The early 1990s Norwegian black metal scene produced influential music that is as gripping and gruesome as this tragicomic biopic, based on the cult non-fiction book subtitled “The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground.” Swedish filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund (former drummer for Bathory, pioneers of the genre) recreates the notorious rise-and-fall of the band Mayhem, whose prominence in black-metal history includes suicide, arson, and murder. But at its core, this gnarly anti-bromance is about the toxic rivalry between dark oddballs Euronymous (Rory Culkin) and Varg (Emory Cohen), with ironic laughs among the stabbings.
Short Before the Feature: Outta My Head // Chloe Pacheco :: Experimental film about a girl coming to terms with her inner self.
Bio
Renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund has made his mark with his distinctive storytelling and visually driven signature style that often pushes the boundaries of the status quo. He is an internationally awarded director of music videos, commercials, documentaries, concert films, stage shows, and feature films.