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Released in 1952, Finland's movie The White Reindeer stands as one of the exceptional overlooked treasures in the folk horror style. Even though it earned prizes at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes during its time, it became overlooked until a stunning digital restoration started doing the rounds in the past decade.

Set on the barren, snow-covered fells of northern Scandinavia, the film offers an spooky, totally otherworldly macabre story. This region is sometimes known as the Lapland region, though the indigenous Sámi population consider that term as derogatory.

The Chilling Prologue and Metamorphosis

In a haunting introduction, it is predicted that a infant young Sámi female will turn into a sorceress. She grows into the character Piriti (portrayed by the actress Mirjami Kuosmanen), a strong-willed lady who rebels against her isolated life as the partner of a roaming reindeer shepherd.

She attempts to find relief from a regional spiritual healer, but perhaps due to her innate sorcery, his romance spell goes wrong and turns her into a blood-drinking metamorph, fated to hunt and feed on human males in the guise of a pale reindeer.

Production Approach and Roots

The actress wrote the screenplay with her spouse, director and cinematographer Blomberg. He combines impressive documentary footage of Sámi life on this otherworldly environment with powerful visual flair that brings to mind silent-film expressionist filmmakers like Murnau and Fritz Lang.

Shot in black and white and predominantly on location in the natural environment, The White Reindeer contrasts the blinding snowy whiteness with deep black Gothic tableaux, and moves between them via the in-between dim light of the low Arctic sun.

Ambiguous and Ethereal Narrative

While the plot is uncomplicated and the events are explicitly shown, The White Reindeer remains unclear and dreamlike. It’s not clear exactly which historical period it’s taking place.

The reasoning of the characters’ behavior can be obscure, and the characters appear detached, alone in the immense negative space of their surroundings. It’s also that rare breed of monster movie that keeps its emphasis directly and empathetically on the creature as its main perspective.

Kuosmanen embodies the early cinema icons in a portrayal consumed by unfulfilled longing and a intense hunger she doesn’t fully understand.

Memorable Effect

In spite of its brief 68-minute duration, The White Reindeer can feel deliberate, thanks to its restrained narrative approach. But the lead actress's powerful performance, Blomberg’s astonishing visuals, and the film's unforgettable metaphor for the way a oppressive community can demonize women's longing will stay in your mind for a considerable time.