Department Q: The Absent One (2014) User Reviews

Good but very, very graphic...so think twice about watching this one.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 22 January 2015]

Horror Hunters is a Danish film directed by Mikkel Nørgaard. In its native land, this film recently became the highest grossing domestic film in history. Now it's coming to DVD internationally and you'll have a chance to see it as well.

The film is an extremely graphic and unflinching crime film--one that you should be warned about before you decide to see it or not. While it's extremely well made, there are also some very graphic murders, tons of blood, rape and other bits of nastiness that make this a poor choice if you want to watch a film with the kids or your mother. Think twice before you'd consider doing this...no, think three times!

The film is a bit reminiscent of the American television shows "Cold Case" or "Cold Case Files" in that the story involves a police unit which investigates unsolved crimes. However, the case is unusual because someone has already been convicted of the crime. It seems that a police captain KNOWS there's much more to the case but has been unable to go further with the case. How he passes it on to the team is something...really, really something.

This case turns out to be 20 years old. And, through the course of the film, it turns out that the case has a lot of similarities to other cases committed since--horrible, senseless and violent crimes committed for kicks. The key to solving this is a woman named Kimmee who disappeared long, long ago as well as her involvement with a pair of rich and malevolent prep school teens. But, solving any of these crimes will be very difficult, as the perpetrators are powerful and well connected. It's made even more difficult because one of the investigators is an emotional mess himself and you really aren't sure if he'll solve the crime or end up getting himself killed due to his recklessness and unwillingness to back down when he's pressured to do so by his superiors.

As I first mentioned, the film is very graphic--much more so than I usually would watch. On the other hand, the plot is very intelligently written and the story is one that sucks you in and won't let you go until the guilty are brought to justice. For crimes of cop stories that don't mind a film that is very edgy and dark, this one is well worth seeing.

Decent crime tale, less mystery than its predecessor but much more darker, obscene and gruesome than the first.

[Fella_shibby · 8/10 · 30 March 2017]

Saw this recently on a rented DVD. This is the follow up to the Keeper of lost causes. In this film, both Nikolaj n Fares need to solve another case because some time has passed since the success of their first case and their reputation is going down. A bereaved ex-cop appeals to Nicolaj to solve the murder of his two children. The ex cop kills himself after being refused. Feeling guilty, our two cops begin looking into the case, with all leads initially pointing towards an elite boarding school. Their search for the truth takes them in some unexpected places n a bandaged nose. Nicolaj after being attacked, gets a bandaged nose, a nod to Jack Nicholson's character from Chinatown. The plot may not be new or there may not be enuff mystery but the movie was captivating to hold your interest till the end. It's much more darker, obscene and gruesome than its predecessor. Its more of a crime tale n less of a mystery. Found it to be a lil disappointing because its not in the same league as its predecessor specially when it comes to suspense n tension. This film has lots flashbacks like the first one. Nonetheless it got saved by strong performances by all. Fares gave a very good performance n Nikolaj too gave a nice performance. A decent police procedural crime tale.

Great Franchise

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 30 December 2018]

Police Detective Carl Mørck (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) stumbles upon an old man nearby the Police Department Building and he asks if Carl had checked the documentation he sent to him. Carl does not give much attention to the man and two hours later the man is found dead after committing suicide in his bathtub. Carl convinces his partner Assad Pilou (Fares Fares) to reopen an old case where the twins of the old man had been murdered and soon Carl and Assad are involved in a network of old crimes where the powerful executives and millionaires Ditlev Pram (Pilou Asbæk) and his friend Ulrik Dybbøl (David Dencik) seem to be responsible for. Now they are chasing Ditlev´s former girlfriend Kimmie (Danica Curcic), who might be the key witness of the cases. But the criminals are hunting her down.

"Fasandræberne", a.k.a. "Department Q: The Absent One". Is another great franchise with a new case of Police Detectives Carl Mørck and Assad Pilou. The structure of the bleak story is similar to the first film with the use of flashbacks. The performances are top-notch again and the screenplay does not use the clichés of a crime film. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Departamento Q: O Ausente" ("Department Q: The Absent One")

Note: On 17 July 2021, I saw this film again.

