Villains

In Hollywood we have a lot of Swedish actors. And here in Sweden we are very proud about this, that there are so many wonderful actors that started their career in Swedish films and got a chance to be a part of some big Hollywood films. Just look at Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård and his amazing movie career. My earliest memory of seeing him for the first time was in the Hans Alfredsson film Den Engfaldige Mördaren ( The Simple Minded Killer ), released in 1982. This is a very deep film, that tells the story of  Sven, who is har-lipped and speak in his own unique way. Most people consider him stupid, and call him an idiot. But a life changing moment for Sven will change everything. Stellan Skarsgård gives a really good performance as Sven, and this is one of those Swedish classics that will be discovered by many generations ahead of us. Stellan has done a lot of other great films as well outside Sweden, such as the Norwegian thriller Insomnia, released in 1997. Directed by Erik Skoldbjaerg, this film tells the story of police officers Jonas Engström ( Stellan Skarsgård ) and Erik Vik ( Sverre Anker Ousdal ) who investigate the murder of 17 year old girl Tanja, found murdered in Tromsö. Insomnia is a very well made thriller, and Stellan brings us an acting performance on a high quality level. There is a really good remake of Insomnia, released in 2002 with Al Pacino and Robin Williams, that you should see as well. Stellan have 6 Children, and some of them are actors such as Alexander Skarsgård, Gustaf Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård and Valter Skarsgård. All of them have been in some really good films in the past, and they keep on working hard in the movie industry. Let´s take a moment and talk about actor Bill Skarsgård ( who most people recognize as Pennywise The Dancing Clown in IT ) I saw him for the first time in the Swedish romantic drama comedy I Rymden Finns Inga Känslor( also known as Simple Simon ), where he plays a young man with Aspergers Syndrome. I recently came across a DVD copy of Villains ( from America, no DVD release in Sweden yet for some reason ), since i was curious to see Bill Skarsgrd in a different type of film than his previous releases. Is this film a positive surprise in the career of Bill Skarsgård, or should he do other types on film instead of Villains ?

The two lovebirds Mickey ( Bill Skarsgård ) and Jules ( Maika Monroe ) rob a gas station wearing animal masks. They manage to get away with cash, in their brown Caprice Classic. This was their last sting to get enough cash to make it to Florida, but on their journey they run out of gas. Stuck on the highway, with no cars seen anywhere, Jules notice a mail box further down the road. They find a house that seems to have no one at home. But things are about to become very strange, when they find a small girl called Sweetiepie ( Blake Baumgartner ) chained in the cellar. Mickey just want to leave, while Jules want to help the girl out of there. Suddenly upstairs they meet the couple George ( Jeffrey Donovan ) and Gloria ( Kyra Sedgwick ) who offer them money if they leave. Mickey and Jules are about to find out, in this home you won´t get out unless you follow the rules of George and Gloria.

Villains is like a strange mixture of a home invasion film and the 2004 film The Stepford Wives. What do i mean with this ? Well imagine if you were to take those perfect women in The Stepford Wives, throw in a psycophath couple that takes 2 people prisoners who break into their home, and you have Villains. The world that this psychopath couple is living in inside their house, is like stepping back in time as if they still believe they are living in the 50´s or 60´s. And this is a great idea for a film, that mix very different ideas into each other, and this film manage to pull this off in a clever way. With that said, we have to talk about the characters, and especially the strongerst performance in this film. Legendary actress Kyra Sedgwick as the mentally insane wife Gloria ( who believe she is a mother of a porcelain doll ) is definetely something you won´t forget. I can tell you right now, if you have been looking for a really insane personality then Gloria is just as insane as Kathy Bates was in Misery, back in 1990. Kyra gives such a great performance that she is the main reason why you should see Villains. Jeffrey Donovan ( who some of you might have seen in the great TV series Burn Notice ) plays the insane husband George. The interesting thing about George is that he feels like a throwback to the glory days of gentlemen, one of those well dressed family fathers, but he is actually living in a dream with no remorse, no sympathy for anyone but his insane wife. Bill Skarsgård and actress Maika Monroe ( who i especially remember from the independent thriller The Guest ) both give great performances. Villains is said to be a horror comedy, but i think i would rather call it a thriller comedy, with some horror influences included. The black dark humour fits with the plot, while you get some surprises along the way. Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen have made a film that feels different from many other releases since last year, and that is something i appreciate. If you enjoy odd films, than Villains is definetely worth checking out. Now excuse me, i have a dinner to serve. I hope my uninvited guests don´t mind i have an axe near by, i do like to show my good sides of my personality.

Rating: DDD