The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Sitting there watching “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” I felt like I was back in an old theater in Stockholm, the kind where you could get away with sneaking in a bottle of folköl. Yorgos Lanthimos, that cheeky Greek director, really knows how to mess with your brain—like a classic Ingmar Bergman film on a heavy dose of… well, something quite twisted.

Colin Farrell gives his all, but in a way that feels as if he’s playing a chess match where he loses and wins at the same time. And Nicole Kidman? She’s still got that icy stare that could make even the most stubborn Norse god shiver a bit.

So, I’m sitting there—wife-free evening, a rare thing given the three screaming bundles of joy at home—and it strikes me how this film drags you into its bizarre world. I won’t spoil much, but there’s this bit with spaghetti that will forever change how you see the humble pasta på fat. The chilling sound of twisting cutlery, almost as if it’s alive, stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

But honestly? Sometimes it feels like Lanthimos is just showing off. It’s like he’s that person at the På Spåret quiz night who always picks the hardest questions just to make everyone else look like fools.

Though I couldn’t tear myself away, there were moments where I wanted to pause and scream a big ‘Varför?’. I mean, who knew Greek tragedies could take root in such a modern, cold setting?

If you ever wondered what it’s like to sprinkle a bit of Greek mythology into your psychological thriller, with hints of absurdity and a sprinkle of Swedish melancholia, give this bizarre concoction a go. Just maybe have a firm grip on your snacks.

Check the trailer below