This Lost Folklore Horror Gem Offers a Revolutionary, Unique Take on Bloodsucking Myths

From 1952, Finland's cinematic work White Reindeer is considered one of the exceptional overlooked treasures in the folklore horror style. Despite the fact that it received accolades at Cannes and the Golden Globes during its time, it became overlooked until a breathtaking digital restoration started doing the rounds in the past decade.

Located on the desolate, snow-covered fells of northern Scandinavia, the picture delivers an spooky, completely supernatural grim folktale. This region is sometimes known as Lapland, though the local Sámi people view that name as pejorative.

A Eerie Opening and Change

Via a memorable introduction, it is foretold that a recently born Sámi female child will transform into a enchantress. She matures into the character Piriti (portrayed by the actress Mirjami Kuosmanen), a determined woman who chafes against her isolated reality as the partner of a traveling reindeer herder.

She looks for relief from a nearby shaman, but perhaps due to her innate magic, his romance spell fails and transforms her into a vampiric shapeshifter, doomed to hunt and feed on men in the appearance of a white reindeer.

Artistic Approach and Influences

The actress co-wrote the screenplay with her husband, director and director of photography Blomberg. He blends stunning authentic recordings of Sámi life on this moon-like environment with intense visual flair that evokes silent-movie expressionist filmmakers like F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang.

Recorded in monochrome and mostly on actual settings in the wilderness, The White Reindeer opposes the blinding snowy whiteness with pitch-black Gothic imagery, and moves between them via the liminal half-light of the low Arctic sun.

Ambiguous and Ethereal Plot

While the narrative is uncomplicated and the action are plainly laid out, The White Reindeer remains open to interpretation and dreamlike. It remains uncertain exactly when in history it’s taking place.

The reasoning of the characters' actions can be obscure, and the individuals appear detached, separated in the vast empty space of their surroundings. Moreover that unique category of creature feature that keeps its attention directly and empathetically on the creature as its main perspective.

Kuosmanen channels the silent film legends in a portrayal filled with sexual frustration and a powerful hunger she struggles to grasp.

Memorable Influence

Despite its short hour-plus runtime, White Reindeer can appear leisurely, thanks to its minimalist narrative approach. But the lead actress's compelling performance, Blomberg’s remarkable visuals, and the film's haunting metaphor for the way a repressive culture can vilify women's longing will stay in your thoughts for a considerable time.