Talk about the worst vacation ever. Alexander Skarsgård plays James, a writer with his wife at a remote resort in a strange fictional country called Li Tolqa. They are told not to leave the resort compound, but go on a scenic picnic with another couple anyway. On the way back, James runs over and kills a local, which triggers the law getting involved and justice needing to be served.

Unable to find his passport to leave, James begins cavorting with a group of other tourists who had similar fates after breaking the laws of the land. Things spiral out of control as James questions who he is and goes deeper down the rabbit hole. Does he want to embrace indulgent hedonism and lose himself forever?

Director Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, is very capable of weaving a bonkers story of horror and psychological mystery. In addition to the good pacing, the cinematography is expert in its uniqueness, the music is perfect at the right times, and the acting is top notch from Skarsgård and Mia Goth. Did I mention the gory stuff? Plenty of bloody wounds and fleshy flesh when it needs to get your skin crawling. The only real downside was some of the plot elements that just happen and create holes that don’t make much sense without some sort of explanation.

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