Stirring up Magical Cactus Memories

Ok, so “Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus” is this quirky little gem from director Sebastián Silva. You might know him from “The Maid” – yeah, that Silva. Anyway, this film transports you on a super trippy journey through Chile. Who doesn’t love a good road trip flick? And then you throw in Michael Cera? Well, it’s got to be something special, right?

Let me tell ya, Crystal Fairy – played by Gaby Hoffmann, a total free spirit making a splash in the film. She reminds me of a girl I met at Roskilde way back when. We didn’t have a magical cactus but shared some, let’s just say, “refreshments,” by the tent, which unlocked sides of ourselves even we didn’t know existed. Gosh, I wouldn’t exchange those moments for anything!

Now, back to the film. The whole quest for the hallucinogenic cactus is like this weird mishmash of eastern philosophy and Swedish midsummer in its laid-back exploration of self-discovery and cosmic connection. There’s something wonderfully raw in Silva’s style, how he captures the chaotic essence of a road trip: squabbles, awkward silences, bizarre encounters. Just like those misadventure-packed rides through Skåne during uni days.

But hey, not all of it dazzled me. The pacing, it is a bit like a slow Swedish summer—drifting too leisurely at times. Yet, Silva’s knack for capturing genuine, imperfect human connections kept me hooked.

It’s odd sometimes, I think, how we look for adventures outside our comfort zones. Whether it’s a magical cactus in Chile or just an 80s mix tape in an old Volvo up towards Gällivare. Maybe there’s a Crystal Fairy in all of us, urging us to seek out the uncharted, even if we look a bit silly doing it.

Check the trailer below