asinine requests, the logging company looking to bulldoze a sacred forest, or the activists trying to save it, just seem to serve as padding since none of the issues really come together and work mainly as a way to introduce bodies into her rampage. As well, there's the seemingly complex message about the film being anti-technology involving all the kids being forced off their phones for extended periods yet the film still resolves itself with finding answers in technology which seems highly counterproductive to its message. However, it’s not enough to hold this one back overall.
Overview: ***.5/5
An enjoyable enough genre effort that features a fun mixture of child-friendly whimsy and some more adult features in the horror features as well, there’s enough to like with these features to hold up over the minor flaws on display. Give this a look if you’re curious about the style or approach on display or the country’s output, while those turned off by the flaws or approach taken should heed caution.
This review ran as part of our coverage of the 2021 Fantasia International Film Festival. Click the banner below to check out all of our coverage, including reviews and interviews, from the event:
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