Red Dot – An Intense and Upsetting Survival Thriller
Netflix’s Red Dot which is directed by Alain Darborg and Per Dickson follows the story of Nadja (Nanna Blondell) and David (Anastasios Soulis) who are on a ski trip in northern Sweden to rekindle the love in their marriage. Their trip was going well until they bump into two hunters at a gas station as David accidentally crashes into the hunters’ truck and leaves scratches while taking his car out of the parking. After the crash, David decides to drive off without saying anything and that’s when you realize this is going to be the cat and mouse chase.
With everything that follows the incident, the couple ends up being haunted by a killer(s) who are ready to do anything to take revenge for the car crash. As the couple reaches the inn, the receptionist refuses to serve them, hence they had to go into a cabin in the wilds. At the inn, the two hunter brothers vandalize their car due to which Nadija scratches the hunter’s truck with a screwdriver and the brothers catch her doing that.
As the movie progresses, the couple realizes that a red laser dot has been tracking them but they initially assume that it might be a prank only to realize later that it’s a rifle dot and they have been attacked by the hunters because of the car destruction. David and Nadja run for their lives through the snowy backwoods from the hidden force.
Two-thirds of the movie is a straightforward survival/slasher horror where we get to see Darborg’s technical prowess with the help of brilliant cinematography, precise editing, and exceptional acting from the characters. Nanna Blondewell is great as Nadja who’s bitterness is slowly taking over her life. She has her charm that suggests she can effortlessly carry out her role in light, fun movies or series as well as intense and serious movies or series.
However, as you move ahead, you will start questioning everything you’ve watched after going through some hard-hitting revelations in the plot. Red Dot is full of twists and turns and doesn’t withhold them at all. While watching the ‘Red Dot’, you will be surely reminded of thrillers like ‘The Ritual’ or ‘The Grey’ with the same snowy setting.
The main core of this movie can be described as a psychological thriller with the most suspenseful cat and mouse chase which is set on not at all fancy backdrop. Instead, it relies on an isolated wintery land that turns out to be beautiful with the help of strong actors. Although its fun to watch, it is not fun to accept the depressing reality shown in the movie.
This movie is the type that exposes the ugliness and truth of human nature and reveals the depressing reality of the world. If you love happy endings this movie might not be the one for you. This movie is Intense and upsetting. But if you can stomach these things then ‘Red Dot’ may be the perfect choice for you.