The set up of the movie is pretty standard: a group of philology students and their professor set out on an expedition to the north-west of Russia to collect ocult traditions and folklore, during which one of them, Marina, runs of after an insident with her ex and stumbles on a witches tomb. Despite the cliches the movie manages to be interesting so far because the students are from the very best russian university (so not as damb as classic Hollywood murder-in-the-woods kind of characters), their professor is a kind and experienced educator (who is empathetic and even funny from time to time), the main character Marina struggles with relationship issues and disallusionment. Moreover, there are glimpses of unsanitised daily life in Russia, as well as, tons of norse mythology (think runes, witches, swords and vikings). These entertaining details do not redeem but definetely smooth over some questionable camera work and director's quirks.
After Marina finds the mummified witch, for the characters everything goes south. For the viewers, however, the fun begins. The movie has plenty of unexpected twists, enough action and mysticism, some moral dilemas and most importantly a sense of humor. At times the whole thing intentionally gets rather ridiculous, but not too overloaded with seriousness, it laughs at itself along with the viewers instead of becoming a gimmick.
Towards the end the movie does become a bit tiresome as the struggle between good and evil drags on and on but it is abruptly resolve by a twist that shutters some annoying stereotypes regularly used in Hollywood movies, which really pleased me.
Overall, the movie definetely has its faults: not all secondary characters are well-played, some scenes are directed painfully awkward, a small budget reflects badly on the fight scenes. But make no mistake, it is worth watching. It's engaging, great at satiating your curiosity about norse witches and provides some food for thought when it comes to some of the choices Marina, the main character makes.I enjoyed it and so will you if you don't start nitpicking.
