The Hypnotist

Swedish director Lasse Hallström's work in Hollywood has comprised comedy, drama and romance with films like Chocolat, The Shipping News and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. So it's a bit of a surprise to find his first Swedish language picture in over 25 years to be a brutal crime thriller. Or maybe not, with the popularity of Nordic noir on TV and movies based on bestsellers by Scandi scribes like Jo Nesbo and Stieg Larsson. A shockingly violent atrocity is the catalyst that prompts a Stockholm cop to call in renowned psychiatrist Erik Bark (Mikael Persbrandt) to unlock the memories of a traumatised survivor. However, the doctor has his own domestic troubles that are exacerbated when the case takes a particularly personal turn. This atypical offering from Hallström isn't on a par with TV shows like The Killing or The Bridge but fans pining for further series of these captivating gloomfests should find it watchable, with its snowbound locations, haunting music and violent twists and turns. Lena Olin (aka Mrs Hallström) also makes an impression as Persbrandt's wife and the climax on a frozen lake is a nerve-jangler.