Months after they broke up, Gunnar receives a strange phone call from his ex-boyfriend, Einar. He sounds distraught, like he’s about to do something terrible to himself. Gunnar drives up to the secluded cabin where Einar is holed up and soon discovers that there’s more going on than he imagined. As the two men come to terms with their broken relationship, some other person seems to be lurking outside the cabin, wanting to get in.
Erlingur Thoroddsen tells a common story in the most uncommon regard. Reflective of our own inner demons whether we might realize it or not, begging questions and demanding answers without any guidance.
It's difficult to separate the Australian Babadook from Rökkur's stalker. But rather than being distractions, these similarities help launch Rökkur, and gay Icelandic narratives, into an increasingly international LGBT canon.
Tighter editing would have enhanced the film's effectiveness. But the cinematography is striking, sound and music are superb and the two leading actors - who carry much of the movie by themselves - both give telling performances.