F (aka The Expelled): An Evening of Goosebumps and Guesses

Alright folks, strap in because we’re delving into F (The Expelled), a film that, let me tell you, picks at the nerves in a way only a few dare try! Directed by Johannes Roberts, known for his knack for making us sweat bullets in our armchairs, this movie claws its way into the survival horror genre with genuine Swedish grit.

I remember back in the day, sitting in a dimly lit classroom in Norrland, that same eerie chill having over for you as the film tries to capture. The premise—a group of teachers battling off mysterious assailants in their high school—makes it a real nail-biter, the kind that makes you squirm like you’ve just eaten surströmming for the first time. Although, if you ask me, it’s more than just horror; it’s a dance with fear itself, one we all know well. Whoever thought school hours could stretch into the night of terror, eh?

There ain’t any blockbuster stars here but that’s half the charm: it feels raw and unpredictable. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a big Hollywood face now and then, but here, it adds to the suspense, ironically due to the unfamiliarity. But I kinda missed a more substantial sense of backstory. You know those haunted looks by someone who’s seen too many storms in Gotland? Would’ve helped connect a bit more.

At times, it dances on the edge of “don’t-go-in-there!” cliché, but Roberts keeps us guessing, like figuring out a decent recipe for kroppkakor. The camerawork flits between claustrophobic and liberating, tugging at your senses like a Nordic thriller should. Pretty cleverly done!

For a night when the Northern lights ain’t there to awe you, F could very well fill that void. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, with just the right sprinkle of Swedish dread to tingle down the spine!

Check the trailer below