Richard (Nick Frost), Susan (Aisling Bay) and their family travel to a remote Swedish island for a family vacation. There, they encounter unfriendly locals – and the possibility of a serial killer.
“Nick Frost in a horror comedy” is a phrase that inevitably invites comparisons to Shaun of the Dead. Get Away is a completely different beast from Frost’s acclaimed 2004 film debut: it’s a horror comedy set in northern Sweden rather than North London, and there’s less of a loving homage going on here: while Get Away’s creepy Scandinavians and their strange customs occasionally evoke Midsommar, there’s more of a droll, holiday-go-round mishmash atmosphere — Eden Lake meets National Lampoon’s Vacation, if you will.
This is cemented from the minute it’s released, with Cliff Richard’s “Summer Holiday” blaring through the rental car’s speakers. This is where we meet Frost — on both acting and screenwriting duties — as the affable Richard in pure dad mode, cheerfully blurting out lines like, “All aboard the Skylark!” Aisling Bea, as his wife Susan, matches his energy perfectly, calling him “Daddy” in a glowing way, and describing their vacations as “Hollybobs,” the saddest of their eye-rolling teenagers (Sebastian Croft, Maisie Ayres).
Meanwhile, the Nordic locals, like the guardians of The Slaughtered Lamb in An American Werewolf in London, all stare in silence. Despite repeated warnings and insistence from the community that they are not welcome, the family persists for reasons that at first seem surprising. Susan seems to have some kind of ancestral connection to the island, and there’s at least one interesting admission of how Brexit has made European travel a little more daunting for Brits abroad, but why would you bother staying around?
The gently humorous portrayal of the out-of-towners and the creepy _Wicker Man-_esque rituals that dominate the first two-thirds of the film feel quite effective, if a little derivative. Dutch director Stefan Hars has a good handle on the tone, which oscillates between British irony and Scandinavian melancholy in a light and competent way, and Hars makes the most of his green setting. But we’ve seen this kind of thing before.
“Get Away” (2024) seems to be a relatively recent release, and its reviews are mixed. As of now, here is a summary of some general sentiments from critics and audiences:
Positive Reviews:
- Atmosphere and Tension: Many reviewers have praised the movie for its strong sense of atmosphere. The film builds a tense, suspenseful environment that keeps viewers engaged throughout.
- Cinematography and Visuals: The cinematography and visual style have been highlighted as some of the strongest elements, with several critics noting how the locations and shots contribute to the overall mood of the story.
- Performances: Some performances, particularly by the lead actors, have been recognized for bringing authenticity and depth to the characters.
Negative Reviews:
- Pacing Issues: A number of reviews have criticized the pacing, describing parts of the film as slow or drawn-out, which can detract from the overall impact.
- Predictable Plot: Some audiences found the plot to be formulaic, with few surprises or twists, leading to a somewhat predictable experience for those familiar with the genre.
- Character Development: A few critics have mentioned that the characters could have been more fleshed out, with certain decisions and motivations feeling shallow or underdeveloped.
Overall Impression:
“Get Away” (2024) is a suspense thriller that has garnered both praise for its mood and setting, and criticism for its pacing and lack of originality. If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers, it might be worth watching, but if you prefer fast-paced action or intricate plots, it may not live up to expectations.