I gotta admit, “D-Railed” had me hooked from the moment I heard about it. Mix a train derailment with a monster flick, and you’ve got me intrigued. It’s like someone threw “Snowpiercer” and a classic creature feature into a blender.

The film begins like a good ol’ murder mystery on a train. You know, with the passengers all dressed up for a themed event. It’s Pepparkakor and glögg vibes, you can almost smell the cinnamon in the air. But soon enough, things take a wild turn when the train derails and plunges into a nearby lake. Just as you think you’re settling into a disaster movie, BAM! Monsters come creeping out of the woodwork, or in this case, the murky depths.

What threw me for a loop was how the filmmakers managed to keep up the tension, despite a budget that clearly wasn’t anywhere near Hollywood blockbuster standards. The atmosphere, the fog on the water, the creaky old train carriages, it all felt rather genuine, like a Swedish vinterkväll, cold and suspenseful.

But, here’s the rub—while the setting was on point, some of the acting was as stiff as a week-old knäckebröd. The characters could’ve used more depth, more meat on their bones. I found myself not really caring if some of them got gobbled up by the monsters.

One thing that did stand out was the sound design. The echoing screeches of the monsters, mixed with the creaking metal of the sunken train, honestly gave me goosebumps. Reminded me of a camping trip I took up in Norrland, by a lake. We sat up all night, listening to the eerie sounds of the woods, half-expecting a myling or näcken to pop out. Fun times.

All in all, “D-Railed” is a mixed bag. It’s got atmosphere in spades, but falters with character development and acting. It’s like having a great cup of Swedish coffee with a rather stale kanelbulle. Good, but not quite hitting the spot.

For those who fancy a bit of a quirky, spooky romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously, take the plunge. But if you’re after character depth, maybe look elsewhere. Either way, here’s the trailer. Enjoy!