Get Away

Boy the Swedish tourism board can't be too happy about this film. They were probably just recovering from 'Midsommar' and then bam, along comes 'Get Away'. This movie was quite something.

I've never seen a film go from 0 to 100 so quickly before. The first two thirds of the film I was basically just bored. There was the odd laugh and a creepy thing or two going on, but mostly it was just fodder. Then a twist came out of absolute left field and suddenly the film went off the walls bonkers for the entire final third. And that portion of the film I mostly loved.

The film is lacking a lot of polish. I also thought with Nick Frost writing it that it might've been a little funnier overall too. It's impossible to hate a film like this, however I simply can't give it more than a 5.5/10.

Greetings again from the darkness. Every movie review provides the opportunity to walk the line between telling enough, but not too much. Some movies pose more of a challenge than others, and this is one. Director Steffan Haars (the 'New Kids' movies) and writer-actor Nick Frost team up to deliver a devilish and campy folk horror-slasher-comedy that brings a bit of innovation to genre that could use a boost.

Nick Frost stars as Richard Smith, a Dad-Joke-loving goof desperate for a relaxing holiday with his family. He's joined by his wife Susan (the multi-talented Aisling Bea), and their teenagers Sam (Sebastian Croft, "Heartstopper") and Jessie (Maisie Ayers in her first feature film). Their odd choice for the 'get away' is Svalta, a remote Swedish island that sports a dark history with its tragic 19th century plague that nearly wiped out the population. The family has scheduled the trip around the Festival of Karantan (Quarantine) marking the unfortunate events of yesteryear.

Upon their arrival, the locals give them an icy and somewhat threatening reception. Referring to the festival as a "play" doesn't help their cause, and it's only when their creepy Airbnb landlord (Eero Milanoff) shows up to claim them does the tension soften a bit. The house they've rented seems perfect, but soon things feel a bit off. Sam's vegetarian diet and Jessie's spirited approach add an extra dimension, while Richard and Susan play off each other expertly (as we'd expect from Frost and Bea).

This was my second Nick Frost horror movie in less than a month, as this is on the heels of his much less funny turn in BLACK CAB. Of course, he's known for his comedic turn in the Cornetto trilogy, and his screenplay here is quite impressive. The film really plays up the whole "outsiders" feeling unwanted ... just before the magnificent twist that turns the film into an off-the-rails blood bath. Barry Blue singing "I Eat Cannibals" provides a fitting musical ending to this wild ride from Shudder Films.

Opening in theaters on December 6, 2024.

Nick Frost likes a light horror. After just starring in the ghostly "Black Cab" he stars in and wrote extremely silly slasher send-up "Get Away". He & wife Aisling Bea (with teen kids Maisie Ayres & Sebastian Croft) go on holiday to a small, remote Swedish island that's about to go into its annual macabre festival... and does NOT want them there. Though the story has hints of "Midsommer" the style couldn't be more different, and the quality's way off too. Steffen Haars' direction is basic and the performances are mediocre (though Ayres is decent on her big-screen debut, as are Eero Milonoff & Anitta Suikkari as nutty local Swedes). It's moderately entertaining, but sure ain't great.

Comedy-Horror is the great misunderstood genre, but breaking it down to the two bear essentials: comedy has to be funny, horror has to be scary. This is neither. Thank God it was short.

The only positive in this film is Aisling Bea, who is inherently funny and watchable. Other than her, Nick Frost turns his usual lacklustre performance for any of his films that don't include Simon Pegg and the two thirty-year-old "kids" have all the acting chops and charisma of curdled milk.

Any twists are telegraphed a mile off and the dialogue portrays less than a cursory one-pass at attempting humour.

The first half of the film was bland and the second half was meandering and pointless. No doubt it'll disappear without a trace, which is all it deserves.

Okay, so I didn't really have high hopes for this film at first simply by reading the synopsis. The main reason I even picked out the film is because I love Nick Frost. I'm so glad I took a chance on this film as it is just so damn fun and entertaining from beginning to end. To say too much would be giving away the twist that makes the film such a great film. Frost also wrote the film and his sense of humor is all over the film. It's not the type of film you're expecting but the entire cast is so committed that it makes the experience of watching it so much more fun. Of all the Frost films released in '24, this was my favorite!