In the second half of the '90s two Scandinavian directors made a successful debut that gave rise to an American remake a couple of years later. We are talking about Ole Bornedal ("Nightwatch", 1994) and Erik Skjoldbjærg ("Insomnia", 1997). Ole Bornedal made the American remake himself in 1997. The remake of "Insomnia" was made by none other than Christopher Nolan in 2002. Till the present day (May 2020) their debut is still the most valued movie for both directors.
Although both "crime movies", "Nightwatch" and "Insomnia" are very different films. "Insomnia" is charachter driven, "Nightwatch" mainly plot driven. It is difficult to write a review about a plot driven film without adding spoilers. Let me just say that "Nightwatch" is very tense with a hint of necrophilia.
Without giving away the plot I can draw the attention to two film quotes in "Nightwatch" The first is the fact that the perpetrator is eventually betrayed by the tune he whistles (alluding to "M" (1931, Fritz Lang)). The second is the fact that student Martin takes the job in the morgue thinking that it is just a form of paid studying, just like Jack Torrance thinks that being housekeeper in the deserted Overlook hotel is just a form of paid writing ("The shining", 1980, Stanley Kubrick). Both Jack and Martin get more than they are asking for.
Although both "crime movies", "Nightwatch" and "Insomnia" are very different films. "Insomnia" is charachter driven, "Nightwatch" mainly plot driven. It is difficult to write a review about a plot driven film without adding spoilers. Let me just say that "Nightwatch" is very tense with a hint of necrophilia.
Without giving away the plot I can draw the attention to two film quotes in "Nightwatch" The first is the fact that the perpetrator is eventually betrayed by the tune he whistles (alluding to "M" (1931, Fritz Lang)). The second is the fact that student Martin takes the job in the morgue thinking that it is just a form of paid studying, just like Jack Torrance thinks that being housekeeper in the deserted Overlook hotel is just a form of paid writing ("The shining", 1980, Stanley Kubrick). Both Jack and Martin get more than they are asking for.