King of Devil's Island

Based on a true story, director Marius Holst's King of Devil's Island takes place in the early 20th century at a Norwegian correctional facility for boys set on a remote island. Brutal, freezing, and run by men with little sense of compassion, the institution is like a graveyard of the living—full of numb, spiritually and physically depleted teenagers trying to do everything required of them simply to survive. Things change with the arrival of 17-year-old Erling (Benjamin Helstad)—rumored to be a murderer—who is made of tough stuff and is unwilling to yield to harsh authority. Erling soon inspires other boys, particularly a toe-the-line young lad (Trond Nilssen) who is close to his long-awaited release but is now stirred to action by Erling's example. Also starring Stellan Skarsgård as the clueless camp governor, this is more than just another juvenile-prison horror tale thanks to good performances all around, a mesmerizing if bleak environment, and surprising story twists. Recommended. (T. Keogh)