Mal

Lo único que socava un poco esta película es el entorno temporal poco claro. Para que los eventos no parezcan poco realistas y exagerados desde el punto de vista actual, utiliza música similar a la de que suena a Herrmann y está ambientada en la posguerra. Sin embargo, así como el aspecto técnico de la película, corresponden a la actualidad para resultar atractiva para el público adolescente (más perceptivo) de hoy, para quien puede convertirse en la película de sus sueños. Sin embargo, si miramos más allá de estas inconsistencias, Evil se convierte en un drama emocionalmente poderoso y perfectamente rodado (hermoso trabajo de cámara), con elenco y actuación de primera, cuyo aspecto formalista coincide con el de las mejores producciones de Hollywood. (12.02.2009)

I have to say that I expected something a bit more emotional. Klass, a film that deals with a similar topic, was a lot more interesting because the situation in Czech grammar schools is more similar in it than in the boy’s boarding school in Evil, i.e. I could relate better (and to be honest, I don’t believe something like this can happen in civilised Europe). Of course, it did arouse some emotions too, but compared to Klass, the enjoyment is barely half. (26.11.2008)

If Harry Potter weren’t a fantasy, this could be its perfect “bully" adaptation. I felt each one of those blows physically, which I think is a first for a movie. And if Andreas Wilson wasn’t just acting himself, then he is the most talented actor I know right now. Personally, I would have ended it with the fadeout as the door closes behind him and his step-father. What follows it just SO terribly unnecessary... (13.04.2009)

Evil, or a revolution in bullying at a Swedish school for aristocratic nerds. The film is shot very clearly and realistically and has a solid structure. The music is bland as is the cinematography but the script was really sharp. The acting is top notch and even though the plot can smack of cliché, the denouement was (for me) excellent. It's probably not a film that can bring people to their knees and make them stare at the screen with their mouths wide open, but as far as quality goes, this film has it in almost every way. (28.06.2010)

This Swedish gem easily ranks among my top ten favorite (most precious) films. I can't describe it, nor can I pinpoint exactly what makes Evil so special and brilliant for me in perhaps every respect. Part of it may be that, although it is not only a powerful but also a rather cruel drama, I didn't feel "manipulated" and pitifully begged for sympathy for the main character throughout the entire film. In short, the entire film is conceived as one very harsh human fate (a punishment all too disproportionate to the initial transgression) that the vast majority would buckle under, which is (un)fortunately not the case for Erik Ponti. The overall attitude or character of the protagonist – especially his "proud defiance" – struck me as almost "Promethean" at times, and I wouldn't be afraid to compare his unshakable endurance and resistance to higher "authorities" and arbitrariness to ancient heroism. However, the character of Erik goes even further in his struggle than the ancient heroes and is thus much closer to the Prometheus of the 19th century, who (unlike the ancient myth) in P.B. Shelley's did not submit to malice and proudly resists it to the end. I hope I didn't get too carried away by that literary interlude. ;) (04.04.2011)