Sauna

(2008) ****

The sauna, in Finnish culture is a place where all your sins are washed away. Two soldiers, brothers Eerik and Knut, leave a young girl locked in a basement to die a cruel death. As they travel through the swamps in the no-zone between Finland and Russia one of the brothers, Knut begins to be haunted by her. The guilt is overwhelming him and he wants to go back and let her out but they have traveled too far. They find a village in the middle of the swamp where there is a sauna. Seeking to be absolved of his sins, Knut step into the sauna triggering some really scary shit. This seems to effect the whole village and Eerik must step up and face his sins as well.


Sauna is not a gore film nor one filled with cheap scares or things that jump out at you. This is an intelligent well constructed film that builds tension slowly until it comes to one massive head. The intensity of the characters, the beautiful elegance of the sets and the much appreciated lack of cgi makes this film special. Spectacularly directed by Antti-Jussi Annila this is a film that makes you think.


Although I'm quite sure this is not a movie that would appeal to the masses(the masses are asses), I'm just as sure the intelligent folks of Horrorthon would love it. It's the kind of film you could watch several times and each time pick up on something new that you missed in previous viewings. After the fatigue of Horrorthon wears off I'll be giving this a second look. A wonderful and surprising discovery.