Big fan of Nordic noir? Netflix’s new thriller film is made for you

Here’s what you need to know about Red Dot, aka Netflix’s new Swedish thriller.

From Equinox, to Quicksand, to Marcella, there’s always been something incredibly addictive about the world of Nordic noir. And you better believe that Netflix knows it.

In fact, the streaming platform has – in a bid to quench our seemingly insatiable thirst for the stuff – confirmed that a wealth of original Swedish films and TV shows will become available to subscribers over the next few months.

“There’s been a significant increase in the amount of work we’ve been doing with them over the last couple of years,” said Tim King, the head of film and TV production at Stockholm’s SF Studios, during a recent interview with The Guardian.

“It’s woken everyone up who’s dreamed of doing horror, sci-fi, anything. Suddenly there’s an outlet and somebody who’s willing to bet on it.”

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One such project? High-concept thriller Red Dot, aka Netflix’s first-ever feature film from Sweden.

“With Red Dot, we looked at it for a cinematic release, but we decided no, it’s too high risk, it’s too small a niche – we’ll lose money on this thing,” explained King.

“And so when Netflix came in and said ‘what have you got that’s different?’, we said this. What Netflix does is they find that niche everywhere in the world.”

Here’s what you need to know about the film.

What’s the plot of Red Dot?

The film starts off by treading somewhat familiar territory; David and Nadja, a couple in their late 20s, are struggling to navigate the peaks and troughs of their increasingly rocky relationship. When Nadja becomes pregnant, though, the duo realise they have to make a decision about their marriage: are they in, or are they out?

In a bid to rekindle the romance, the couple decide to travel to the magnificent expanses in the north of Sweden for a ski hike. And here’s where the plot zigs where you might expect it to zag. Because, after a quarrel with two local hunters, their make-or-break trip slowly turns into a nightmare. 

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The clue’s in the title, of course; a red laser dot – the kind of red dot which is, terrifyingly, associated with hunting rifles – appears in their tent. Someone has taken aim at them. Cue the pair scrambling out of their sleeping bags and fleeing into the cold, unforgiving, snowy wasteland outside.

Totally isolated in the mountains, David and Nadja are now being pursued by reckless shooters. And, during this sadistic hunt, it’s not long before the couple’s past comes back to haunt them, too.

Is there a trailer for Red Dot?

You can watch Netflix’s trailer for Red Dot below.

Fair warning, though: it may leave you feeling incredibly anxious as to the whereabouts of the couple’s dog (if you’re anything like this writer it will, anyway).

Who stars in the cast of Red Dot?

Johannes Kuhnke, Nanna Blondell, and Anastasios Soulis lead the cast of this taut and chilly thriller film.

Kalled Mustonen, Thomas Hanzon, Anna Azcárate, Per Mårthans, and Veronica Mukka also star.

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What are people saying about Red Dot?

Alain Darborg, the director of Red Dot, revealed the inspiration for the script, which he co-penned with Per Dickson, at the 30th Stockholm Film Festival.

As per Cine Europa, he said: “I first discovered that I was going to be a father while out hiking in the Swedish mountains. It all felt overwhelming and amazing.”

Darborg continued: “I was simultaneously struck by the loneliness of that place and what it might feel like if there were a maniac out in the wilderness, shooting at us. It was the combination of these emotions that was the original idea behind Red Dot – an action-thriller about the fear of becoming a parent (and being shot in the face).

“My ambition is to make a hair-raising film with high-octane, spectacular scenes, but with a very emotional core.”

When is Red Dot available to stream on Netflix?

Red Dot will make its premiere on Netflix UK on 11 February. 

Images: Netflix

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