There was a resemblance to John Carradine in Max Von Sydow’s portrayal, as the man responsible for the bewildering events at the heart of the story. His traveling group arrives in a small Swedish town where residents are doubtful about the abilities and offerings of the "Vogler" show. MVS is the head magician, accompanied by his wife “Wanda” (Ingrid Thuler), his aunt/grandmother who concocts medicinal tonics (Naira Wifstrand, who steals several scenes) and the mysterious "Tubal" (Åke Fridell), all contributing to this family’s livelihood. The local police commissioner (Toivo Paulo) is wary and insists that before they present their “talents” to a more easily convinced audience, they must first demonstrate to a panel consisting of himself, prominent citizen "Egerman" (Erland Josephson), and the openly antagonistic health minister "Vergerus" (Gunnar Björnstrand). Despite their best efforts, these skeptics find themselves unable to dismiss what is happening before them. Is this genuine or simply an exceptionally clever deception from the “Vogler” team? What follows is a smart and often quite funny succession of verbal sparring matches. Not only between those questioning the performers and the performers themselves, but we also witness tensions arise within the family as secrets surface and attention shifts. The ending remains effective, allowing this amusing commentary on science and horror to finish in a rather straightforward fashion. As with Bergman’s other works, the cinematography is noteworthy—particularly the focus on eyes, which conveys a sense of intensity, especially concerning the wife whose sexuality is often unclear. This technique effectively builds and maintains an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Even I am not entirely certain what's happening, and perhaps we should be aware that this must be a con. It’s quite good!

Source on TMDB