During the bright Nordic summer, a group of children reveal mysterious powers when the adults aren’t looking. But what starts out innocent soon takes a dark and violent turn in this gripping supernatural thriller. A film by Eskil Vogt, starring Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Sam Ashraf, and Mina Yasmin Bremseth.

A supernatural horror film written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Eskil Vogt, who is known for his previous collaborations with Joachim Trier, including VERDENS VERSTE MENNESKE (The WORST PERSON in the WORLD), which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 94th Academy Awards.

Ida (Rakel Lenora Fløttum) and her older sister Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad) have recently moved into an apartment complex with their parents after their father secured a new job.

Anna suffers from nonverbal autism, which occasionally irritates Ida because Anna cannot help herself. When their parents are not looking, Ida pinches Anna hard, but Anna never reacts or shows pain, which only makes Ida more annoyed with her sister. In an attempt to escalate her pranks, Ida places shards of glass in Anna’s shoes.

As Ida strolls outside the building alone, she befriends Ben (Sam Ashraf), a neighboring boy of her age who has psychic abilities that allow him to move small objects without touching them. Intrigued by his supernatural power, Ida watches Ben demonstrate his gift.

Aisha (Mina Yasmin Bremseth), another girl who resides nearby, also possesses the supernatural ability to read minds and intercept other people’s emotions like an antenna. She is drawn to Anna’s pain, which she senses acutely. Aisha is the only one who can communicate with Anna.

The four children quickly bond over their shared supernatural abilities. They revel in experimenting with their supernatural powers, eager to discover the limits of their abilities. However, Ida begins to discern a menacing undercurrent in Ben’s behavior, finding his actions increasingly unsettling. Meanwhile, Anna’s telekinetic potential manifests, while Ben’s power grows exponentially.

DE USKYLDIGE captivates audiences with its suspenseful storytelling, keeping them guessing what will happen next without resorting to excessive special effects. The film is considerably one of the most memorable psychothriller films of recent years.

All of the child actors in this film deliver exceptional performances, appearing natural and convincingly believable even in scenes without dialogue, using only their facial expressions and eyes, especially Rakel Lenora Fløttum in the role of Ida.

DE USKYLDIGE, or The Innocents in English, brilliantly explores the possibilities of childhood, leaving it open for the viewer to interpret. What defines good and evil? What factors in children’s lives lead them down dark and immoral paths? Why do children lie to their parents? Is it because they are afraid or because they simply don’t believe that adults will believe them?

DE USKYLDIGE premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Festival de Cannes on 11 July 2021, and at Den Norske Filmfestivalen on 22 August, before its theatrical release in Norway on 3 September. The film had its limited theatrical release in the Unite States on 13 May 2022, by IFC Midnight.