Rest assured “Stockholm Bloodbath” offers the viewer exactly what the title suggests. Hangings, beheadings, burning at the stake, deadly cannonballs, torn limbs and arrows wreaking havoc on the human body and all manner of ghastly terminations of lives.
In 1532 Danish King Kristian II (Claes Bang) launches yet another campaign against the head of state of Sweden, Sten Sture. Kristian wishes to reunify with Sweden and become the king of both countries.
Kristian is ruthless but his henchman Didrik Slayheck (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) is one of the vilest butchers you may have viewed on the screen in some time.
The Danes slaughter a village witnessed by the silent Freya (Alba August) as her family, including children perish in a gruesome manner. Freya is like Peter Finch in “Network” as she is mad as hell and is not going to take it anymore. She has a list and it is not who has been naughty and nice like Santa. It is revenge time and she is determined to eliminate specific Danes on that list and you are rooting for this girl quirky looking in a way but a superb archer and fighter. Don’t tangle with Freya.
The Danes dictate a deal with the Swedes promising them countless protections but can you believe these villainous cast of evil Danish characters?
I have a tad of difficulty giving a genre to the film. Can I invent a new genre of a comedic politico-historical-farce? Given the modern language used it certainly can’t be taken as a serious historical film but it does effectively impart some serious moments. At times it presents elements of a satire of 1960 Hollywood blockbuster like “Cleopatra” then it veers into comedy illustrating the manipulative aspect of religion and somewhat savage nature of religion when aligned with political goals. There are spies, traitors, double dealing politics, political cynicism, epic battle scenes and impressive costuming.
Not to be taken seriously and somewhat in the vein of the recent Finnish film “Sisu” of brutality, gore much of driven by revenge. If you enjoy watching violence that simply can’t be taken seriously and a revenge theme this is your film!
Directed by Mikael Håfström.
In theatres and On Demand as of 8November2024.
View the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzUx3idEx-k
RKS 2024 Film Rating 88/100.
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