Tockinit not horrible nor great

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Claire Dunne One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

santiagocosme Ondskan is a great movie.I watched it in the original language subtitled, and still, within minutes I knew I would enjoy it. The protagonist is a young lost man who finds in fighting a way to express himself, upset by the things that happen in his life. He is sent to a Boarding school were the seniors humiliate the younger on a daily basis. But our protagonist will have none of it and stands up to them from day one. A battle of forces starts and continues, and we are left to see if the seniors will manage to break the spirit of their rebellious new companion. If it wasn't subtitled, I would re-watch it almost immediately. The point is, this was a good watch. I sincerely recommend it.

valis1949 ONDSKAN is a film which leaves the viewer in a very conflicted position. Is this a film about the inherent immorality of violence, or is it an examination of the valid uses for violence? Erik has been expelled from a Swedish public school for fighting, and is sent to a posh boarding school. The school's staff encourages the upperclassmen to maintain order and discipline, and they take things too far--way too far. Public beatings, which border on torture, are meted out for small transgressions. The only way to escape the seniors' wrath is to "fit in, and don't make waves". Eric is able to successfully complete his year in this outrageous excuse for an institution, first by viciously meting out his own brand of bloody violence, and then, by employing the legal system. All of the violent scenes in the film are presented in reverential detail. If the message is that violence is bad, how can the particulars of the violent behavior be depicted in such loving, sadomasochistic detail? The only scene of violence that we do not see is when Erik violently confronts his evil step-father. However, in a tightly controlled monologue, he painstakingly details exactly what he is about to do, and it ain't that pretty at all. ONDSKAN is beautifully shot, the plot is engaging, and the actors are convincing. However, the message is twisted. Have we just watched a film about violence as a manifestation of Evil, or is the message that extreme violence may be used for the greater good? Or, if the ends are noble enough, can they truly justify the means?

secondtake Evil (2003)Evil is Not Where You Think--Could be Called Triumph of the WillSustained mainly by solid direction and good acting, and suffering from a low-level familiarity and brush with boy-school clichés, Evil is eminently watchable, ultimately rewarding. It slowly builds on the compelling lead boy/man played by Andreas Wilson, and the violence he almost unbelievably rises above. He is saved by friendship and love (and sex, maybe), and has to endure not just a cruel stepfather but a cruelly wimpy mother who lets him get a beating for nearly nothing.The most chilling part of the whole power-tripping by these boys is not that it's believable (it is and it isn't, in turns), but that it is a metaphor for what has happened already: Nazi Germany in the 1930s, a culture built on intimidation, old fashioned rule of honor over justice, and a forbidding of so-called snitching (of telling the necessary truth when inconvenient to someone in power). And of course, being in power this way really is a sham, a house of cards that has to be maintained by ever vigilant violence, and threats, and deception.I'm not making up the metaphor, either. The meanies in the boy's dorms are distinctly Nazi-esquire, and there is even an absurd (patently absurd, alas) scene of a teacher stereotyping boys by body type--the inferior Southern type against the better, stronger Germanic type, etc etc. It's appropriately sickening, and good to see in this Swedish film, Sweden as a nation having still some angst-wrestling to do over their role (or lack of role) in exactly this area--fighting Nazis and Nazi social tactics. It's subtle enough to work, and by the end you share the main character's triumph.Women will fall in love with Wilson, by the way, a kind of Nordic James Dean. I'm not sure if that's a carrot or a stick. But watch him. He's a true case of triumph of the will.

MartinHafer It is unfortunate that ONDSKAN ("EVIL") came out when it did, as it was narrowly beaten out for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film because it was up against one of the best films in that category that's so far been seen. THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS is a stunning film, but in most other years I think that ONDSKAN would have taken the prize--it was that good a movie.One of the big reasons I was so excited to see this film is that it rarely took the anticipated route--often surprising me because of its intelligently written script. When the film begins, the viewer naturally thinks the evil mentioned in the title is the lead character, Erik. After all, he appears to be a sociopathic sadist as you see him beating a fellow classmate and showing no remorse whatsoever as he's expelled from public school. I hated Erik and I am sure practically everyone watching the film felt the same way. However, out of the blue, you slowly learn that despite his temper, Erik is not above redemption and he actually tries very hard to follow the rules at an exclusive prep school.In fact, the "evil" is referring to the school and the brutal system that is in place. Upper class men are bullies of the worst possible kind and yet despite horrible humiliation and torment, Erik is determined to withstand all the injustices because he wants to get into college and make something of himself. It was amazing how after a short time, you were hoping Erik would be violent and act out on his natural impulses! But instead, he proves he is better than the upper class snobs and fascists who to run roughshod over the younger students.Later, the film takes many interesting twists and turns--most of which you probably won't anticipate--after all, the writing is brilliant and they don't take the cheap or clichéd way regarding the plot. I'd talk about all these great moments, but don't want to ruin it for you. Suffice to say, Erik does have revenge, of sorts, but he's able to also preserve his humanity in the process. Plus, the film really ends well with an implied ending that doesn't need to be seen--trust me on this.About the only negatives are the adultness of the film. While this might be okay for some teens, it's still a very adult film due to some intense violence and a scene involving feces and vomit (it's NOT for the faint-hearted).Great acting, writing and direction--this film is amazing. Give it a watch--but not with the kids, please!!