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From 1952, Finnish movie The White Reindeer represents one of the remarkable lost classics in the folk horror genre. Even though it won prizes at Cannes and the Golden Globe Awards during its time, it remained forgotten until a breathtaking 4K restoration was released in 2017.

Placed on the barren, snow-covered fells of Sápmi, the picture offers an uncanny, totally ethereal dark fairy tale. This area is sometimes known as the Lapland region, though the indigenous Sámi community regard that name as offensive.

The Chilling Prologue and Metamorphosis

Through a haunting opening, it is foretold that a infant Sámi girl will become a witch. She grows into Piriti (acted by Mirjami Kuosmanen), a strong-willed lady who chafes against her lonely reality as the wife of a traveling reindeer shepherd.

She seeks solace from a nearby shaman, but likely owing to her inborn magical abilities, his love ritual fails and changes her into a vampiric shapeshifter, cursed to hunt and consume men in the form of a white reindeer.

Artistic Style and Roots

Kuosmanen co-wrote the screenplay with her partner, filmmaker and cinematographer Erik Blomberg. He combines impressive documentary footage of Sámi life on this otherworldly terrain with intense artistic style that brings to mind silent-era expressionist filmmakers like Murnau and Lang.

Shot in monochrome and almost entirely on location in the wild, The White Reindeer juxtaposes the glaring bright snow with pitch-black Gothic tableaux, and moves between them via the in-between dim light of the northern sun.

Unclear and Dreamlike Plot

While the narrative is straightforward and the events are clearly presented, The White Reindeer continues to be ambiguous and ethereal. It is ambiguous exactly when in history it’s occurring.

The logic of the protagonists' decisions can be obscure, and the characters appear cut adrift, separated in the vast negative space of their environment. It’s also that rare breed of creature feature that keeps its emphasis directly and empathetically on the beast as its central figure.

The lead actress evokes the silent film legends in a portrayal filled with unfulfilled longing and a fierce craving she doesn’t fully understand.

Lasting Influence

Despite its brief hour-plus duration, The White Reindeer can feel deliberate, thanks to its restrained narrative approach. But the lead actress's powerful performance, Blomberg’s incredible imagery, and the film's haunting metaphor for the way a repressive community can demonize feminine craving will remain in your mind for a considerable time.