October has been a busy month with London Film Festival and the release of some fantastic series on Viaplay! Here is our monthly Nordic Spotlight: Best in Screen and Page – October edition.
TV SERIES: Secrets | Viaplay UK & USA
ALEX: We had been thoroughly looking forward to this one and yet weren’t really prepared for it, in particular Pilou Asbaek’s performance. So often tied with being a villain in Hollywood (and most famously in Game of Thrones) here is returning to his Danish roots where, in our opinion, he always seems to deliver (see The Investigation, A War, or A Hijacking for previous examples).
In Secrets Pilou plays Mads, brother to Iben Hjelle’s Eva and a man in encountering a downward spiral with addiction – at break neck speed. The pair of them have an incredibly strong relationship but as things escalate in both their lives things begin to fall apart – will the pair of them be able to fix their wrong-doings or will it be too late?
Anyone who knows, or has suffered with, addiction will find that Mad’s portrayal is a terrifying realistic one which makes his performance all the more terrifying and heartbreaking. In an interview with Nordic Watchlist he was very upfront in sharing how much he has thrown everything into this performance and it clearly shows.
TV SERIES: All & Eva | Viaplay UK & USA
MARY: All and Eva, a six-part dramedy by Johanna Runevad, breathes fresh life into the ensemble genre, blending humor and heartache in a way that feels both quirky and real. The story follows Eva (Tuva Novotny), a 40-year-old career-driven woman who decides to have a baby on her own through a blind donation. But her plan takes a turn when she seeks out and unexpectedly connects with her donor, Mads (Joachim Fjelstrup), who remains staunchly against parenthood. Set in Stockholm, Eva’s journey is supported by her close-knit circle, including her mother, best friends Josefine and James, each with their own unique struggles. Each episode delves into these characters’ lives, providing a layered look at friendship, family, and the nuances of modern life.
The series excels through its writing, distinct humour, and the easy chemistry among the cast. Tuva Novotny’s Eva is both relatable and flawed, displaying a mix of charm and frustrating self-centeredness, while her “will-they-won’t-they” tension with Mads keeps the romantic stakes high. Sanna Sundqvist shines as Josefine, a working mother grappling with marital challenges, delivering both poignant and comedic moments. With clever touches like an a cappella recap and fourth-wall nudges, All and Eva maintains a sense of self-awareness that keeps it engaging. Through its blend of lighthearted moments and deep emotional beats, the show crafts a fresh and heartfelt take on the classic dramedy format.
FILM: Trouble | Netflix
ALEX: It seems so long ago when Trouble arrived on Netflix at the beginning of the month and here we are almost at the end of it with so many series and films watched!
If Trouble managed to escape under your radar then we certainly do recommend it as fun watch – if anything just to see Philip Berg put in a bonkers performance as a man convicted of a brutal murder that he did not commit and the only person who believes him is Amy Deasismont‘s Diana a police detective working with Eva Melander’s Helena to figure out what really happened.
At times comical and a bit lightweight the film will suddenly pull the carpet from under your feet and turn full on violent which makes it quite a roller coaster of watch and incredibly good fun.
BOOK: The Burning Stones Antti Tuomainen (Orenda Books)
GLEN: For those outside of Finland the country’s almost fanatical reverence for the sauna may be something of a mystery, but to Finn’s, it is a ritual to be savoured and enjoyed. It also provides the ultimate murder weapon in Antti Tuomainen’s latest darkly comic book The Burning Stones. As employees of a sauna manufacturer meet several grizzly ends in their saunas, the suspicion falls on sales director Anni Korpinen.
Is Anni bumping off her colleagues in the ultimate career drive?
While not as many laugh-out-loud moments as say Tuomainen’s Rabit Trilogy, The Burning Stones still has enough dry wit to balance the bleak rising body count.
What else happened in October
- Alex spoke to director Sylvia La Fanu about her debut feature My Eternal Summer
- Mary reviewed Viaplay’s All and Eva which was a huge hit!
- Glen headed to Skagen and wrote us a travel feature on his Danish adventure.
- Alex reviewed both Netflix’s Trouble and the Icelandic film When The Light Breaks
- Glen shared his Top Five Jo Nesbo novels to check out if you were new to the author
- Alex got to speak to Danish superstar Pilou Asbaek about his new series Secrets
What series did you discover and enjoy this month? Anything we have missed and need to catch?
