The King of Devil's Island

The Independent“Skarsgard measures out a potent dose of manipulative wickedness...” The grim, wind-whipped location could make your teeth chatter, while the regime's abuses, abetted by the governor's divide-and-rule strategy, should make the blood boil...

Empire“A bleakly beautiful, austere film that doesn't patronise...” King of Devil’s Island explores a sinister moment in Norwegian history that won’t be forgotten...

Total Film “Tense and well-staged, but it’s finished too soon...” After so much Stieg Larsson and 'The Killing' though, it’s pleasing to see something from the Nordic countries that doesn’t involve police procedure and chunky jumpers...

Time Out film“Stark, austere and just a touch too reliant on prison movie clichés...” ‘King of Devil’s Island’ is no one’s idea of a fun night at the pictures. But it is a well-constructed and gripping story, particularly as the violent climax approaches...

Little White Lies“Abrasive, intense and imaginative Nordic riff on the prison flick...” And if this dark chapter of Norwegian history was swept beneath the waters long ago, King of Devil’s Island dredges it right back up to shame not only a nation, but all those who still today engage in institutional cover-up...

Guardian“A blend of 'Scum' and 'Papillon'...” There's an impressive force to the performances and, amid the ice and snow, the film burns with a sense of injustice that deservedly made it a hit in Norway...