Danish Noir

[GManfred · 20 June 2016]

Good murder mystery noir from Denmark showing at NYC's IFC Center for just one week, and a picture that deserves more exposure than that. It is a tense detective story of a 'cold case', a double murder 20 years old taken up by Danish Detectives Morck and Assad. I am a great fan of top shelf detective films, and film noir in particular, and this one is surprisingly well done.

Nutshell; a brother and sister were murdered 20 years previous and the crimes were unsolved. Their father, a retired cop, approaches Morck and pleads with him to renew the case. Morck dusts him off, saying he is too busy. The father then turns up as a suicide, which leads Morck to regret his cavalier treatment of the father and decides to investigate. His subsequent investigation takes a sordid turn and becomes darker as the story unfolds.

There are three movies in the Det. Morck series, and I wish I could have stayed for all three. It is remarkably well done and bears all the hallmarks of Hollywood noir films. Morck is a no-nonsense detective who smokes and is hard-drinking and with a clear-headed assistant who tries to be a counter balance. Morck is moody and obsessive and will break the rules in the name of truth and justice, and the chemistry between the two is a tribute to their acting and to the screenplay. The movie scene needs more of this type of grown up fare as many of us have tired of the usual sequel to a dull film and of animated cartoon movies for 6 year olds. While Indies like this are produced perhaps there is still hope for a foundering art form.

A serious man cleraring cases

[toredah-1 · 6/10 · 13 December 2019]

Don't get me wrong, I quite like this series, but I have to mention this: Claus Mørck is an idiot. He does risky and frankly stupid stuff, which results in him being hit in the head, repeatedly. He is also a humourless, gloomy tosser, and the series could benefit from him lighting up a bit. Yes, they deal with deadly serious matter, but you can't go on like that, you'll be a nervous wreck in months. But after having seen the first three installments, I'm sure I'd like to watch the next ones, too.

Solid thriller, but nothing more

[rubenm · 6/10 · 21 June 2015]

Last week, a populist, right-wing anti-immigration party won the general elections in Denmark. There's a small hint of the increasing Danish aversion against immigrants in 'The Absent One': when a pr-executive is beaten up by two businessmen, the newspapers' headlines state that he is beaten up by immigrants.

I would have liked more of this in the film. As it is now, 'The Absent One' is a standard crime thriller. There are hardly any connections to the broader society: the script focuses on the crime and nothing else.

At the same time, the excellent script is really the backbone of the movie. It's intelligent, and slowly moves forward with just enough revelations to keep the suspense intact, without the complications or twists that make many crime scripts hard to follow. Also nice are the regular flashbacks to the period of the crime, which is now a cold case, getting renewed attention because of the suicide of a retired policeman.

The problem is that the film doesn't have anything that makes it stand out. It's a good, solid thriller, but nothing more than that. It even inclines to overdoing things, which is a shame in a film like this. The ending, with the policemen miraculously saved from a seemingly hopeless situation, is a cliché. The same goes for the state of mind of the lead character: a workaholic policeman, who has too little attention for his son and has no problem bending the rules in order to get the villains.

Great follow up to The Keeper of Lost Causes keeping the momentum up for a great crime drama franchise,

[subxerogravity · 7/10 · 24 June 2016]

So when I saw the Keeper of Lost Causes, I was very impressed by what a griping Crime Drama it was and when I discovered it was the first in a trilogy, I had to see the others.

The Absent One is the second in the trilogy. Some time after Carl and his partner, Assad made Department Q a name for their first case, they quickly became a joke again due to Carl's focus on solving the cold cases rather than just organizing the place met they have not closed another cold case since. Then a retired sheriff begs Carl to look into the cold case involving the murder of his two children which someone took the blame for. This lead Carl to uncover the dangerous vices of the privilege of high society.

