LFO DVD Review

     Actors: Patrik Karlson, Per Lofberg

Director: Antonio Tublen

Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: Swedish

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Dark Sky Films

DVD Release Date: October 28, 2014

Run Time: 98 minutes

 

 

        This low-budget science-fiction dark comedy from Sweden plays into the darker recesses of human nature, specifically delving into the question of what we might do if there were no repercussions for our actions. What if we could act any way that we wanted, because the simple push of a button could provide the ability to control the way that others perceive events? LFO imagines a situation where that power is in the hands of a disturbed loner spending most of his time alone, envious of those he watches from the windows of his home.

 

        Robert is socially inept, but as an amateur scientist he has instead spent countless hours in his basement working on experiments with sound waves. After discovering a sound wave that enables him to hypnotize people, Robert equips his entire house with speakers and invites over his attractive new neighbors, Linn and Simon (Izabella Jo Tschig and Per Löfberg), as test subjects. What begins as a simple experiment quickly turns into an escape into perversion, allowing Robert to live out his every fantasy with full support of all who enter his home.

 

        This goes as expected, with Robert almost immediately beginning an affair with Linn with no resistance from Simon. Adding insult to injury, Robert also forces Simon to join a band with him, compulsively complimenting his unimpressive musical abilities. These hijinks can only go so far before the outside world begins to notice, though even the cops can’t stop Robert so long as he can get them inside the house. Eventually this is not enough to appease the mad scientist in Robert, and he looks to use his powers on a larger scale.

 

        Low budget and shot in 10 days, LFO has a certain element of camp to it. The premise is clever and there are humorous dark moments in the film, but it grows stagnant in the second act, dragging under the limited cast and number of ways people can be manipulated in one house. The DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette and a trailer.  

Entertainment Value: 6/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 6.5/10

Historical Significance:  4/10

Special Features: 4/10