Review of the film ‘Mr. K’ (2024)

The story is set in an undefined date, one where telephones an tv sets exist but personal computers and mobile phones do not. The protagonist Mr. K., a touring illusionist, arrives to a strange hotel that seems even older, where telephones appear to be the only piece of technology. To his astonishment, the inside of the hotel turns out to be a labyrinth with no windows to the exterior and no exit.

The story becomes surreal soon, with the many inhabitants of the hotel not caring at all about the exterior. The protagonist becomes a worker for the hotel kitchen, only to find a highly competitive environment where everybody aspires to a better position – say, whipping cream. The story has the likes of a fable, one that satirizes how much involved and competitive humans become, but then it runs out of things to say and does not know how to end.

If the story from Schwab is not good, the direction is. Excellent scenography, excellent coordination of the many actors that crowd the scenes, good rhythm. On the other hand, the acting tone is not excellent. The cinematography from Frank Griebe and the costume design from Charlotte Willems are excellent as well, making the scenes colourful. The music from Stan Lee Cole is good, fitting the action adequately.

As for the acting, it is good but does not shine, with the exception from the brilliant Fionnula Flanagan. Good acting from Crispin Glover, Dearbhla Molloy, Esmée van Kampen, Sam Louwyck, Bjørn Sundquist and Jan Gunnar Røise. Just about, Barbara Sarafian.

All in all, the film is a mesmerizing visual spectacle, however the story has little interest. 3 out of 5.

 

 

Title:	Mr. K.
Genre:	Fable
Year:	2024
Nationality:	Netherlands, Norway, Belgium
Colour:	Colour
Director:	Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab
Writer:	Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab
Cast:	Crispin Glover, Sunnyi Melles, Fionnula Flanagan, Bjørn Sundquist, Dearbhla Molloy, Barbara Sarafian, Jan Gunnar Røise, Esmée van Kampen, Sam Louwyck, George Arrendell, Josse Colsoul, Dominique Dauwe, Wito Geerts, Joshua Gabriel Liège, Yassine Ouaich, Klaartje Pedersen, Valeria Roco, Peter Schoenaerts, Anouk Slootmans, Ady van de Plas, Jurgen Van Haver, Kerline Verburgh, Richard Wareham, Monty Wells, Eben Yehemdi, Alexander Zammit, Guy Dierckx, Nick Stankevich
Producer:	Erik Glijnis, Ineke Kanters, Leontine Petit, Dries Phlypo, Judy Tossell, Jan van der Zanden
Executive producer:	Edgar Daarnhouwer, Dirk De Lille, Frank Klein, Tine Klint, Martin Koolhoven, Niki Leskinen, Olivier Mortagne, Martien Uyttendaele, Els Vandevorst
Production designer:	Manolito Glas, Maarten Piersma
Cinematographer:	Frank Griebe
Film editor:	Maarten Janssens
Casting:	Sharon Howard-Field, Saida van der Reijd, Ann Willems
Set Decorator:	Erly Brugmans
Costume Designer:	Charlotte Willems
Music:	Stan Lee Cole
Running time:	94 minutes
Language:	English