Easy Money: Hard to Kill

Easy Money: Hard to Kill, is an intense and dramatic Scandinavian crime film that showcases an intricate narrative filled with tension, thrill, and stylized violence. It is the sequel to the film Easy Money, based on the book series by Jens Lapidus, and was released in 2012. The movie prominently features Joel Kinnaman, who reprised his role as JW, along with Matias Varela and Dragomir Mrsic, who portray the characters of Jorge and Mrado respectively.

The movie is set in the background of Sweden's urban landscape, capturing the brooding underbelly of Stockholm's gritty crime world, and showcases the raw, real-life challenges faced by those who are placed in desperate situations. Director Babak Najafi channels the perfect balance of irony with earnest storytelling, masterfully embedding strong characterizations with the suspense-filled plot.

After the events of the first movie, our protagonist JW, portrayed by Joel Kinnaman, finds himself in prison; a stark contrast to the star economics student we met in the first movie. Despite his unfortunate predicament, JW's mind is always working, scheming for ways to get back on top and recreate the affluent lifestyle he once fabricated. Kinnaman effortlessly gets under the skin of his character, delivering a performance that's extremely competent and layered with depth.

Meanwhile, Matias Varela as Jorge, an ex-convict with a heart of gold, is now on the chaotic path of survival. After a botched drug deal, Jorge finds himself on the run, entangled with the dangerous Serbian mafia and various other criminal syndicates, leading to a frenetic cat-and-mouse chase. Varela delivers an exemplary performance, fully immersing himself in the vulnerability and desperation of his character.

Mrado, brought to life by Dragomir Mrsic, is a hard-hitting hitman forced into early retirement due to circumstances evolving from the previous film. Tormented by these past events, he finds himself entangled in a quest for vengeance, showcasing his ruthless determination despite his personal predicament.

The central plot revolves around the three characters - JW, Jorge, and Mrado - whose paths intertwine in a course of events filled with desperation and struggle for survival. These three characters, all from different backgrounds and motivations, are forced to navigate the unforgiving realm of organized crime in Stockholm.

The movie crafts a gritty and realistic portrayal of Stockholm's underworld. It touches on the themes of loyalty, aspiration, regret and the 'easy money' that ultimately becomes hard to kill. It encapsulates the allure and harsh reality of financial ascendancy, exploring how ambition and desperation can spiral into dangerous outcomes.

Notwithstanding the plot's cat-and-mouse chronicle and the tension-filled suspense, director Najafi injects an element of heartbreaking humanity into each of his characters, allowing the audience to empathize with their plights, creating characters who are real and relatable, despite their criminal backgrounds.

The film emphasizes its complex narratives through powerful performances, high-stakes situations, and impactful dialogue. The screenplay by Maria Karlsson is well-executed, and the cinematography sets an atmospheric stage for the unfolding drama.

Easy Money: Hard to Kill is steeped in realism, and successfully paints a poignant picture of the criminal underworld and the people it ensnares. It provides both a thrilling ride and character arcs that engage the viewer from beginning to end. This movie, while addressing universal themes, is distinctly multifaceted and Scandinavian, unflinchingly exposing the gritty and grim underbelly of Stockholm.

While supplementing a dose of adrenaline and suspense, Easy Money: Hard to Kill also takes time to deliver profound observations about the societal disparities that drive individuals towards crime. Its exploration of themes like wealth disparity and immigration also contributes to its list of achievements.

Whether you are drawn to Easy Money: Hard to Kill for its action-packed storytelling and engaging characters or for its poignant commentary, this crime thriller drama is sure to leave you pondering over it long after the credits roll. This movie is an enthralling roller coaster ride that offers grim insights into the dark corners of life and an uncompromising look at the price of ambition and the cost of survival in a ruthless criminal world.