Sometimes the scariest movie is the one with no blood, no guts, no gore.
Most of the scary films showcased at Fantastic Fest feature monsters, serial killers, or even killer tires. But directors Johan Lumborg and Johan Storm aren’t scared by those things. When introducing their short film Rosenhill, they said they wanted to make a film about what scared them the most: the inevitability of growing old.
Rosmarie (Margreth Weivers) is an aging woman, who willingly allows her daughter Elisabeth to put her in a nursing home. She doesn’t want to be a burden. Before Elisabeth leaves, they meet with head nurse Anna, and she makes sure Rosmarie is settled and comfortable. During her first night, Rosmarie is woken from her sleep by the maddened cries of an old man down the hall. After many sleepless nights, Rosmarie complains to Elisabeth, who comes to talk with Anna about their concerns. Anna assures them they will not have this problem anymore.
Rosmarie hears the screams yet again and wanders down the hall to investigate. She finds two nurses drowning the man in his bed. Frightened and alone, Rosmarie runs to her room and calls Elisabeth the very next morning. When Elisabeth comes to confront Anna, Anna convinces her that Rosmarie has made it all up. Rosmarie now lives in constant terror of the people who have been put in charge of her life, while her own daughter doesn’t believe her accusations.
Rosenhill, a short film from Sweden, is a refreshing and original story that is very well executed. The tension consistently builds throughout the film’s 29 minute run time, and the audience is terrified for Rosmarie. Weivers, who hasn’t been in anything else that I recognize, gives a perfect performance; we immediately empathize with her situation. The pacing and the story feel Hitchcockian, especially the twist. You never quite know who’s crazy – is it Rosmarie or Rosenhill? Even though the film doesn’t have blood, guts, or gore, Lumborg and Storm created one of the most frightening films at Fantastic Fest.
Director: Johan Lumborg & Johan Storm
Notable Cast: Margreth Weivers, Carina Johansson, Marie Delleskog
Writer(s): Johan Lumborg, Johan Storm
