Murderous Trance: A Swedish Twist on Hypnotic Mysteries

Ah, “Murderous Trance” — what a curious film. Directed by Arto Halonen, this flick has all the makings of those gritty, mind-bending stories we Swedes seem to love. It’s like they took a handful of Nordic noir and tossed in some trippy hypnosis just for fun. What more could one ask for on a rainy Tuesday evening?

Now, you know when people say don’t judge a book by its cover? I think I did just that when I saw Josh Lucas in the trailer. That guy’s face! You just know there’s something sneaky going on behind that charming smile. And then there’s Pilou Asbæk — he always seems to be lurking in the shadows, doesn’t he? Like the slightly creepy but loveable uncle at a family reunion. I wasn’t sure how all this would play out but decided to give it a whirl.

Did I regret it? Well, maybe a bit… the pacing, perhaps, leaves something to be desired. It’s like they got stuck in midsummer traffic on Essingeleden: you know you’ll get there, but it takes a while, and the scenery doesn’t change all that much. I guess that’s just part of the hypnosis theme, but still felt like I could’ve used a bit of that mjukost they sell at ICA to keep me from nodding off entirely.

Funny thing is, it reminded me of that one time my cousin tried to hypnotize me into believing I was a master chef – let’s just say it didn’t end well, but it sure was memorable. The intrigues in the movie carry a similar vibe – intriguing, but doesn’t quite stick the landing sometimes.

Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a shot though, especially if you, like most of us, are a sucker for a bit of mystery with your mashed potatoes. Better enjoyed with a steaming cup of kaffe and some pepparkakor, just don’t drink too much or you might not stay awake to the end.

Check the trailer below