It's as gritty as the first movie, with a case that has slightly more depth and angles to it. This allows us to see the warm heart of Carl without melting the ice, as he gives his all to make right what once went wrong. The detective himself becomes more well rounded with just enough peaks into his personal life (a bonding relationship he has with his ex-wife's son, who he obviously sees as his flesh and blood), to make him human. The movie also introduces a new team member, Rose, the last of a long list of secretaries who don't work well with Carl, but luckily Assad likes her.

This is becoming a fabulous police drama franchise and I can't wait to complete the trilogy.

Superb

[s3276169 · 10/10 · 18 February 2015]

This is the second film installment that I am aware of in this detective drama, following on from "The Keeper of Lost Causes".

At first glance the translated title, "Killer of Pheasants", seems somewhat misleading. In fact, its well chosen. Pheasants demonstrate sexual dimorphism. That is the males are brightly coloured, whilst the females are plain. The wealthy male sexual predators at the heart of this tale, like male pheasants, appear to have everything. They lead bright, shining, seemingly flawless lives. By contrast, their female collaborator turned victim, suffers a bleak life of dispossession, but as we see she is, ultimately, a better human being.

Indeed, this story is, arguably, as much about dispossession, as it is a crime story. It speaks to the destructive power of inequality and how money not only does not remedy human flaws but can, in fact, amplify them.

Of course, its also a good crime thriller, with many subtle and often oblique, plot shifts. It takes time for all the intricate pieces of the crime puzzle to come together but when they do, its a very satisfying experience.

The acting is outstanding. Nikolaj Lie Kaas skillfully reprises his role as Carl Morck. A socially awkward, self destructive but nonetheless brilliant, driven detective. Fares Fares returns as his long suffering but understanding partner, Assad. The comfortable chemistry between these two lead actors makes this film easy viewing.

The other cast members, including the key villains of the piece, are well chosen and able actors who fit snugly into their respective roles.

For some people, possibly the only shortcoming, may be the sexual violence inherent in the film. If you are of a sensitive disposition you may want to give this film a pass. That said, if you are not perturbed by the violence or the subtitles, this film is a must see. Ten out of ten from me.

Second in the Scandi-noir trilogy

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 20 April 2017]

THE ABSENT ONE is the second in the trilogy of DEPARTMENT Q films, Danish crime dramas based on novels. This Scandi-noir offering has all you'd expect from this particular genre: dark visuals, a gritty plot, a sinister back story that impinges on the present day, and some scruffy, downbeat detectives who refuse to give up the case no matter what.

This film features an extensive back story involving a group of public school teenagers who get up to some dark deeds in the 1990s. It's hard-hitting and explicit stuff indeed, and the present-day storyline is just as intensive. These DEPARTMENT Q films benefit from strong production values, solid writing, good acting, and a general air of quality that makes them ones to watch for fans of the genre.

Nothing So Simple As "Evil"

[seriouscritic-42569 · 9/10 · 5 May 2018]

Everything I said in my review of the first film in the series (Keeper of the Lost Causes) applies to this, the second installment. Gritty, dark and disturbing. It is textured and believable with an intense verisimilitude as to not only the environment and behavior of the police but throughout the social strata where the other characters dwell. And, as in the earlier film, this one is as commendable for the attention to fleshing out the damaged creatures committing unspeakable acts as it is to developing the mechanics of the plot, the social themes underlying the series, and the growth (or collapse) of the lead players. And I cannot sing the praises high enough for a thriller, so realistic, that a main character gets struck in the head with a pipe, and rather that soldiering on like a superhero he falls, and then later collapses with a concussion. This series is about human beings; the weak and the strong, the good and the bad, and such simplistic terms like Hero and Evil Villain are neither welcomed nor adhered to.

Disturbing & good

[Bantam · 7/10 · 18 April 2015]

If you've seen the previous movie in the series and are looking for something similarly disturbing, yet good, watch this one.

Having said that, let's get a bit more into the details. The main plot revolves around a cold case, similar to the first movie. This case lies back some 20 years, where a gang of youths from an elite boarding school are involved in some rather cruel and sadistic 'activities'. And that is basically where the movie begins.

