The Ape (Apan) – A Swedish gut punch with a headache

Alright, so, The Ape. Jesper Ganslandt, that madman, is both director and writer here. Let me just start by saying this film is sorta like waking up with a hangover, you know? You’re confused, a bit sweaty, can’t trust your memory, and then – wham – you’re hit by something you’re not quite prepared for. I watched this at Draken in Göteborg back when it was new in 2009, with a lukewarm kanelbulle in hand (mistake), and left feeling like I’d been mugged by my own brain.

Watch out for Olle Sarri

So, Olle Sarri – maybe not a household name like Persbrandt, but here, wow. He drags you headfirst into his character’s misery, barely saying a word. It’s like a Swedish forest in November: silent, gloomy, cold as satan. There’s almost no script (seriously, Sarri was kept in the dark about the story), and you feel it. Made me think of those mornings when you miss your pendeltåg, but instead of just being late, you accidentally destroy your whole life. Or maybe not that dramatic, but still. My old gran from Gällivare would’ve said, “Han ser ut som om han har sett trollen.” Quite right, gran.

Ganslandt and the Swedish Anxiety School

Jesper Ganslandt’s style always felt like Roy Andersson on a diet of black coffee and nightmares. No handholding. No explanations. There’s this claustrophobic panic that seeps into your pores. I was sweating like a stuck pig during some scenes, not gonna lie.

Swedish cinema does this thing where shame and guilt just hang over you, like autumn rain. The Ape doesn’t let you off easy. If you want comfort, maybe stay away. But if you want to be shaken, even a little inspired to check yourself in the bathroom mirror at 03:00, then yeah – this one’s a real ride.

And don’t blame me if you finish the film and just wanna crawl under a wool blanket with some surströmming.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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