Alexander Skarsgård plays a frustrated writer vacationing with his wife (Cleopatra Coleman) at a lush resort in an inhospitable fictional country. After he accidentally hits a local while driving, he’s put thru their form of punishment: A surrogate version of himself is created and executed. From there, things just turn into an exercise in bizarre. Given writer/director Brandon Cronenberg’s penchant for gory fleshy effects, there’s little of that here. It’s more about the character’s deterioration, thanks to a group of decadents led by a rather obnoxious Mia Goth. There are some dark moments, but there’s no tension. Cronenberg possesses some skills at creating unique imagery and ominous overtones, but the silly “dream” sequences seem amateurish and dated. Cronenberg certainly has a unique vision, but he has yet to craft it into a film that’s more than just weird. 
(1.5 / 5)
