The Wild Ride of Storm Rider

First off, “Storm Rider” – what a title, right? Makes you think of galloping horses and lightning strikes. Much like a dance on the thunder, this flick manages to be both exhilarating and just a tad chaotic, like a Stieg Larsson novel read upside down during a storm.

So, this one’s directed by Craig Clyde. Not exactly Ingmar Bergman, but hey, who is these days? Still, he’s managed to pull off a film that doesn’t get stuck in clichés. It’s like eating Surströmming for the first time—a bit unexpected, but hey, kinda enjoyable!

We’ve got the ever-talented Kevin Sorbo in the driver’s seat here. You remember him as Hercules, right? Here he’s more suited up, less bare-chested, but still got that charisma that could charm a fish right out of the Baltic. Kristy Swanson plays the role of Jodi—the troubled teen who’s thrown into a whirlwind of, quite literally, storms and self-discovery. Her journey is like trying to find a favorite spot around Gamla Stan but turning a hundred times to find yourself at the same coffee shop.

The story feels a lot like that summer when I’d borrow my uncle’s old bike and race down the dusty roads just to escape the monotony. There’s something wild in Jodi’s decision to find herself by fleeing into the unknown, much like my old attempts at teenage rebellion in Stockholm.

But let’s not ignore the parts that got me scratching my head like an unpicked Snus. The pacing felt a bit off; some scenes dragged like waiting for Midsommar sunshine. And there were moments where the dialogue was cheesier than Västerbottenpaj—though that could be my own Scandinavian bias peeking through.

In a cinematic world full of over-the-top CGI and loud blockbusters, “Storm Rider” is a simple, heartfelt adventure. It might not be tied with bergsmansdöttrar tales, but there’s warmth in its simplicity. Plus, it serves up just enough nostalgia to make you remember those childhood dreams of riding bareback into the sunset… or maybe that was just me.

Anyhow, if you’re up for a bit of unrushed charm and horses—plenty of ’em—then this might just be your brew for the evening. Skål!

Check the trailer below