Tommy Wirkola’s Creature Feature: A Confused Identity
Tommy Wirkola, the Norwegian filmmaker known for his unique blend of horror and comedy, has once again brought us a new creature feature. Titled “What Happened to Monday”, the film follows the story of seven identical sisters who must fight for survival in a dystopian world where families are only allowed one child. While the premise may sound intriguing, the execution falls short, leaving the audience confused and unsatisfied.
Wirkola’s previous works, such as “Dead Snow” and “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”, have shown his talent for creating entertaining and over-the-top horror films. However, with “What Happened to Monday”, it seems like Wirkola has lost his footing and doesn’t know what kind of movie he wants to make.
The film starts off with a promising concept – a world where overpopulation has led to a strict one-child policy. The seven sisters, named after the days of the week, are forced to hide their existence from the government by taking turns to go out into the world as their shared identity, Karen Settman. This setup has the potential to explore themes of identity, family, and sacrifice. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Wirkola is more interested in the action and gore rather than the deeper themes.
The film’s tone is all over the place, making it difficult for the audience to fully invest in the story. At times, it tries to be a serious dystopian drama, but then suddenly shifts to a campy action flick. The constant back and forth between genres is jarring and takes away from the overall viewing experience.
One of the biggest issues with “What Happened to Monday” is its lack of character development. The seven sisters, played by Noomi Rapace, are all given distinct personalities, but they never fully come to life on screen. We are told that they have different interests and skills, but we never get to see them in action. This makes it hard to care for their well-being and ultimately, the stakes of the film.
The film also introduces a love interest for one of the sisters, played by Marwan Kenzari, but their relationship feels forced and unnecessary. It seems like Wirkola wanted to add a romantic subplot, but it doesn’t add anything to the story and only serves as a distraction.
Another issue with the film is its pacing. The first half of the film is slow and spends too much time setting up the world and the characters. However, the second half is a non-stop action sequence that feels rushed and lacks any real tension. The film could have benefited from a more balanced pace, allowing for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships.
Despite its flaws, “What Happened to Monday” does have some redeeming qualities. The production design and visual effects are impressive, creating a believable and dystopian world. The action sequences are also well-choreographed and entertaining to watch. However, these elements are not enough to save the film from its confused identity.
In conclusion, “What Happened to Monday” is a disappointing addition to Tommy Wirkola’s filmography. While it has a promising concept and some strong performances, the film suffers from a lack of focus and character development. It’s a shame that Wirkola couldn’t fully commit to one genre and instead tried to blend multiple elements, resulting in a muddled and unsatisfying film.
As a fan of Wirkola’s previous works, I had high hopes for “What Happened to Monday”. However, it falls short of expectations and leaves the audience wanting more. I hope that in his future projects, Wirkola will find a better balance between horror, comedy, and drama, and deliver a film that knows exactly what it wants to be.