Carl and Assad are drawn into the case via the suicide of a retired small-town police chief, who tried to solve the case, but apparently got so obsessed with it, that in the end it did cost his sanity, and life.

The casting was, IMO, good as well as is the acting. Like in the first installment. The story is not as entirely gripping as in the first one, maybe because there is little less suspense. The 'cat is out of the bag' rather early in the movie, but that does not diminish the plot. Setting and locations are okay, too.

For the most part the plot revolves around redemption, the (dark) depths of the human psyche and a bit of revenge. And even though the plot is predictable, it still is dark and gloomy. The whole movie sits rather uneasy with me, mostly because of the entire disturbing scenes and hints. While it's graphic, for an Euroflick it's still rather tame. The movie draws mostly from that fact that we, as an audience, love to hate the cruel bad guys, especially when the seem so sleek and 'normal' on the outside. And of course we love to see them get what they had coming.

However, it also has some shortcomings. Carl, as a character, stagnates in his development as a cop, as a father and as a personality. Also, there are some cliché moments, especially the take on the elite's kids in boarding schools going all haywire and being cruel snobs, you know, reasons. Also, the connections between the main antagonist and the chief of police (Carl's and his direct superior's boss) strikes me as not realistic. If you have such connections, things are swept under the carpet. I do not think that Denmark is different and that the cops there are THAT virtuous and righteous. But then again, maybe I've just seen too much news lately about how the police works these days, which stands in stark contrast to how they are supposed to work.

Apart from those bits the movie is rather good and it definitely left me waiting for the upcoming third installment. All in all another good Scandinavian flick.

A run of the mill story made original by its visuals

[Garcwrites · 8/10 · 21 May 2015]

Straight off the bat, one of thing that I love about this film, is that it's as much of a stand alone movie as the sequel to The Keeper of Lost Causes / Mercy. The two films are connected but they're about two completely separate cases on which only the investigating team remains. It's kind of like what a TV-Show like Sherlock, for example, if Sherlock was a graphic dark thriller.

Much like the first one, Detective Mørck & Assad are the heart of the movie. It's an odd pairing but they're somehow captivating, they keep you focused in the movie despite the less than original plot on this one. You probably already figured out what it's all about by reading the premise but the story works and It has to do with the investigating team. You get attached to them - more so if you've seen the first film - and you want to see this case through.

The sequel to The Keeper of Lost Causes / Mercy is a good film, with a predictable story, but it's intriguing, attention-grabbing, and so uninhibited that this classical, run of the mill, thriller feels very fresh. @wornoutspines

The second episode: A new case in the hands.

[Reno-Rangan · 7/10 · 24 October 2015]

A follow up to 'The Keeper of Lost Causes' based on the Danish crime-thriller novel of the same name in the original language. That one was a classy, a brilliant initiation in the 'Department Q' series. One of the best Scandinavian detective movie I have ever seen. I expected same energetic, caliber and suspenseful in this as well. But marginally disappointing, yet it stood and delivered to the previous film's standard.

In this second episode, it was a murder mystery for Carl and Assad to crack it down. They did not choose it, the case did. It was a long pending affair in the department, since then the world has changed a lot. But the father of twins murdered who investigated privately leaves all the required evidence to the Department Q team. Now, where these two deeply dedicated detectives begin, how they dig it and whether they reach the other end of the investigation to uncover everything is the rest of the film.

With a new target in the hands, the Department Q world expands further bigger than the first film. Takes us to the two decades earlier and narrates some of the key events by introducing new characters. So it also creates curiosity about the happenings around and sufficient suspense where it all went wrong. The prediction was not that hard, but without a clear picture of what happened, I simply failed to make a guess as I do always. The story holds everything back, that's a weak point, but very gripping with those thrilling going after scenes.

"I never met anyone as destructive as him."

