Evil - 2003

Movie #125

5 stars

Adapted from a best-selling novel, this Swedish drama follows rebellious teenager Erik (Andreas Wilson) as he's expelled from high school for fighting and sent to the prestigious Stjärsnberg Academy. Having endured many beatings from his father, Erik is dismayed to face a similar threat from the academy's senior students, who bully the younger ones mercilessly. But this time, Erik is determined not to crack and lash out in violence.

Cast: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundstrom, Gustaf Skarsgard, Jesper Salen, Marie Richardson, Johan Rabaeus, Kjell Bergqvist, Linda Gyllenberg

Director: Mikael Hafstrom


Tagline: It's time to take a stand.

Filming Location: Stockholm, Sweden

This film is amazing! The viewer first sees Erik as "evil" after he beats up a classmate. The mother is portrayed as a somewhat pitiful character as she simply ignores the beatings that Erik receives from the stepfather. It is evident why Erik is "evil"...he wants to take his pain and suffering and transfer it to other people.

So, why the complete change by Erik? My hypothesis....its the school uniform. Once his mom sells some of her belongings in order to enroll Erik in a boarding school. Erik puts the uniform on and he feels that he can now be someone that is respected.

The viewer sees the good characters as good and the bad characters as reallly bad.

Trivia:

• 120 people turned up for audition of the role of Erik Ponti.
• After the film's final fight scene, Fredrik af Trampe asked a make-up girl take a Polaroid of him in his post-fight make up, which featured blood coming out of his mouth and nostrils. He gave the picture to his mother, who had it framed and still has it on her bedside table.
• The movie is based on a novel by Jan Guillou. Jan Guillou attended a boarding school himself when he was a teenager and the novel is partly based on his own experience

Overall Recommendation: You have gotttt to watch this!!!!!!!!