Hager

Kevin Kopacka's film Hager (or Hades, as per international title) is surely not for everyone. Especially viewers expecting a cohesive story will have some problems with this films. But those who enjoy film as an art form, where atmosphere and the uncanny rule over classic story structure are sure to have a great time with this film.

Visually enticing (no surprise reading that the director originated as a painter) with an immersive soundtrack that creates an ever inducing dread, Hager is a nightmare that slowly unfolds before us. Highly enjoyable!

This film portrays our protagonist's descent into hell in very unique way that left me a bit confused. Nightmare and reality seem to blend into each other and it's hard to know what is really happening.

Visually the film is very interesting and it's unpredictable which is also very good.

Might be good to watch while in acid.

I usually give every movie a chance, but after 25 minutes I had to turn it off. Oh, my God, the movie is bad.. can't understand the 7.1 review!

Besides classics like Nosferatu or Caligari, German cinema is not known for imaginative horror. Luckily this has changed over the last few years with young German filmmakers creating daring and interesting new horror flicks.

HAGER is definitely one of them. Kopacka'a debut is a creative explosion of dread inducing atmosphere with images and sounds to match. The story of cop Til Hager who is tasked with tracking down a new drug that supposedly invokes visions of hell is told in a way that makes the viewers feel as if they had just taken said drug. With each scene we're plunged deeper into the depths of hell.

While the hypnotic psychedelic visuals and abstract form of narrative will surely find its fans, it's the clever parallels to Dante's Divine Comedy that really impressed me. The film is much more than it lets on and the director clearly knows his Greek mythology.

Very happy for this addition to a (hopefully) new Era of modern European horror.

"Hager" is a unique film, that feels like a drug trip, in that it is very trippy, disorientating, elusive and oddly satisfying.

Loosely based on Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, Hager tells the story of police detective Till Hager (Philipp Droste) who is tasked with tracking down a new drug that is said to give a glimpse into the depths of hell.

While there are millions of ways this story could play out, Kopacka chooses to tell it in an unpredictable and abstract way, that - while perhaps too abstract for a mainstream audience - had me at the edge of my seat.

The film's ending is arguably it's strongest point, where all the built up pressure finds it's release in a simple, yet effective way.

In the end this is a film that might be too abstract or extreme for most, but those looking for a dark and thought provoking fever dream, will be sure to enjoy this ride.