Departing from his customary political humour, Alfredson immerses the viewer in the atmosphere of a psychological thriller and classic film noir. The film follows John, a successful publishing executive who leaves his wife for Clara, a young poet. Their new life together soon turns into a nightmare when the couple become the target of anonymous threats and mysterious attacks. Borrowed from Shakespeare’s Othello, the title points to the film’s central preoccupations: jealousy, infidelity and the illusion that the sins of the past can simply be left behind. Malin Ek and Sverre Anker Ousdal bring an intense, claustrophobic quality to the central relationship. The film received two Guldbagge Awards: Best Director for Hans Alfredson and Best Actress for Malin Ek.
