[Thor Joachim Haga]

Speaking of horror, I’m currently watching my way through André Øvredal’s films again, as I’m going to do a Q&A with him next week, at the Norwegian pre-premiere of his latest film PASSENGER (featuring a Christopher Young score). TROLLJEGEREN is still pretty fun ‘found footage’ (although some comic elements that feel out-of-place), THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE a fine chamber drama horror (that brought him to the attention of Mr. Stephen King himself), SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK his best work (with beautiful late 60s colours and plenty of King references, produced by Del Toro), MORTAL somewhat of a misfire (despite a great Marcus Paus score), and then it’s THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, which I’m rewatching tonight. Remember that as pretty good too, I love those “isolation horrors”. Curious what he’s done for PASSENGER too, which seems to be another isolation horror.

Allow me a reply to myself. 😀

Just came back from said film, PASSENGER. It’s a fairly middle-of-the-road genre film compared to some of André’s previous works, but definitely some interesting aspects. First, a lot more jump scares than is usual for him. Second, interesting use of camera (inside/outside, who’s watching, is it just a point-of-view or the spirit’s vantage point?). Third, a wonderful, De Palma-esque one-take on a parking lot. Fourth, a Christopher Young score that has a few interesting moments – first and foremost a choral slant that sends associations to BLESS THE CHILD or MURDER IN THE FIRST. But also some heavy, dissonant sturm und drang and some guitar noodlings for the few idyllic moments. Several pop songs, so it has to weave its way around that.

Anyways, should hopefully be plenty to talk about tomorrow, in the Q&A.