The Innocents (2021)

August 28, 2022 5:18 PM

Four children become friends during the summer holidays, and out of sight of the adults they discover they have hidden powers. While exploring their newfound abilities in the nearby forests and playgrounds, their innocent play takes a dark turn and strange things begin to happen.

A Norwegian supernatural thriller film written and directed by Eskil Vogt.

97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Shudder. Also available for digital rental on multiple outlets. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (10 comments total)

Trigger warning: animal abuse and killing, abuse of a non-neurotypical child, violence.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:46 PM on August 28, 2022

So... does the animal abuse involve cats? Because that is a hard no for me. Otherwise, it's hard maybe.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:52 AM on August 29, 2022

It absolutely involves cats.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:34 AM on August 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Thanks; I definitely give it a pass.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:16 PM on August 29, 2022

I tried it last night, only happened upon this. But the early cat cruelty was WAY too much for me. Shame, cause I was interested in the trailer but NO.
posted by tiny frying pan at 11:13 AM on September 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

This is a bit like if Chronicle were an elegant Norwegian film about children instead of a loud American found footage film about teenagers.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:49 PM on September 2, 2022

This is fucking bleak. And so well-consructed. You'd never imagine the tension they could get from children staring each other down.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:23 PM on September 3, 2022

Wow holy shit. I just watched this, and I feel like it's kind of like a reeeeally stripped-down More Than Human.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 12:46 AM on September 6, 2022

I think if you watched this and Speak No Evil back-to-back, you could end up shaking and crying.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:16 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

I got as far as them taking the cat to the top of the stairs and noped out of it.
posted by johnofjack at 3:34 AM on December 24, 2022