Juegos Inocentes

It took me a while to decide whether I liked it or not. I guess it's one of those movies that are just... fine. I don't feel like I wasted my time but it didn't leave me thinking "what a great movie" either.

De uskyldige (The Innocents) is an atmospheric, nicely shot slow burner that ultimately fails to justify its demanding 117-minute running time. The first half is quite slow, with little narrative substance and virtually no dialogue - just children being mean and creepy - so that by the end of the first hour it begins to drag. The pace eventually picks up over the last 40 minutes, which are delightfully tense and suspenseful and manage to keep you on the edge of your seat with some great spooky (and gruesome) scenes, but at this point it feels like too little too late. Nice cinematography and sound that enhance the eerie overtone of the movie; the kids' acting is excellent.

Overall, a nice suspense/supernatural flick with a nordic vibe going on (one can't help but think of von Trier's similar nordic oddity Riget). I just think it could have used a bit more plot and a shorter runtime.

-1 as movie script needed more elements for its long 2 hours run .

Good cast , mostly good direction, good cinematography.

Some will think this movie is crap but lover of europeen movies will probably like it a lot, i did. Just dont expect much with horror expostion, special effects.

Very reccomended wt subtitles, not many lines of dialogues.

Another treat from the writer of Thelma (2017) and Louder Than Bombs (2015). It is a slowburner but never loses suspense thanks to fluid direction, good cinematography and superb performances from the child actors. The premise is original and the atmosphere heavy and dark. A very interesting way to tackle the loss of innocence. If you like dark thrillers with supernatural elements, you should not miss this one.

There are certain things that are just plain horrible. But not far removed from ... reality. I mean characters - or how certain kids act and react. Testing things out - doing stuff that can be considered evil by any moral compass and code.

Having said that, this takes this evil to another level. Not to mention that the movie is ... quite fantastical. There are things here - that kids fantasize about ... but never really happen (at least not in our universe). The kids are not all alright ... but they are phenomenal when it comes to the acting. Which is pivotal, considering they are the main actors here. Beautifully shot, edited and a really good sound design, help the movie to reach and hold the viewers attention ... and then some. Certain scenes may be too graphic - but also quite a punch in the gut for some viewers. The movie is relentless ... and does not hold back ...

How would you feel, if your desires could be real, if what you wished for just came true, if what you thought, your friends knew too; how would you behave, knowing the world could be your slave, influencing what folks do, knowing they didn't have a clue.

It's all a bit Carrie lite, and it's definitely not a horror film but more an expression of the feelings of children in a world that has been unable to provide a slice in their life that aligns with their expectations. Hormonal rage and retribution, the chaos of growing up, the growing pains and misinterpretations, the immaturity and the fears of a child - don't take it too literally, unless of course you're of a certain age.