And we are now done with all 8 films to die for!..And I’m still alive..and well I might add.
Hidden (2009)
Directed By: Pål Øie (Vakuum)
The Prologue
Hidden, also known as Skjult in it’s home country is a bit of a throwback to those slower moving, yet entertaining films from long ago. Sure it doesn’t clock in as long as those but it lacks a need to get into a hurry. But in a rare case with a slower moving film, it doesn’t really bother you THAT much as clues and important information is found along the way.
So when all is said and done and all the clues are put into place and questions KINDA answered is Hidden worth a watch?
The Movie
After his mother’s death KK (Kai Koss) returns to his home town to settle her affairs. He has been away for 19 years trying to escape and forget about his mother’s cruel treatment of him. He soon realizes that you can’t outrun your past. He pulls over the side of the road and begins reminiscing 19 yrs ago when he first left as an adolescent, and WHY. The film revolves around two boys, unknown to one another, yet a tragic accident brings them together…Sounds very dramatic huh?
I would first like to point out that this film is in subtitles, which I have no problems with at all but some of you might not like that. I’m not sure if there’s a dubbing option or not because I never use those if I can go without it..just feels kinda cheap to me. Anyway, on with the film.
There is one giant mystery that slowly unfolds as you watch Hidden but as you watch it you are unclear at first if you’re watching events unfold with supernatural beings or just looking through the eyes of someone who is crazy. That becomes clear as the movie flows along but from what I’ve read some people still seem confused about. So yes, it’s THAT kind of weird movie.
Agnes Karin Haaskjold who plays KK (and looks a lot like Richard Lynch to me) does a very fine job acting pretty distant and cold to the surroundings around him as we follow the events from when the adult KK enters the picture and he’s forced to take a pretty freaky trip down memory lane. It’s clear he doesn’t want to return home when he does return and it becomes even more clear that something else is below the surface. So, one of the best things about Hidden is it can hold your attention with the overall uncertainty of it.
The one problem about Hidden is it at times seems to be just kinda there. Not that it isn’t a very well made film, it’s just it has no punch to it. You can have your interest held but then once you get your answers you find it rather predictable and kind be a bit underwhelmed from the final resolve of the film. So is it worth seeing once? Yep, but I’m not so sure about twice.
The Conclusion
It walks the line of sub-genre pretty well and it builds you up only to let you down slightly but it’s still not all the way bad and I’d say watch it if you want. I just think the whole twist idea in movies seems to be over done as of late, and over done with the same twist.
Worth a watch or at least a rent if nothing else.
The Rating (6.5/10)
Chucks website
