When Animals Dream

When Animals Dream is a Danish supernatural horror film released in 2014, directed by Jonas Alexander Arnby and featuring a compelling cast that includes Sonia Suhl, Lars Mikkelsen, and Sonja Richter. This atmospheric coming-of-age horror-drama explores a young woman discovering her true self in the shadow of a seemingly ordinary, tight-knit fishing community in modern Denmark.

The film centers on a 19-year-old young woman, Marie, played by Sonia Suhl, an innocent teenager living a secluded life with her father Thor (Lars Mikkelsen) and her wheelchair-bound mother (Sonja Richter) whose illness has rendered her to a near vegetative state. Marie's family lives in a small fishing village in Denmark filled with hardworking people living seemingly ordinary and mundane lives. The strained relationship between Marie and her family is evident from the onset, setting the tone for unnerving undercurrents of familial tension.

Marie's life takes a significant turn when she is employed at the local fish processing plant. Here, she not only has to struggle with the dirty, harsh work environment but also has to confront the cruel, malicious behavior of her male co-workers. We witness her transformational journey as she attempts to navigate this adult world, while also exploring a romantic subplot as she embarks on a burgeoning relationship with a charming yet somewhat mysterious co-worker.

Simultaneously, Marie starts experiencing inexplicable physical changes - bouts of sudden, aggressive behavior, rashes on her skin, and fainting episodes. The changes Marie experiences are only the tip of the iceberg. She embarks on an introspective journey, attempting to unearth the truth about her mother's illness and her own burgeoning symptoms that are eerily similar. This uncertainty casts a shadow over Marie's life and fuels the horror elements of the film.

The director, Jonas Alexander Arnby, subtly orchestrates this eerie story with exquisite control. Using the remote, desolate setting of the Danish coastline, Arnby beautifully intertwines the natural gloom of this setting with the tension and terror lurking in Marie's life. The stark, damp, and foggy environment amplifies the isolation and alienation felt by Marie, further intensifying the air of horror in this eerily atmospheric movie.

Arnby cleverly uses metaphorical real-world horrors, including the challenges young women face in the male dominated workplaces, the effects of bullying, and the burdens of concealing personal sickness, and contrasts them with the supernatural elements of the film. The narrative continually pushes and blurs the line between real-world mental and physical illness and supernatural transformations, adding layers of complexity to this well-crafted horror drama.

Sonia Suhl, in her debut film, delivers a phenomenal performance, beautifully bringing her character Marie to life. She navigates her role with a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, gradually transforming from an introverted teenager into a young woman confronting her horrifying destiny. Lars Mikkelsen brings integrity to his role as a violently protective father, while Sonja Richter's performance as Marie's mother is haunting and heartbreaking in equal measure.

When Animals Dream is more than your conventional horror movie; it is also a poignant exploration of the challenges faced during the transformation from adolescence to adulthood. The film portrays this transition within the context of a small community with strong social norms and expectations that don't leave much room for societal deviation.

Enhanced by Nikolaj Egelund's haunting score and Niels Thorlund's crisp cinematography, When Animals Dream is a captivating blend of body horror and familial drama. Its slow-burning narrative, dynamic performances, and subtle symbolism create a uniquely chilling cinematic experience.

In conclusion, When Animals Dream is a moody, atmospheric horror film that artfully blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, delivering a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story and a terrifying tale of transformation all at once. The film, with its raw narrative and stunning performances, serves as a compelling reflection on societal norms, personal discovery, and the horrors that can stem from both.