🇩🇰 Equinox 🇩🇰
Equinox is a Danish Netflix Original production drama (30 December, 2020) mystery, thriller. 6 x 41-52 min episodes. Danish with English subtitles and dubbing available. 15 Cert U.K.
Premise:
“Haunted by visions after her sister vanished with her classmates 21 years before, Astrid begins an investigation that uncovers the dark, eerie truth.”
Cast:
Danica Curcic as Astrid
Lars Brygmann as Dennis
Karoline Hamm as Ida
Henne Hedelund as Lene
Viola Martinsen as Astrid, 9 years old
Fanny Bornedal as Amelia
August Carter as Jakob
Ask Truelsen as Falke
Alexandre Willaume as Henrik
Peder Holm Johansen as Torben
Rasmus Hammerich as Mathias
Crew:
Idea: Tea Lindeburg
Writers: Mette Kruse, Tea Lindsburg, Tue Walin Storm, Andreas Garfield, Jacob Katz Hansen, Bo Mikkelsen and Mje Sjkoldemose
Director: Søren Balle and Mads Matthiesen
Costume: Rikke Simonsen
Notes:
Equinox is based on a podcast by Tea Lindeburg
The legend of Ostara which you might find useful to know about either before, or after, watching:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ä’ostre
In the show Equinox, the legend which helps us understand the ending details the Hare King being madly in love with Ostara during the Equinox.
A couple of useful sources for more details about Ostara etc.
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/ostara/
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ostara.html
Review:
I admit to binge watching this effortlessly over a couple of days. This show has aspects which reminded me a little of Jordskott and Les Revenants, along with the other shows that revolve around the “disappeared” and folklore. It does perhaps show its cards too early in the story but nevertheless retained enough mystery to engage me throughout.
There is a very strong folkloric and pagan aspect to the story which is explained sufficiently through Astrid’s “research” and the bedtime story her father read to her as a child. (More details in Notes above, if needed).
Equinox requires the viewer to be patient and does not go along at a tremendous lick. I enjoyed the reveals and trying to work out what was happening and what had happened with the lead character.
There are a couple of major themes in this series. Mental health, especially that of Astrid but also of some other characters is explored really well. Perhaps it could have done even more to set up a feeling of challenging this in the audience.
Another major theme is dealing with loss. A lot of time is spent looking at the impact of the disappearances (in particular that of Ida) upon those left behind. Some of those are family, others are friends and there’s the impact upon the wider community as a whole. The lasting effects upon those closest to Ida who did not disappear, the “survivors”, if you like, who are destined in some way not to be taken is interesting. There is definitely a display of the varying kinds of survivor guilt, ways of coping (or not) and also the guilt that is apportioned to them by others.
The performances in the show are all extremely good, without a single weak link. Danica Curcic was very impressive as Astrid as was her “younger self”, Viola Martinsen. Of the other supporting cast, Henne Hedelund was fabulous as the “unstable” mother, Lene, and Lars Brygmann as Dennis, the father. Alexandre Willaume was, I thought, outstanding in the range he showed as Henrik.
The editing of this show is truly excellent. Have you ever watched a show where you have struggled to work out what is, or is not, a flashback? There is absolutely no problem when watching his show in that respect. This is down to the seamless, superb editing along with decisions as to costuming and colour palette. The cinematography is another very strong aspect of Equinox, and I particularly liked the “other world” visuals.
Folkloric and pagan storylines are, as previously mentioned, integral to this story. If paganism, related ceremonies and sexual activities are not your “thing”, or if you are unable to suspend your disbelief, then this is probably not a show you will enjoy. It also has a couple of jump scares and there is a strong atmosphere of threat, so bear these in mind also.
The finale does not give full and complete answers to every loose thread and it could be seen as somewhat ambiguous, however I found it to be totally satisfactory. It sits very comfortably within what is often found in traditional folktales and other pagan myths and legends. It reminded me of old ballads such as Thomas the Rhymer.
Overall I really enjoyed this show (I loved the opening credits) and would recommend it, bearing in mind the provisos above.
Trailer:
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