Bantam Good flicks come in all shapes and sizes. This one is a take on the pedophile scandal (q.v. Marc Dutroux) in Belgium. The whole setting is, I guess, the new Noir. So, let's see: we got a good lead actor, a very dark and somewhat twisted story of a cop investigating child abuse/molestation, who in turn has lost his brother to a child molester. With this case he pretty much has to re-live his youth. Scenes and settings look dirty, stale, run-down; the entire movie looks like a park in autumn, on a rainy day - thumbs up for that!The movie lives and thrives on those bad (to ugly) moments. There is the scene where Nick is confronted by Ivan at Nick's birthday party. Good grief, that was a well-done and scary scene. My personal moment of disgust was the one in the hospital when Nick questions Alex for the second time, after he talked to the PE teacher. When I realized what was going on, I knew this movie would not end on a happy-happy-joy-joy note.Let's be clear about it, it does not show that much violence, or graphic detail (Euroflicks tend to do that, in contrast to American ones, where even the most brutal violence is somewhat glossy and, let's be honest, glorified), but the subtle undercurrent is gripping and disgusting at the same time. I guess it feeds into our human obsession to gawk at train-wrecks and other disasters.The subject matter is difficult, but the presentation is really well done. And fortunately the movie does not judge, it leaves a lot to the viewer. Even the last scene is ambiguous. If you want good Euro-cinema, grab that one.

kosmasp I haven't read the novel this is based on (I've been told the novel is better, but it's tough for a movie to live up to the expectations, especially because this is based on all the twists the story takes and the guessing of who the bad guy is amongst other things), but the movie is really great.The central performance is amazing and unlike other crime movies it is not that easy to guess where this is going (if you haven't read the book). The twists and turns the story take are absolutely marvelous. Though that might not be the right word for it, we do get a movie that feels real. And even when we are a step ahead of the detective, it's not as if he's a bad cop. There is so much going on, he can't know everything ... sometimes not knowing can be tough though ...

Ngal-188-118651 I haven't written many reviews on here. I feel like I want to shout out about this movie. It left me with goosebumps! First Flemish movie I've watched and certainly now wont be my last.Amazing movie. Very well directed and acted. Really liked the main male character and you could feel his torment from what happened in his past.Don't want to give anything away but this truly is a must see movie but not for the feint hearted. Certainly not your typical run of the mill Hollywood movie which makes a nice change. Dark and disturbing....one of those movies that leaves you thinking... what if...

Seanseventysix Bare with me as this is my first review.This is a film of the British author Mo Hayder's book of the same title. Having read the book I was aware of the uneasy subject matter. It is a difficult watch and content is extremely dark. but that said overall the film was very good. For those who haven't read the book i feel will be in suspense and hooked throughout, right the way to the climax at the end.I was very impressed with the acting especially the lead, who carried off the angst ridden detective extremely well.The production values were high. The direction of the film was in keeping with the story being told with its solemn photography and use of lighting. It is definitely not your average film and I am not sure it would appeal to the average cinema goer, but i would highly recommend it. Even more so if you haven't read the book.My only gripe, and it is only small, is that certain things were left out from the book, which would of enhanced this film but I guess that is down to time/budget constraints.Lastly I would like to commend the director for taking on this film, being a fan of the Mo Hayder series of books involving this detective I can only hope someone else will take one of the other books. I thought maybe it might get picked up as a series like wire in the blood.