15, 113mins
It’s rare to see a film set in a boarding school that doesn’t include a certain degree of intimidation and bullying between students. But the brutality in the Swedish film Evil is exceptional. Erik (the very photogenic Andreas Wilson), a boy much expelled for violent behaviour, is admitted into an exclusive boarding school. But he finds himself up against a sadistic regime — the senior students rule with their own brand of callous justice.
The masters turn a blind eye even when one of the more extreme punishments nearly results in Erik’s death. We count the minutes until the rebellious Erik inevitably fights back. The direction is workmanlike rather than showy, but Evil is still an involving piece of storytelling.