The Innocents

The Innocents

Four children become friends during the summer holidays, and out of sight of the adults they discover they have hidden powers. While exploring their newfound abilities in the nearby forests and playgrounds, their innocent play takes a dark turn and strange things begin to happen.

  • Released: 2021-09-03
  • Runtime: 117 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, Horror, Thrillers
  • Stars: Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Sam Ashraf, Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Morten Svartveit, Kadra Yusuf, Lisa Tønne, Nor Erik Vaagland Torgersen, Irina Eidsvold Tøien, Marius Kolbenstvedt, Kim Atle Hansen, Birgit Nordby
  • Director: Eskil Vogt
 Comments
  • paulclaassen - 23 April 2024
    Not so innocent.
    9-Year old Ida seems to have a nasty streak for wanting to hurt people. Although it appears to be innocent fun for a kid, we sense something almost sinister about her. Anna, her older sister, has autism and doesn't speak. She only makes sounds, and also can't feel pain.

    Ida befriends Ben, who soon shows her that he is able to move small object via telekinesis. Ben appears to have cruel intentions, with seemingly no conscience. They befriend Aisha, who is able to communicate via telepathy. Ida decides to introduce them to Anna, and together the four kids slowly discover their powers. It turns out Anna is the only one with supernatural powers.

    When Ben starts getting out of control, the others must stop him, and there's enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat! The child actors are absolutely fantastic. Alva Brynsmo Ramstad was incredible in a very demanding role as Anna, while Rakel Lenora Petersen Fløttum was able to convey so much emotion with a simple glance, or stare.

    'The Innocents' is a highly effective, slow burn psychological horror film. The innocents are not all that innocent after all...

    The film reminded me of 2012's 'Chronicle', with four teenagers discovering powers, and one of them slowly but surely getting out of control.
  • jmbovan-47-160173 - 26 November 2023
    Realistic evil but slow
    I'll give The Innocents a 7, largely because this film captures the reality of gaining superpowers and the reactions that can come with this. In a similar themed film, Chronicle gives a sense of the repsonisibilities of having superpowers and the potential corruption that can happen with adolescents. The Innocents sets this scenario with prepubescent children, and we can see the dangers with concrete thinking (versus the hormones of adolescence).

    Part of my problem with this film is the pacing as it slowly unfolds. And actions move slowly to plot points. There are elements that are striking and dire, but they are presented flatly, in an almost ordinary way. This may be to mirror the culture (Norwegian) or the quality of children this age. But, I could have used a bit more tension or emotion in the presentation.

    Another aspect that was unfulfilled is that there is no reason given for the children to have supernatural powers. One boy just does. Then other types are found in a couple others.

    Finally, the boy is cruel. And I'm not exactly certain why. He's picked on by an older boy. His mother has a sharp tongue with him. But the level cruelty is stark in comparison to what happens to him.

    It was an intriguing film to watch, just a bit slow in presentation and underemotional for some of the elements presented in the film. At the end, a lesson on empathy seems to be something that was learned.
  • GothicGretch - 12 June 2023
    Not So Innocent!
    I enjoyed watching The Innocents. It has an interesting and unique plot. I wouldn't claim it's terrifying, but it does have disturbing and suspenseful moments. The acting is also remarkable. It features some of the best acting from children that I've ever seen. In addition, I like how the film is philosophical. It includes meaningful symbolism and metaphors. That all being said, it has a couple of flaws. The movie is almost 2 hours long and felt slow. In some parts, it was also a little boring. Despite this, it was still entertaining to watch. I'll further say that it does have disturbing scenes, so people that get disturbed easily should probably skip on watching this. While the movie has a couple of flaws, I feel that they're minimal, and it's still an enjoyable and intriguing watch. It's a well-done film.
  • g-tummarello - 30 October 2022
    Extraordinarily uninteresting and boring
    I endures the whole 2 hours due to the high ratings hoping something would salvage the trite ideas "kids with superpowers.. wow never heard that before" with.. something. But no really there is absolutely nothing well developed in the movies if not some unusual upside down shot and some depressing atmosphere, sadly fueled by some sort of depressingly shot multiculturality.

    Such gloomy environment would have worked if there had been some substance in the movie.

    I could add unrealistic as well but really that is not the point. It's a boring superficial soup of supernatural cliques which at times comes close some ideas but then fails miserably.
  • zhivago97 - 15 September 2022
    Documentary about kids using magic for good
    I guess this is what kids do nowadays. This documentary follows 4 darling kids (1 boy and 3 girls) one summer in a beaten down town in Norway as they discover friendship, budding romance and magical powers. A light hearted documentary capturing the innocence of kids being kids!

    The boy, whom all the girls fall in love with, has the most magical power within the group. He is as powerful as the archangel Gabriel and can do no harm. He is an animal and nature lover and uses his powers to show kindness toward all things living.

    The documentary even follows him along as he uses his magical power to help a young and inexperienced soccer player on the playground have a new and amazing life experience. The soccer player is so overwhelmed with joy he screams out in gratitude.

    And the fawning girls just love their group leader. They know that when he grows up he will make an excellent husband so they all fight to get closer to him.

    This boy is multitalented and helps his mom boil water for cooking dinner. When she has an accident and falls (she is clumsy and dumb), he does his best to help her and even covers her to keep her warm. He says a prayer to help her. But she is not a good person. For even though dinner is already made, she is not grateful and complains for no reason.

    Overall this documentary is a wonderfully educational look at kids using magic nowadays. You will laugh and be filled with joy as you watch. A wonderful documentary for all ages. Plus it teaches the power of using magic for good in the world. Lots for everyone to learn!
  • info-874-940661 - 22 August 2022
    Animal torture warning
    This film should not be rated 15. It needs warnings about Graphic horrific animal torture. I regret the half hour I watched, it was very upsetting and I wish I could get the time back. I would not recommend this film to anyone. Hopefully the child actors weren't too disturbed in the making of this film.