Isolerad (2010) User Reviews

old fashioned horror - simplicity done well

[SpannersGerm669 · 6/10 · 30 April 2014]

I was very surprised by the end result of this little known Horror/thriller from Norway.

its simple film making done with a great deal of respect which will immediately draw comparisons to the works of Roman Polanksy and Alfred Hitchcock. Its not so much what you see, its what you feel. Its the atmosphere that's strangling the air from you. Its the feeling of the walls closing in on you. Its psychology in a film that is a forgotten art. Is the main character in danger, or is he going insane? The level of uncertainty gives the audience no comfort in feeling any control. In a era of gore and nudity, this movie is a welcome breath of fresh air and shows that there are still directors out there who are willing to produce top quality Cinema to the horror movie goers.

Definitely a movie that needs to be more widely recognized.

Great Psychological Thriller

[barbarak-741-23443 · 9/10 · 15 January 2011]

CORRIDOR reminds me of a time when suspense was the critical element of any good thriller, and gore took a backseat (if it were even a passenger). The psychological impact of this film truly surprised me, as I fell victim to the moodiness and masterfully increasing tension as the film progressed. Literally on the edge of my seat throughout, I loved that while I didn't like the main character, I found myself relating to his plight and growing very sympathetic towards him as the story unfolded. This is a cleverly crafted thriller, both fast-moving and suspenseful. It's the kind of film I desperately want to own on DVD or BluRay so I can force my friends to watch it, knowing they will be forever grateful that I did. I highly recommend it to any thriller fan who is not afraid of a few subtitles.

Small but brilliant psychological thriller

[johannes2000-1 · 10/10 · 24 September 2021]

This movie is - at least for me - a hidden gem! The makers succeeded in making this psychological thriller maximum effective with a minimum in means. No sophisticated special effects, let alone CGI, not even a supporting musical score, it's all in the clever script, the subtle direction and editing, the scarce dialogues, and last but certainly not least in the brilliant acting of Emil Johnsen.

Johnsen is totally convincing as the slightly neurotic and autistic student Frank, who accidentally becomes the target of the violent lover of his upstairs neighbor, subsequently goes out of his mind with fear and panic, cowardly tries to lay low or hide or run away, and in the process takes one stupid decision after another, up until a last irrevocable and fatal one.

Frank is not a likable character, but you still team up with him, because his mortal fear is so understandable, as is his constant impuls to duck away. In that way the movie isn't just an intense thriller, but also holds a mirror. The last shot of forlorn and guilt ridden Frank makes you almost sense his shame yourself.

Small as it may be, I really think it's a brilliant movie, and rank it a 10!

delicate - precise

[Vincentiu · 4 February 2013]

a good thriller. this is first definition. a precise science of tension. that is its basic virtue. and extraordinary art to give to viewer place of character. because it seems be slice of reality , chain of events not out of chance to live in each existence. the hidden fear - that is the demon who dominate entire movie. this is axis of gestures and words of characters. and, sure, the love - ordinary character of this kind of films - has, in this case, special flavor. it is a dark adventure. cold, smart, precise. lesson of Scandinavian thriller. so, must see it ! far from expectations, it is special on a scene in which terror is result of scary instruments. in this case is little simple. or only complicated. because it is a good opportunity to discover measure of a wise director craft.

Neighbour hood (watch)

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 14 March 2024]

No pun intended - what do you make if you have a noisy neighbor? How do you deal with him(them)? It is not an easy one to answer - especially because you can't know what the other person in thinking ... or might do to you. Close corridors included - and a lot of tension.

Very well shot and with an amazing Peter Stormare - he was quite famous when this was made. I reckon he must have liked the script! Quite the wicked and disturbing character he is playing - nothing new for him. But maybe there is more to him than we first see? The story is built so we have a special view - so you may think that the movie does not have any surprises for you - but I think it can twist and turn itself so in the end ... you may be at least a little bit surprised ... just saying.