10 Swedish Horror Movies You Must See Before You Die
4. Wither (2012)
Intentional or not, Wither is essentially an adaption of Sam Raimi's groundbreaking sophomore film, The Evil Dead. Although it lacks the intense scares and creative finesse of that 1981 classic (or Fede Álvarez’s remarkable 2013 remake, to be honest), that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.
On the contrary, this debut by directing duo Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund effectively puts a distinctive stamp on the clichéd set-up of young adult friends unknowingly summoning evil while partying at their cabin in the woods.
Originally named after its main villain of Swedish folklore – the underground nature spirit Vittra – Wither undeniably centres on archetypical characters and predictable narrative beats. Structurally, there’s little here that genre aficionados haven’t seen before.
So, why does it stand out so much? Well, it’s a textbook example of how stellar execution can elevate an otherwise tired concept. Simply put, its comparatively resilient acting, strong pacing, crafty cinematography, and impactful makeup and violence make it a significantly commendable and fun, if knowingly derivative, treat.
It won’t out-and-out swallow your soul, but it will at least chew on it for a bit.