Too much of flashbacks might be the reason for movie to lose the original appeal. It reduced Carl and Assad's screen-space. It was good for this particular plot to develop the story and characters, but did not help what Department Q theme is known for. That was not at all, certainly it was a good story, I'm not arguing with that, but the presentation was not charming enough and the dearth of fine action sequences was a little setback which was absolutely necessary in the cop themed films.

The movie was shot very well with maintaining the same tone from the first, along great performances by everyone. The difference between Carl and Assad remained, we should say it was maintained as it should be. In any two buddy cop movies, they are always antipodal characteristic. It was like a cliché, but brings the better outcome. These two guys together form a best homicide team in Copenhagen police department. Now the third character introduced in this part, a secretary who loosely hangs around, but out of the league from the perspective of story narration.

Very much a Danish's answer to the Swedish's 'Dragon Tattoo' films. But in a way the two are not a comparable, if you do, then this one lacks in a long way. Because of the type of cop works are different with completely different universe and environment. After the first two films the director has changed for the third film, which is set to hit the screen in 2016. Hoping for 'A Conspiracy of Faith' to do much better than this one, because many more to follow if that succeeds.

7½/10

The acting is OK...

[jon-bl · 1/10 · 23 December 2016]

The actors do a decent job, but Kimmie bothers me a lot! Kimmie do some extreme work to make the plot connect.

She KO's Carl with a piece of pipe. thou Carl is aware of the pipe and he is a trained police officer. All right, he is kind of weird, maybe its just a flaw in his character.

She KO's the private investigator and escapes him the first time in the train cart. She then overpowers him in his own apartment, even thou he's holding a gun to her head. He is an ex-soldier with multiple combat experiences, but he can't pull the trigger? He cant even hold on to the gun. Come on...

Kimmie is then put in jail, but she knocks out a big, male police officer and flees the jail. How Rambo does she have to be, to make her relevant?

She is a skinny drug addict and shouldn't be able to do any of this. Besides Kimmie, the plot was rather predictable :(

Despite its flaws it is worth seeing

[guidomaschio · 6/10 · 26 August 2017]

I give the movie 6 stars. Why only 6? Well, if it were not for some absurdities that requires far more than the suspension of disbelief I would have voted 8. The movie is gripping, the acting is good, the photography is dark and suggestive, the characters are troubled and interesting and the story is touching.

The detective pair, Carl the troubled one and Assad the more positive thinker, reminds me of other famous nordic investigative couples I saw in "Forbridelsen" (Sarah Lundt and her changing buddies) and in "Bron-Broen" (Saga and Martin). The chemistry between them is good and they are likable, even Carl with his nihilism.

I did not read the novel and I don't know if the screenwriter and the director were faithful or not to the written story, but in the movie there are points where I thought "Oh my ... how can it be possible?"

SPOILER: How can Kimmie, a mentally troubled homeless woman that has been living in a dirty cart for years, transform herself in few hours into a club vamp dressed in fashion, with a perfect makeup and a blond wig, with no sign of her chronic psychotic behavior? This is beyond credibility, even considering scenic fiction.

How can Kimmie overpower armed, strong and combat trained men fronting her? This happens four times: when ambushed in the cart, in her friend's house when she escapes Carl, in the detective apartment after the disco and last in the jail. Talk me about SuperHomelessWoman. Even this is beyond the credibility of scenic fiction.

I do not understand why they did not try to make the whole thing more realistic or at last more believable.

The story unfolds between past and present and I found some of the flashback scenes slightly disturbing as they show physical and psychological cruelties.

This is a sad story without a real happy ending, but worth seeing despite its flaws.

I loved it. Except for one thing. As soon as I saw this, I was like oh no, not the deviant white schoolboy syndrome...

[mshavzin · 7/10 · 29 March 2022]

If one were to trust the entertainment industry, you would think a wealthy prep school was like 100 times more dangerous then being downtown Chicago at a BLM riot. Let me tell you; You are a lot safer at a prep school. I have actually spent enough time at both extremes, and I can tell you which extreme is more crazy and dangerous. I wouldn't worry about kids with nice blazers and great complexions. I would worry about the ones whose pants sag down to their knees.....yes it makes it harder for them to chase you, but they will manage.

