Heilstätten: A Haunting Tale or Just Haunted? 🤔

Alright, grab a cup of coffee, maybe some kanelbullar, and let’s dive into Heilstätten. This flick, directed by Michael David Pate, lands somewhere between a spine-chilling night and that awkward panic when you realize you’ve left your keys inside the apartment.

So, if you don’t know, Heilstätten is set in this creepy, rundown sanatorium outside Berlin. It’s the kind of place you’d probably hear the låt of a ghostly violin player echoing through the hallways if you listened closely enough. And the film kinda captures that eerie vibe. It features a gang of YouTubers seeking paranormal thrills, and… come on, we’ve all been there, right? Chasing that big break or just a thrill during a long mörk vinter.

Now, the cast isn’t exactly A-list — no Clooney or Blanchett here, but Lia von Blarer and Nilam Farooq do a decent job screaming and running around convincingly. They pull you into their anxiety, which, let’s be honest, is half the fun of watching a horror movie from your comfy sofa. It’s just like when I was a kid, trying to convince my siblings that the shadows in the gardin were just trees. Spoiler: they never bought it.

But here’s where it gets a bit sketchy. The jump scares? They’re like lösgodis; you know they’re coming and yet they’re oddly satisfying. Yet, I can’t help but feel we’ve seen this concept before, with movies like Blair Witch Project setting the gold standard. Heilstätten lacks a bit of originality, even though it tries hard with its found footage style. There’s an annoying predictability to who survives and who doesn’t.

I’m torn. There’s a rawness and tension that works well but also places where it feels like it’s trying to be something it’s not, like wearing a 10-gallon hat to a glögg party. But, maybe that’s what some folks like — a familiar thrill ride with all the expected turns.

Overall, Heilstätten offers a few thrills and chills, perfect for a Friday night with some kexchoklad. Just, don’t expect it to reinvent the horror genre. And remember, always check for ghosts. That’s just common sense.

Check the trailer below