Fantastic Fest 2023
Greetings again from the darkness. Billed as a Norwegian comedy-horror, it's unfortunate that this latest from director Magnus Martens didn't work on either front for me ... although I absolutely adore the premise. A typical American family inherits a family farm in Norway, and quickly decide to relocate to the farm and turn the barn into a Bed and Breakfast for tourists who want to enjoy country life and the spectacular views. Of course, this happens after we've seen the opening and what happened to the previous owner a month earlier.
The teenage daughter (Zoe Winther-Hansen) is angry about leaving her friends behind. The stepmother (Amrita Acharia) is trying to put on a happy face for the family, while the goofy dad (Martin Starr, "Silicon Valley") is just excited for the adventure and mostly oblivious to the obstacles. It's the young son (Townes Bunner) who stumbles on the oddity living in the barn. An elf has made the dusty place his, and a local man provides the breakdown of the local legend. The son tries to explain to his family what the "Barn Elf Rules" are, but they ignore him and proceed to break all three rules.
Numerous cracks about violence in America are included (evidently part of the 'comedy'), but other than skiing being broadcast on every cable channel, the movie is neither as clever nor scary as it tries to be. Turning into an elf gore-fest with a gang of elves makes for some fight scenes that should have been more creative, and instead mostly fall flat. This is one I had high expectations for since I thoroughly enjoyed last year's VIOLENT NIGHT. At least it ends with the great Darlene Love singing "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)."
The teenage daughter (Zoe Winther-Hansen) is angry about leaving her friends behind. The stepmother (Amrita Acharia) is trying to put on a happy face for the family, while the goofy dad (Martin Starr, "Silicon Valley") is just excited for the adventure and mostly oblivious to the obstacles. It's the young son (Townes Bunner) who stumbles on the oddity living in the barn. An elf has made the dusty place his, and a local man provides the breakdown of the local legend. The son tries to explain to his family what the "Barn Elf Rules" are, but they ignore him and proceed to break all three rules.
Numerous cracks about violence in America are included (evidently part of the 'comedy'), but other than skiing being broadcast on every cable channel, the movie is neither as clever nor scary as it tries to be. Turning into an elf gore-fest with a gang of elves makes for some fight scenes that should have been more creative, and instead mostly fall flat. This is one I had high expectations for since I thoroughly enjoyed last year's VIOLENT NIGHT. At least it ends with the great Darlene Love singing "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)."