It's a fair guess that many viewers who come across this short film will do so based on the fact that celebrated Norwegian experimental artists Ulver composed the score. It's worth discussing that aspect from the start, for the music is more prevalent in 'Lyckantropen' than dialogue, and lends a measure of uneasy atmosphere matching the rife tension. With that said, as much as I admire Ulver, I actually would rather the score be less prominent moved nearer the background of the audio mix - but such is life.
The concise, simple narrative is structured around the husband and wife, and as such is almost more than anything else a showcase for stars Felix Engström and Elin Klinga. Both give strong performances in realizing the tempest of emotions their characters go through, and bear able nuance and poise to make the troubled couple very believable. Their portrayals are more important here than the story as a whole, and so is the scene writing: while there is a beginning and an ending to 'Lyckantropen,' and it is satisfying to that point, the small pieces that together comprise the tableau are given greater consideration in the screenplay. Each cements a moment in time in the progressively distressed relationship between the spouses, and the plot, such as it is, is merely a meager connecting thread that weaves them all together, in a near-perfect loop.
Steve Ericsson's direction is as deft as his hand that co-wrote the feature with Mikke Schirén, realizing each scene with a pleasing completeness alongside his stars' performances. Factor in some sharp editing and sequencing, and sound camerawork, and the result is a quiet, uncomplicated short film that's rewarding for the slight tale being related - and a bit refreshing for leaving viewers with a couple questions as it concludes. There are no thrills or suspense, yet we get plentiful intense drama in these 28 minutes, and 'Lyckantropen' is duly engrossing as it develops. This may not be the type of picture that all viewers will necessarily appreciate, but for my part, I'm very glad to have belatedly check it out after having first heard of it long ago. For that matter, I wouldn't mind watching it again - and I suppose that says as much as anything could.
