I went into watching “Extortion” without much expectation, to be honest. I mean, it’s not every day you stumble upon a film where the entire plot seems to hinge on a family vacation gone utterly bonkers. It’s the ultimate holiday from hell, and we Swedes know a thing or two about those special “family moments” on vacation, eh? Just replace the tropical sun with a rainy day in Västerås, and you get the idea.

So, here’s the rundown: the Perkins family heads off to the Bahamas, hoping for some sun, sea, and serenity. Instead, they find themselves in a nightmare where surgeon Kevin (played by Eion Bailey) has to save his wife and son from a cunning fisherman-turned-kidnapper. The fisherman, by the way, played by Barkhad Abdi, is just phenomenal. His performance really carried the film, which otherwise might have drifted away like an unanchored boat.

One scene that stood out – and not necessarily in a good way – was when Kevin tries to navigate through the mangroves, desperate and sweaty. Now, too much sweat might not sound like a movie highlight, but there’s something disturbingly real about watching someone so utterly out of their depth. Reminded me of the time I tried to fix my bike chain with a butter knife. Spoiler: it didn’t end well.

The movie’s tension builds up nicely, but there are moments where I felt it dragged a bit. Like, the third “near rescue” sequence felt like déjà vu. On the positive side, the cinematography and location shots are stunning – almost making you want to risk it and book that Bahamian trip. Almost.

Now, talking about themes… there’s something raw and primal about a family man pushed to extremes. We’ve all got that bit of Viking blood in us that screams to protect what’s ours, yeah? But man, Kevin makes some questionable decisions. I found myself yelling at the screen more than once. Maybe don’t do that if you have neighbours close by.

So, in the end, “Extortion” is worth a watch if you’re in the mood for a mix of high stakes and heart-thumping action. Or if you simply love swearing at characters’ bad decisions. But next time, I might stick to a cozy Bergman film. Fewer boat chases.

If you want to see what I’m talking about, check out the trailer: Extortion