A new Danish film, "No Rest For The Wicked," is generating considerable interest after its world premiere at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal. The movie combines a 19th-century gay romance with elements of gothic folk horror, telling a story of love, loss, and the supernatural.
Set in 1862 on the remote and rugged Faroe Islands, the plot centers on Baldur (played by model Egor Venned in his acting debut), a young fisherman living a quiet life with his widowed mother. His world is disrupted by the arrival of Helge (Pilou Asbæk, known for his role as Euron Greyjoy in "Game of Thrones"), a handsome Danish whaler seeking lodging. Despite a language barrier, the two men form a deep, passionate connection that they must keep hidden from the conservative and religious local community.
The film takes a dark turn after Helge is presumed lost at sea during a storm. What begins as a historical romance shifts into a gothic horror narrative when Helge returns to the island as an undead creature. He visits Baldur by night, not only to drink blood but to continue their forbidden affair, escalating the tension between Baldur and his village.
A Story with Deep Queer Roots
The film is based on "Manor," an 1884 short story by the German author and activist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs. This adds a layer of historical significance to the project. Ulrichs is considered one of the very first people to publicly campaign for homosexual rights, coining early terms to describe sexuality in the 19th century. In his story, he used the popular vampire myth of the era as a powerful allegory for same-sex love and the societal fear and persecution it attracted. Director and writer Kasper Kalle's adaptation reportedly makes the romantic bond between the men more explicit, bringing Ulrichs' subtext to the forefront.
Festival Acclaim and Future Release
The premiere at the genre-focused Fantasia Festival was met with a standing ovation. Organizers drew comparisons between the film's tone and that of Céline Sciamma’s acclaimed "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," but with the added dimensions of folk horror and vampirism.
"No Rest For The Wicked" is scheduled for a theatrical release in Denmark in early September. A release date for the Netherlands has not yet been set, but the positive festival reception has reportedly attracted interest from international distributors and streaming platforms.
