Each month, Nordic Watchlist curates the best in film, TV, and literature from across the Nordic region, bringing you our standout picks in one place. Nordic Spotlight: Best in Screen and Page is your go-to roundup for the most compelling stories, gripping performances, and must-read books that caught our attention.
It has been a little quieter with a handful of series to watch, a great film adaptation, and another film festival highlight to look out for too – here are our reviews!
This Month on Nordic Watchlist
- TV Series Review: Deception
- TV Series Review: Arctic Circle Season 3
- Interview: Mattias Skoglund discusses The Home
- Interview: Thomas Enger and Johanna Gustawsson
- Film Review: Little Siberia
- Film Festival Review: Electric Child
FILM: Little Siberia | Netflix (Worldwide)
This month, Little Siberia rocketed onto our screens, delivering a darkly comic and brilliantly unpredictable ride. Adapted from Antti Tuomainen’s acclaimed novel, the film captures his signature blend of dark humor and suspense. Set against the icy backdrop of Finland, a meteorite crashing into a small town sets off a chain of events that are both absurd and gripping. With its sharp writing, captivating performances, and a knack for mixing existential musings with laugh-out-loud moments, Little Siberia stood out as one of our favorite watches. It’s a perfect pick for those who enjoy a healthy dose of black humor with their Nordic noir.
FILM: The Home | Film Festival (SXSW)
One of the most haunting titles we had the chance to explore this month was The Home, a chilling Swedish horror that made its mark at SXSW Festival in Austin. Directed by Mattias J. Skoglund, the film follows Joel, a man forced to return to his hometown to care for his ailing mother, Monika, after she suffers a severe stroke. As her condition worsens and she begins to exhibit disturbing behavior, Joel starts to believe that something sinister has followed her back from the brink of death. In our conversation with Skoglund, he reflected on adapting the book into a psychological horror that blends supernatural fear with deep emotional exploration. The film delves into themes of trauma, memory, and the unsettling fear of losing control, offering more than just your typical horror. With its intense atmosphere and thought-provoking narrative, The Home is one to keep firmly on your radar when it releases. Horror fans, prepare yourselves—this one lingers.
FILM: Birthday Girl | BFI Player (UK)
This month, Birthday Girl captivated us with its intense atmosphere and powerful performances. Directed by Michael Noer (Nordvest, Prisoner), the film follows Nanna (Trine Dyrholm) and her daughter Cille (Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl) on a Caribbean cruise that turns into a nightmarish thriller after Cille is sexually assaulted. Noer, who researched real-life cruise crimes, uses the claustrophobic setting to explore the societal response to such trauma. Dyrholm’s transformation from carefree mother to relentless protector is striking, with her dynamic with Lindahl being central to the film’s emotional depth.
For deeper insights, don’t miss our interview with Michael Noer and Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl.
A gripping, 90-minute thriller, Birthday Girl is an unflinching look at justice and its complexities.
TV SERIES: Deception | Channel 4 / Walter Presents (UK)
This month, Deception drew us in with its slick mix of wealth, power, betrayal, and passion. Set in the world of high-stakes drama, the Finnish series follows Riku, a man who infiltrates the glamorous lives of the rich in Helsinki to pay off debts to a criminal gang. As he navigates the tangled web of lies, love, and seduction, he finds himself falling for Linda, the fiancée of a wealthy gym owner. The series expertly blends the timeless story of two contrasting worlds colliding with modern-day intrigue, keeping viewers hooked from episode to episode. With its stylish direction, sharp visuals, and a soundtrack that sticks with you, Deception brings a fresh twist to the Nordic crime genre. If you’re a fan of high drama and sharp tension, this is definitely one to watch.
What did you discover this month? Anything we have missed and need to catch?
