Klokslag Twaalf: A Dusty Relic or Worth Your Time?

Is it worth the watch?

If you like your movies to move fast or if you get easily annoyed by grain and crackling audio, just skip this one. It is a slow burn that relies entirely on a specific type of moody, theatrical staging. People who enjoy hunting down older, obscure European genre pieces will probably find something to latch onto, though. If you are looking for a breezy Saturday night watch, keep looking.

The vibe is thick.

There is something about the way these older films frame a room. Everything feels like it is waiting for something to go wrong. Klokslag twaalf moves with this weird, deliberate gait that reminded me a little bit of the tension in The Knocking on the Door. It is not exactly fast-paced, but there is a weight to the silence.

Odd little observations

• The lighting in the hallway scenes is honestly great, even if it makes you wonder why nobody just turned on a lamp.
• Some of the reactions feel like they were rehearsed for a stage play, which makes them feel disconnected from the camera.
• I swear the clock in the corner of the set is ticking at a different speed than the actual plot.
• The way they handle shadows makes everyone look like a suspect, which is probably the point.

It is definitely not as tight as The House Surrounded, but it has that same feeling of being trapped in a space that doesn't want you there. At times, the dialogue just hangs in the air, going on a bit too long until it feels like the actors are just waiting for a cue that never comes. It is awkward, sure, but it feels human.

I found myself zoning out a bit during the middle act. The story just sort of meanders. Then suddenly, someone says something sharp, and you are dragged back into it. It is not consistent, but that is fine. 🤷‍♂️

If you have a free afternoon and a high tolerance for old-school melodrama, give it a go. Just do not expect it to change your life. Sometimes a movie is just a movie, and that is okay.