Sugarhouse: A Peculiar Roller Coaster of Crime and Chaos

Well, folks, “Sugarhouse” is one of those films that sneaks up on you like a cat in the night, and suddenly you’re like “Oj då, where’d this come from?” Directed by Gary Love, it’s a gritty Brit-flick starring the unmistakable Andy Serkis, and if you think you’d seen him in peculiar roles before, just wait. This film is a cocktail of chaos, crime, and unexpected humor.

Let’s face it, though, “Sugarhouse” doesn’t always know where it’s headed. It feels like when I was looking for my favorite fiskebod near the harbor, only to realize they’d moved inland. It’s got its fair share of missteps. Serkis, playing a psychotic ex-soldier named Hoodwink, makes you somehow like him despite the unlikable traits. I mean, he’s like that scruffed-up seagull that steals your chips, annoying but you secretly root for him.

But not to forget, Steven Mackintosh and Ashley Walters are real gems here too. Walters as the streetwise dealer is like putting a bit of Lingonberry jam on your Hushållsost—adds that unexpected sweet punch.

And the music, oh boy, it echoes that chaotic London undercurrent. It’s not ABBA, mind you, but it does the trick while painting that grungy atmosphere.

Funny story, because the themes here hit home like a Swedish autumn shower. Once I heard a band play some punk rock in Gamla Stan—raw, unpredictable, a bit like “Sugarhouse.” And it struck me, this film has that same raw energy. Was I confused at times? Absolutely. Yet there’s something about it that feels apropos for today’s times, like all of us just scribbling our own messy stories.

So, if you’ve got a free evening, maybe give “Sugarhouse” a go. It might not be pure cinematic gold – more like fool’s gold – but hey, sometimes fool’s gold is just what you need.

Check the trailer below