Chop Till You Drop

So, the other night I dove into “K-Shop,” this surprisingly gnarly British thriller by Dan Pringle—almost fell off my chair, to be honest. It’s this strange mix of Sweeney Todd meets a kebab shop in a small seaside town. Sounds bizarre, right? But hang with me for a sec. The film stars Ziad Abaza as Salah, a dude who takes on local hooligans with both a skewered laugh and some rather sharp knives. He’s no Meryl Streep, but the guy’s got some chops, literally and figuratively.

A Kebab with Extra Revenge

Let’s chew on the plot a bit. Salah, our avenging butcher, runs a kebab shop—just like the ones in Södermalm after a long night. But when his dad pops his clogs thanks to some booze-fueled yahoos, Salah flips faster than a Swedish pancake on a Sunday morning. He goes on a clear vendetta spree. It’s grisly but oddly satisfying like when you finally find that sock that went missing in the wash.

Memory Lane, Kebab Style

And you know, it reminded me of this time in Gothenburg ages ago, when a late-night kebab run turned into a mini saga with a lady wielding a skewered sausage. I mean, she wasn’t avenging anyone’s death, but trust me, it’s amazing how territorial folk get over their drunk food.

Pringle’s film could be a bit, well, all over the shop. Sometimes I think it tries to ram too many themes down your throat like an overstuffed pita. But that’s also part of its quirky charm. It takes a jab at consumerism, pointing fingers at how society gets lost in excess—like me trying to stop at just one cinnamon bun.

The cinematography was brooding with these raw, sweaty textures, just how a revenge flick should be. And let’s not forget the thumping soundtrack—a bit like trying to dance to ABBA after too many glasses of snaps. Doesn’t quite work, but you don’t mind it.

Do I recommend it? Maybe with a side of cultural curiosity and a strong stomach. It’s not everyone’s smorgasbord. But for those who like their satire a bit spicy and a tad unhinged, “K-Shop” throws a hearty smack of flavor your way.

Check the trailer below