Frank (Kjell Bergqvist), his wife Sara (Lena Endre), and their two children relocate from the city to a spacious house in the countryside. On their first night, Frank begins to suspect that something unsettling permeates the house. He experiences mysterious sounds, self-opening doors, and perpetually peeling wallpaper. His family remains oblivious, leading him to seek assistance from the eccentric ghost hunter Allan (Johannes Brost). Together, they endeavor to uncover the secrets concealed within the house, soon realizing the danger exceeds their initial expectations.
1988 was a significant year for Swedish cinema, witnessing the premiere of one of the best Swedish action films, Strul, alongside an exceptional horror film, Besökarna (The Visitors).
Besökarna (The Visitors) is not without its flaws. Certain sequences exhibit a degree of cheesiness, and the second act’s pacing falters. However, the film boasts several genuinely suspenseful scenes that remain effective even by today’s standards. Besökarna (The Visitors) debuted during a period when horror films were a rarity in Sweden, which primarily focused on social realism or farcical comedies.
Director Joakim Ersgård was a mere 26 years old when he directed Besökarna (The Visitors), while his brother Patrik, aged 23, penned the script and played the somewhat irritating postman. The film achieved moderate success, paving the way for them to work on projects across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, Joakim Ersgård has not directed any films since the Swedish-American production Rancid, released in 2004.
The cast features a young Kjell Bergqvist prior to his breakthrough role as Kolberg in Gösta Ekman’s version of Beck, which cemented his status as a household name. Bergqvist effectively portrays the rather unappealing character of Frank; his performance is crucial, as a different actor might not have succeeded in making the character relatable. Lena Endre, as Sara, is initially reserved but gains prominence as the story progresses. It’s worth noting that some of her character’s decisions in a particular sequence seem contrived and driven solely by the script’s requirements.
Johannes Brost appears as a ghost hunter equipped with his own custom-built, potentially hazardous equipment. This segment contains clear allusions to other films that influenced the Ersgård brothers. Brost’s distinctive performance slightly disrupts the film’s pacing upon his introduction, though the narrative recovers and the third act proves highly effective.
Besökarna (The Visitors) was distributed in America as The Visitors, necessitating an English dub due to the original Swedish dialogue. Even the actors’ and director’s names were anglicized, with Joakim Ersgård being credited as Jack Ersgard, among other changes.
This DVD and Blu-ray release of Besökarna (The Visitors) presents the extended version of the film, unseen since its initial premiere. Notably, a sequence featuring Kjell Bergqvist’s character, Frank, engaging in comedic antics while wallpapering has been restored. While shortening this sequence was a judicious decision for the theatrical release, it’s interesting to finally view the film in its original entirety.
The picture quality has been newly restored and is remarkably sharp. Any residual blur is inherent to the original film stock and not attributable to the Blu-ray technology. The audio is presented in DTS 5.1, delivering the best possible sound quality for this film. An older DVD version suffered from a significantly inferior soundtrack, rendering dialogue difficult to discern. A particularly enjoyable feature is the inclusion of the American dub on the disc, a delightful addition.
The highlight of Studio S Entertainment’s edition of Besökarna (The Visitors) is the newly recorded commentary track featuring the Ersgård brothers. They delve into numerous details regarding the film’s production, encompassing both the challenges and successes encountered. The remaining supplemental material is somewhat limited, consisting of clips from SVT, a radio report, and still images. The brothers also provide an introduction to the film, offering further insights, but more behind-the-scenes footage would have been welcome.
In conclusion, while Besökarna (The Visitors) may not be a flawless film, its historical significance, coupled with several genuinely compelling scenes and the outstanding quality of this Blu-ray edition, make it a worthwhile recommendation. Seize the opportunity to experience Besökarna (The Visitors) again in its original form, or discover it for the first time in the best presentation available since its premiere 34 years ago!
Studio S Entertainment provided a review copy of this film. Providing materials does not influence our editorial process. We maintain an independent perspective, focusing on the interests of our readers and consumers.