Dares to be dark

[blumdeluxe · 7/10 · 2 June 2019]

"Fasandraeberne" tells the story of a group of upper class students that seek a thrill by being brutal and humiliating others until unforeseen events change their lives forever.

In comparison to many other tv crimes, this production dares to be both dark and explicit. It isn't a splatter film, it only uses harder graphical material when it benefits the story and adds to the intensity of the film. The case itself is interestingly presented, some might say a bit over the top, some might find some typical tv crime elements but overall I'd say that it keeps a solid balance and keeps you both entertained and able to buy in on the plausibility of what happens.

All in all this is really a thriller and not just another tv production that barely makes your heart beat faster. It doesn't change the game but it understands well to play by its rules and deliver what the audience asks for.

The past can haunt you

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 16 September 2015]

Seeking redemption or solace or anything remotely plain and silent after having done something horrible, is not easy. It even gets worse when the police digs up that past. Which is what happens here and our two main protagonists from the first novel (and especially the movie) are back on duty again.

I haven't read the novels, but I did watch the first movie, which I can highly recommend. This isn't a bad affair either, but I can see people being a bit disappointed after that massive first movie. Still this is not only decent, but a very good crime movie, with twists flying your way every now and then. New leads, chases and guessing who did what and what could happen next. If you let yourself enjoy that ride, you'll be having a good movie experience - just not at the exact same level as the first one delivered

A solid sequel.

[WillInDenmark · 6/10 · 12 May 2023]

Fasandræberne, the second entry in the Afdeling Q series, is a solid krimi that keeps up with the quality of the first film. The addition of Pilou Asbæk raises the tone, and his chemistry with Nikolaj Lie Kaas makes for a great on-screen duo. Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard and written by Nikolaj Arcel and Rasmus Heisterberg, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Fares Fares, David Dencik, and Danica Curcic, among others.

However, despite its strengths, Fasandræberne is not without its flaws. At times, the film feels like it's dragging, and the pacing could have been tighter. Additionally, the attempt to portray a girl who willingly participates in both murders and rapes as the "victim" can be a little uncharming.

Overall, I would give Fasandræberne a 6 out of 10 stars. While it may not be perfect, it is still worth the watch, especially for fans of the genre and the series.

Another solid Danish crime thriller, elevated by fine performances

[BeneCumb · 8/10 · 7 April 2016]

For a decade a so, the term "Scandinavian crime" has been a sign of quality in the film world, and I have tried to watch them as much as possible - luckily it is no Bollywood... The film in question is the second one in line (after Kvinden i buret) where the detective duet Carl Mørck and Assad have to solve a felony happening over 20 years back, enabling to take a glance at the world of "Danish rich and spoiled". The tension is nicely there (although somewhat less than in the first film), and, in addition to as-usual fine performances by Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Fares Fares as the leading characters, one can follow the talents of Pilou Asbæk and David Dencik who are also versatile character actors (plus Søren Pilmark in a small role).

So, unless you are fond of constant chases, explosions, shootings, etc., this film (with captious title) is a pleasant example of a crime thriller with mystery elements, where human attitudes and relations play the biggest part, and deducing is the main factor in solving crimes.

Complex crime investigation movie..!!

[kamalbeeee · 7/10 · 30 June 2020]

This movie is second part of department Q sequel movie...story plot is better than first part and little complex soo little challenge to understand the whole plot story...four rich guys do killing and raping but they didnt bring justice but after 20 years 2 detectives tries to bring them to justice and finally they made too...worth watching second time too...

excellent

[radtooluk · 10/10 · 7 May 2017]

Excellent acting through out, once you have seen the three in this series you will be crying out for more.You are on the edge of your chair willing the team to try this approach that approach. When you think they have them up pops another problem. Sad ending for the girl but one hopes this trio go on to make more of this entertaining shows

Not as good as I expected it to be

[Just-A-Girl-14 · 6/10 · 8 December 2021]

I've heard some good things about this movie and after checking the reviews here on IMDb (which are mostly positive) I decided to watch it. Maybe my expectations were too high but I have to say I was disappointed.

