The story of Thomas Quick fascinated me from around 2014 when I watched the documentary by Hannes Råstam for the first time. I read his book, and the book from Dan Josefsson as well as Josefsson's follow up documentary.
I read the book by Quick's brother, as well as other works, becoming fascinated with the story.
A large reason for this was the mechanism of "repressed memories". Having grown up in the 90s watching the X Files and psychological thrillers this was hard fact. As late as 2010 we got the movie Shutter Island which also revolves around repressed memories, the notion that the mind "locks away" horrifying events that can be recalled back by skilled psychologists.
Thomas Quick ended up in the hands of those who believed they were skilled.
My world view of repressed memories was totally shattered by Hannes Råstam and I don't believe in it today at all. My expectations going into the movie were therefore astronomical.
Fortunately they pull off this investigative story from the perspective of Hannes Råstam exceptionally well. Jonas Karlsson is excellent as Hannes, Alba August puts Jenny Küttim in the spot light she deserves (she was absent from the documentary) and David Dencik is an excellent Thomas Quick. Dencik was also personally fascinated by the case and had previously read many books about it which shows with the attention to detail.
Everything from setting, clothes, hair, photographs and video tapes are recreated in an authentic way, and also a very captivating way. It's easy to watch the 2 hours in one sitting, feeling the weight of "what the hell am I doing" from Hannes, and the feeling of being trapped by Thomas Quick. The feeling of "what the hell happened" by the ones involved with a consciousness.
This is one of the best true stories put to Swedish film, and there are a few scenes which stand out as heart warming, and deeply emotional.
I love this movie.
