VIDAR THE VAMPIRE

Cinemavixion Review

Thomas Aske Berg and Fredrik Waldeland's "Vidar the Vampire" (2017) offers a darkly comedic and surprisingly thoughtful exploration of existential angst. The film centers on Vidar Haarr, a lonely farmer whose fervent prayer for a life unbound by earthly limitations takes a decidedly infernal turn. Instead of transcendence, he awakens as the "Prince of Darkness" in the Norwegian city of Stavanger. This premise, which could easily descend into cheap horror tropes, is instead handled with a unique blend of Norwegian deadpan humor and genuine pathos. Kathrine Jünger Ims, Thomas Aske Berg, and Marit Sanden anchor the film with performances that navigate the absurd with admirable commitment. While the film garnered 7 wins and 8 nominations, its modest IMDb rating of 5.6/10 suggests it may have been overlooked by mainstream audiences. "Vidar the Vampire" is a quirky, genre-bending piece that succeeds in its unconventional take on classic folklore, offering a fresh perspective on the search for meaning and the unexpected consequences of one's desires.