The film, a coming-of-age story from Iceland, didn’t make a strong first impression. The initial scenes were unsettling because of some very realistic, harsh images, which led me to believe I would dislike it. However, that feeling quickly faded; the disturbing imagery was limited to the beginning, like a small flaw in an otherwise beautiful presentation. Soon after, the story shifted and centered on two friends and their activities, which helped establish their connection and hinted at what was to come later. It’s geared toward teenagers, exploring those awkward moments of first attraction—experiences that are often uncomfortable. The film focuses on how these teens navigate sexuality, set against a backdrop of friendship. It's certainly an awareness film with deliberate storytelling, especially concerning the twist and ending. While I found the conclusion predictable given my experience with similar films, others might not feel the same way; seeing it unfold visually creates a different kind of impact. The story unfolds in a small, isolated Icelandic town, where two teenage friends are beginning to understand their sexuality. Their families face personal struggles, but this doesn't prevent them from spending their days together, interacting with girls, and generally behaving like any other teenagers would. When one of their minor pranks is taken seriously by their parents, things begin to change, and their long-standing friendship is put to the test. However, the resolution felt somewhat convenient. > -xX] No makeup! We look gay enough already. [Xx- While the film deals with LGBTQ+ themes, it doesn’t immediately or deeply explore them from that perspective. It does highlight how being gay remains a taboo in some places and shows the experience through the eyes of young people who are still learning about it—a lesson not always grasped by older generations either. The adult characters aren't developed enough to fully illustrate this, but the film reveals that their society isn’t entirely accepting of everyone. Having seen many films with similar themes, I consider this another example of Iceland’s perspective on discrimination. I respect the film and its creators because it was made with good intentions. As mentioned earlier, the opening scenes were difficult to watch due to their brutal tone, which thankfully didn't continue throughout the rest of the movie. As someone who loves animals and nature, those initial images were hard to stomach. Aside from that, there’s nothing to dislike. Those early moments served as a step in the characters’ development—that’s what coming-of-age stories are all about, isn't it? Because this is a film about young people discovering themselves, the actors are mostly new faces, and they deliver strong performances. It was also the filmmaker’s debut, and the script is well written and executed. The film has won several festival awards. I particularly enjoyed the scenic countryside landscapes, which reminded me of films set in rural New Zealand. While the focus remained on the story, the backgrounds were beautifully rendered and complemented what was being portrayed. It had been on my watchlist—a list for movies with something intriguing—and now I’m glad to have seen it. It lived up to expectations, and I recommend it. _7/10_

Source on TMDB