Meskada: A Mixed Bag with a Dash of Drama

Alright, my dear film-loving friends, let’s dive into Meskada. This flick took me down a lane much like a Swedish smörgåsbord—loads to choose from, but not everything tickles your fancy. Directed by the talented Josh Sternfeld (you might remember him from Winter Solstice), Meskada hits some right notes with its tense crime drama ambiance, but it also stumbles awkwardly like one of those drunken nights during Midsummer.

First off, the film stars the ever-reliable Nick Stahl, who you might recall from Terminator 3. Though, here he swaps robotic chaos for a small-town murder mystery. I gotta say, the man knows how to brood! Alongside him, we have the charming Rachel Nichols, and no, she doesn’t play the Green Girl from Star Trek this time around. Their chemistry is decent, but at times it feels like trying to mix surströmming with kanelbullar—just doesn’t quite meld.

Now, back in 2012, I was visiting a tiny village outside of Västerås, and let me tell you, the feeling of being in a quiet place where everybody knows everybody is spot on in this movie. It reminded me of the curious eyes peeping from behind lace curtains as I wandered through streets smelling faintly of lingonberry jam and freshly baked bread.

There are moments where Meskada rises, keenly capturing small-town life and struggles. The cinematography paints with moody tones, almost like the dusky Swedish winters I miss so much. But, the plot could’ve used a bit more seasoning. It kind of meanders like a reindeer in no hurry, leaving you waiting for a bigger payoff that never really arrives.

But hey, maybe it’s just me. The film digs into themes of socio-economic divides and the choices folks make under pressure, themes that are pretty universal, I think. However, if you’re searching for an adrenaline-pumping thriller, you might need to sniff elsewhere.

To wrap it up, Meskada is like that peculiar dish at a julbord you’re unsure about—give it a taste, you might enjoy it, or find yourself reaching for the köttbullar instead. Either way, it’s an interesting exploration that gets you thinking—perhaps not the strongest, but certainly something intriguing for a quiet Wednesday evening. Cheers!

Check the trailer below