Pettersson: Old School Swedish Chaos

Is this thing worth your time?

If you have a weird love for 1940s Swedish cinema and don't mind a mystery that cares more about jokes than actual clues, jump right in. But if you are looking for something that makes sense—or a thriller that actually thrills—you’ll be bored within ten minutes. This one is strictly for the folks who like their detective stories with a side of vaudeville slapstick.

Thor Modéen is front and center here, playing the former soccer hero turned policeman. You can tell he’s the guy who knows he’s the star, which makes the whole thing feel a bit loose. He carries himself like he’s walking onto a pitch rather than a crime scene. Sometimes he just stands there, hands on hips, looking like he’s waiting for a whistle to blow that isn't coming.

The safe-blowing plot is really just an excuse to get these people in a room together. It’s barely a plot. It’s more of a frame for people to argue. There’s a lot of yelling. Why is everyone so loud in this? I found myself lowering the volume, then raising it when the music swelled up, then lowering it again when they started bickering.

Odd moments and observations

• The safe explosion happens so fast you almost blink and miss it.
• The lighting in the police station is incredibly flat, like they forgot to turn on half the lamps.
• The supporting cast seems to be having a much better time than the actual detective.
• Every time someone mentions the "soccer days," the movie grinds to a halt to remind us that he was once famous. We get it!

There’s a strange energy to the way they film the interrogation scenes. It’s very static. Like a school play where you’re worried someone is going to forget their lines. Compare this to the tension in something like The Devil Is Driving and you realize this isn't really trying to be a serious procedural at all. It’s a romp. A very, very old-fashioned romp.

The dialogue is thick with that specific kind of 1940s banter that feels like it’s being read off a chalkboard. Still, there’s something kind of charming about how little it cares about being realistic. It’s not trying to be The Gamblers or some high-stakes drama. It’s just Pettersson, the ex-athlete, bumbling through a case while people look at him with mild annoyance.

I caught myself looking at the background extras during the crowd scenes. They have that "I'm just here for the coffee" look. One guy in the back of the police station scene looks like he's trying to suppress a laugh for a full minute. Maybe he was. I don't blame him.

Ultimately, it’s not a film that stays with you. It’s like a snack you eat when you’re not even hungry. You finish it, you forget the taste, and you move on. Not bad, just... there. 🤷‍♂️