It has an interesting storyline. I like watching crime stories and I find cold cases to be especially interesting. Solving cold cases is usually tricky because on one hand the more time passes it is harder to solve them, but on the other hand there are advances in science and technology that can give the detectives tools that were previously unavailable.

The story is dark and at time is shown in a very graphic way, the acting is mostly ok but I felt that some scenes were forced and overly dramatic for no good reason. The main lead was too erratic and unlikable. Most of the time his behavior didn't make sense. It's possible that there was explanation to his behavior in the first movie (and surely in the novel) but I never watched or read it so I don't know. I think it should have been explained. His partner and the secretary were talking about his self destructive behavior but there was no explanation for it for the viewers. Why was he drinking so much? Why was he working alone and pushing people away? Why would he break the law in order to get evidence (which btw would not be admissible in court anyway)?

I was disappointed there was no new information or use of new technology, it seems there is no reason why it wasn't solved right in the first place. Especially considering that the murdered victims father was himself a detective.

Psychologically speaking there was no explanation as to why these four teenagers committed the crimes in the first place. It seems unlikely that they all just happened to be sadistic killers. Kimmie's behavior made even less sense. She seemed perfectly happy to participate in the crimes but when they murdered the brother and sister she suddenly grew a conscious. Why? Rape is ok, beating people is ok, falsely accusing her teacher of rape is ok but what? Murder is too much? Suddenly she is appalled and have to run and call the cops? There was no background story to any of the characters that could explain their behavior. All we know about them is that they come from rich families and they go to boarding school.

I also noticed that there was not enough attention to details. For example the two rich guys were wondering if Kimmie was still alive 20 years later but later on in the movie it is shown that she was sending hate mail to her former boyfriend for years so obviously he should have known she's alive. Why didn't her step mother called the cops when she disappeared? How could she possibly think she just took off when it was shown she was beaten, raped and then jumped out the window breaking it to pieces. How could the stepmother missed all the blood and damage in her room? Also, how did she find the ex military guy who tried to kill her and how did she get out of jail and found the two kidnapped detectives? Beating up one cop is not an explanation.

I also felt that there was no one to root for. The detectives weren't likable enough to root for, the father of the murdered kids killed himself in the beginning of the movie and the victims themselves were barely even shown so as a viewer I didn't have the chance to care for them.

All in all it was just an average movie. Nothing as special as I thought it would be. It seems this movie was meant to be dark and shock the viewers but personally I'm not a huge fan of shock for the sake of shock. The main character was too dramatic to the point it was annoying to watch. I seriously do not understand why he was so concerned about Kimmie. Shouldn't he care more about justice for the victims? Yes, she was on the run for years apparently but she was not an innocent victim or a witness. She willing participants in awful crimes (for example it was mentioned that she was laughing while the girl in the woods was being raped).

I think the story had potential but in the end it didn't live up to it. If you have absolutely nothing to do you can watch it but otherwise I'd skip it.

watchable at best

[janzjaniny · 5/10 · 24 January 2017]

if you expect another take at a "Girl with a dragon tattoo" kind of movie, you'll be tremendously disappointed. the mystery and mood are gone, you know the ending right after it begins, and the only question that hangs throughout entire film is whether you should keep on watching it.

it's such a cheap rip off I'm amazed Danish folks rushed to the cinemas as they reportedly did. there's nothing really good about this one, acting's very average, main characters aren't very likable and are not developed well, the whole 'who killed them' mystery is solved instantly after showing the main villain - and you'll know it's him because.. well unless it's your first movie ever, you just will.

it's a very, very average movie at best.

College Evil

[jeroduptown · 7/10 · 21 August 2021]

What's nice about the Q series is the "whodunnit" aspect is elusive and complicated, but well told. A prep school girl is manipulated in the death of some twins that would ruin some prep boys' futures.