Venus: A Celestial Tango with Us Earthlings

So folks, I found myself watching Venus the other night, and let me tell you—I’ve got thoughts. Directed by the ever-intriguing Jaume Balagueró, the film had me on my toes, scratching my head, and occasionally laughing when I really shouldn’t be. It’s a wild ride, a bit like taking a Volvo off-road, not knowing if it’ll make it.

First off, Ana Rujas absolutely steals the show. Her performance is like a cup of perfectly brewed Swedish coffee—intense, full-bodied, and maybe a little too much if you’re unprepared. She gives life to a character that feels positively un-Swedish in her openness; there’s a worry in her eyes reminding me of my nephew’s first day in kindergarten, wide-eyed and jittery.

The film itself, part horror, part psychological drama, stirs more than just the senses. There’s that eerie ambiance that Balagueró is infamous for—you know it! It’s like stepping into an abandoned IKEA at midnight—familiar yet disconcertingly foreign.

Speaking of familiar, the film’s exploration of identity hit a little too close to home. It took me back to Christmas dinners at my grandma’s, where everyone was juggling two identities—the quiet Swedish and the loud, joyful Yugoslavian. As in Venus, the tension between self and expectation can be haunting.

On the downside, the pacing felt a tad off, like the train to Åre in the winter months—a bit unpredictable. At moments I thought, “Come on, man, pick up the pace!” but then again, life’s not always like a finely tuned ABBA number, right?

But perhaps that’s the beauty of it. Venus is not perfect, but neither is gazing up at the stars on a chilly December night. It’s a canvas painted in broad, bold strokes with a few irregularities that make it feel, dare I say, human. So go see it—if you’re into celestial chaos and edge-of-your-seat vibes. It’s definitely something you’d want to chat about over fika.

Check the trailer below