The Wayshower: A Flick With Heart, Sort Of

So I watched “The Wayshower,” and I must say—what a mixed bag! It’s like when you crave surströmming and then remember why you shouldn’t have. Directed by Jsu Garcia and Sylvia West, it’s an intriguing piece, centered around a spiritual journey. And guess who pops up in it? Eric Roberts! Now, he’s been in everything from Oscar-nominated flicks to, well, less acclaimed stuff, but his presence always adds a certain flair.

The film tries to tackle some pretty hefty themes like enlightenment, transformation, and those deep existential questions that you might ponder around the fika table. And seriously, who hasn’t wondered about the meaning of life while chewing on a kanelbulle? But the execution here felt a bit like trying to translate Ingmar Bergman into emojis. Some scenes have this raw beauty, similar to a winter morning on a Swedish fjord. Others feel as predictable as a midsummer dance around the maypole.

I remember a time—somewhere in the 90s (can’t recall exactly, blame it on advancing age)—I went to Ystad, lost in my thoughts, much like the protagonist here. There’s something about the relentless search for purpose that resonates, albeit in a slightly klumpig (awkward) way. The film did poke at that familiar feeling of “Where am I heading?” but sometimes it felt like going in circles, literally.

A highlight? The music score. Ricochets between soothing and stirring—like an unexpected hit of lingonberry jam. But, yeah, I think you might need a bit of patience for this one. Maybe give it a go on a lazy Sunday when you’re in the mood for introspection or just want to see what Eric Roberts is up to these days.

Overall, a movie with heart but not without its shortcomings. Makes for decent conversation over coffee, I reckon.

Check the trailer below