Blasted is a Norwegian Sci-Fi comedy film which is released on Netflix on 28 June 2022. Based on the real-life UFO phenomenon in Hessdalen, Norway, the film is directed by Martin Sofiedal and the screenplay is written by Emanuel Nordrum. It has a runtime of about 1 hour and 55 minutes.
The cast includes Axel Bøyum as Sebastian, Fredrik Skogsrud as Mikkel, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Hjørdis, André Sørum as Kasper, Evelyn Rasmussen Osazuwa as Stine, Mathias Luppichini as Audun, Eirik Hallert as Pelle, Ingar Helge Gimle as Georg, Rune Temte as Roy, Cecilie Svendsen as Josefine.
-Blasted Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
Blasted Plot: A Bachelor Party Invaded By Aliens
We are introduced to our main lead Sebastian, who is preparing for a big presentation so he could get the investor, Kasper, on board with his idea. But things don’t go too well, meanwhile, his office colleague and friends Audun and Pelle are planning his bachelor party this weekend at Hessdalen. It is a Norwegian mountain valley famous for its inexplicable lights in the sky.
Some consider it to be UFOs, and aliens and some think it’s some natural phenomenon which needs to be researched further. Scientists and alien fanatics around the world have sought out these lights but it remains a mystery till now. Anyway, Audun had booked a guided tour of this valley and even invited Sebastian’s childhood friend, Mikkel.
They haven’t been in touch for a while but Mikkel still turns up for his friend. On the other hand, Sebastian has also invited Kasper to show that he is also a fun guy, to impress him and get the investment. Throughout the trip, he tries to win over Kasper instead of enjoying his own bachelor party. Until they are encountered by aliens who have possessed human bodies and trying to do the same to them.
Comedy Leads the Story
If you were getting into this film thinking it will be some action-packed sci-fi film about fighting with aliens then you might be slightly wrong. It will be more apt to call this film a comedy which has some alien-fighting sequences throughout the film. There are numerous films and TV series on Netflix, under the similar alien/monster invasion, but they all have a serious tone to them.
Whereas this is your typical film that has all the elements from the alien film’s trope. As seen before, somebody finds a hidden cave in the woods which has a mysterious machine placed there. But as soon as they touch it they become possessed and become the leader to recruit more people into it. It is not a serious film where they find something unusual and decide to save the world.
Instead, the leading factor here is the humour, it’s all about the friends, the chemistry and the never-ending banter between them, as they figure out their differences and kill aliens.
Sebastian and Mikkel used to be best of friends and were even published in their local newspaper as the ‘laser tag duos, going to laser tag world cup’. But life happened and Sebastian became a career-oriented guy and Mikkel is still living in the same bubble. During the trip, he tries to rekindle their fond memories by bringing laser tag to play. But Sebastian finds it childish and shuns Mikkel.
Only later when they discover that the laser guns can make the gooey alien spirit get out of the human body. That’s when the two best friends get to live their childhood fantasy of being the laser gun heroes, saving the world against monsters. But they are only 2 guys against the whole population of the valley that is possessed by aliens. What will happen to his investment deal with Kasper and will they even survive or become a part of the possessed, eye-glowing army?
Final Thoughts: Stream It or Skip It?
Blasted on Netflix is the first of its kind, UFO-based film to come out of Norway. The unusual mystery behind the Hassdalen lights is quite popular in the science community but hasn’t been adapted into popular content yet. Through this film, the creators shed light on the topic and make it a backdrop for a film about camaraderie and friendship with elements of comedy.
It is a casual watch which doesn’t need to be taken seriously but is entertaining to watch, nevertheless. If you enjoy Sci-Fi films but don’t want to watch something on a heavy or serious side, then this is a perfect film for you.
Blasted is streaming on Netflix.
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