Based on the bestselling book by Lars Kepler, The Hypnotist is a slow yet captivating movie from director, Lasse Hallström (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen). A family is slaughtered; the only survivor is the son, who is comatose and unable to help the police with their enquiries. Of course, the best thing to do in this situation is enlist the help of a disgraced hypnotist, Erik Maria Bark. In the vein of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Hypnotist contains enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing, although the conclusion is rather unsatisfactory and does little to explain the whereabouts of several integral characters. Worth watching if you’re a fan of Stieg Larsson and The Killing.

ADAM MILLARD

Second opinion

A handsome looking film with great cinematography and decent acting which is let down by plot inconsistencies and plausibility in the final act.

MICHAEL WILSON

A new Nordic noir directed by Lasse Hallstrom featuring some superb acting and direction and a plot that rapidly went from a bit farfetched to outright daft, making me wonder if Nordic Noir is actually just giallo in cold weather.

JOHN LLEWELLYN PROBERT

Director: Lasse Hallström
Starring: Tobias Zilliacus, Mikael Persbrandt, Lena Olin
Certificate: 15
FrightFest Screening: 24 August 2013

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