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The Simple-Minded Murderer

Name: The Simple-Minded Murderer
Genre: Drama
Released: 1982-02-12
Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Hans Alfredson, Maria Johansson, Per Myrberg, Gösta Ekman

1982 | 108 min | Drama

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Aimed squarely at anyone who likes a story with emotional weight. One to watch when you can give it your full attention.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 48 min.
What might put you off: It's in Swedish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.

The feeble-minded Sven's mother dies and he gets work as a farm-hand at the rich, affluent Höglund's farm. He has to work without pay and sleeps together with the cows. He meets the disabled Anna who is the first one to treat him as an adult. One day he has had enough of Höglund's maltreatment and moves in with Anna's family. Plot by Mattias Thuresson.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 11K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Hans Alfredson

Stellan SkarsgårdSven
Hans AlfredsonHöglund
Maria JohanssonAnna
Per MyrbergAndersson
Gösta EkmanThe New Driver
Carl BillquistFlodin
Lena NymanWoman Without Legs
Nils AhlrothMånsson
Lars AmbleBengt
Lena-Pia BernhardssonMrs. Andersson