“Handling the Undead” (2024) is a Norwegian horror mystery directed by Thea Hvistendahl. Based on John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel and co-written by Hvistendahl and Lindqvist, the film delves into themes of grief and human connection with a unique twist.
Imagine a blistering summer day in Oslo where, instead of finding solace in the warmth, three families find themselves grappling with the impossible: their deceased loved ones have returned. This eerie twist on the supernatural is the heart of “Handling the Undead,” a film that plunges into an emotional journey full of grief, loss, and hope.
Synopsis
On a sweltering summer day in Oslo, the dead inexplicably awaken, throwing three families into disarray when their deceased loved ones return to them. Who are they, and what do they want? A family is confronted with the mother’s reawakening before they have even mourned her death after a car accident; an elderly woman reclaims the love of her life on the same day she buried her; and a grandfather rescues his grandchild from the gravesite in a desperate attempt to help his daughter recover from her depression.
Review
The film is a revelation, delivering more than just scares and thrills. Thea Hvistendahl, who directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Lindqvist, employs the zombie cliché not to entertain, but to elicit profound emotional reflection. Forget the typical horror fare; here, the undead serves as a basis for exploring the nuances of human grief.
The brilliance of “Handling the Undead” is in its subtlety. There are no big special effects or thrilling moments. Instead, the film allows you to sit with its characters as they deal with pain and perplexity. Renate Reinsve, Bjørn Sundquist, and Bente Børsum deliver harsh yet restrained performances that capture the core of their characters’ inner struggles.
The film’s subdued style may appear slow to some, yet it is precisely this pacing that enables audiences to relate on a deeper level. The true horror here is not the undead’s appearance, but the terrible emotional upheaval that their return causes.
“Handling the Undead” won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Original Music at Sundance, a nod to its ability to blend its haunting score with its emotional narrative seamlessly. It’s a film that stays with you, not because of its scares, but because of its poignant examination of how we deal with the inevitable and often unbearable pain of loss.
Curious to see how the dead can evoke such a profound sense of the living? Check out the trailer below.
Credits
Title: “Handling the Undead” (Håndtering av udøde)
Director: Thea Hvistendahl
Cast: Renate Reinsve, Bjørn Sundquist, Bente Børsum, Anders Danielsen Lie, Bahar Pars, Inesa Dauksta
Country: Sweden, Norway, Greece
Language: Norwegian with English Subtitles
Running Time: 99 minutes
Distributor: Neon
Release: 20th January 2024 (Sundance); 9th February 2024
“Handling the Undead” is a film that transcends genre conventions, providing a hauntingly beautiful reflection on grief and human relationships.
Where to watch "Handling the Undead"
