NO REST FOR THE WICKED is a Gothic Vampire Horror-Drama mixed with a Queer Love Story. A great combination that I enjoyed even more than I expected. Yes, it’s slow-burn, but that only heightens the intensity of the storyline. Read our full No Rest for the Wicked movie review here!
NO REST FOR THE WICKED is a new genre-hybrid that manages to deliver a character-driven plot set in a profoundly atmospheric place. Not only does it play out two centuries ago, the setting actually makes it feel like we’re even further removed from our modern day.
No English is spoken in this movie, nor does it need to be. First, because it just would not make sense (not that this ever stopped anyone, unfortunately), but second, because words won’t mean nearly as much as actions. In this genre-hybrid, the actions and reactions of the characters will speak volumes. Good and bad alike.
It’s already been compared to Céline Sciamma’s breathtaking French movie Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Now, that movie is among my all-time favorite movies, and I wouldn’t say this Danish Gothic love story reaches the same level. However, I definitely recommend watching it.
Continue reading our No Rest for the Wicked movie review below. It’s world-premiering at Fantasia 2026.
Life on the Faroe Islands in 1862
No Rest for the Wicked plays out in 1862 on the Faroe Islands. This is where Baldur (newcomer Egor Venned) lives the life of a fisherman. Not so much by choice as because it’s the only job available and catching fish means putting food on the table.
The Faroe Islands are quite isolated, and even more so in 1862, with their location far to the north in the Atlantic Ocean. Sure, you could leave with a ship that comes by, but for Baldur, this would mean leaving his mother behind alone. His father has already passed, so she is desperately in need of her son now.
Still, Baldur’s whole world is turned upside down when a stranger arrives. His name is Helge (Pilou Asbæk), and he is from Denmark. The rugged whaler immediately awakens emotions previously hidden deep inside Baldur. And the feeling is mutual, so the attraction is quick to grow, and they cannot help but act on it.
Then, in classic romantic LGBTQ+ storytelling style, tragedy strikes. As a result, their intense (but forbidden) love ends up unleashing forces that scare the villagers with bloody and mystical force. Can the villagers fight this power, or will Baldur and Helge prevail… in this life or the next?!
Interview with the Vampire meets Brokeback Mountain
While this story plays out in 1862 in the remote and isolated Faroe Islands, we’re still getting a queer love story. Yes, spoiler, we’ve always been here. As also revealed by mythology and stories from virtually every single part of the world. Even if erasure has been attempted, it just never quite worked.
Anyway, the easy comparison for No Rest for the Wicked would be to say it’s Interview with the Vampire combined with Brokeback Mountain. Obviously, it’s not a direct comparison, but when watching this queer gothic vampire love story, you should recognize why I mention them.
For the record, this has much less of the action-fueled Interview with the Vampire and much more of the slow-burn yearning of Brokeback Mountain. And yet, there is that supernatural and very blood-soaked twist.
More than anything, this is a love story. Everything that happens stems from the undying love between two people who have just found each other and refuse to let go. Despite the efforts of everyone else in the village.
No Rest for the Wicked is getting its World Premiere at Fantasia 2026
Kasper Kalle is the director of No Rest for the Wicked, which he also co-wrote with screenwriter Rasmus Birch (When Animals Dream). This is a movie we have been looking forward to ever since we first heard about it. Not just because of the gothic plot with a vampiric element, but also due to the cast and LGBTQ love story.
We put it on our list of the 7 movies we’re most excited for at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival. And yes, this genre-bending horror love story is getting its world premiere at Fantasia 2026. To me, this seems like the perfect place for it to first meet the world.
Soon, No Rest for the Wicked will also be screening at various other film festivals worldwide. Keep your eyes open for any screenings near you. If you’re a fan of dark love stories set in a gothic fairytale universe with a solid touch of folklore, this could be a real treat for you. It certainly was for me!
No Rest for the Wicked is world-premiering at Fantasia on July 22, 2026.
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Plot
1862. Baldur lives a fisherman’s life on the isolated Faroe Islands far to the north in the Atlantic Ocean. His world is turned upside down when a stranger arrives: Helge, a rugged whaler, who awakens deep emotions within him. A mutual attraction starts to grow. When tragedy strikes, their forbidden passion unleashes mystical forces so disturbing that the villagers rally to keep evil at bay. But Baldur and Helge refuse to let their love be buried. They will fight till the end – and after.
Details
Directed by: Kasper Kalle
Written by: Rasmus Birch, Kasper Kalle
Cast: Egor Venned, Pilou Asbæk, Sofia Nolsøe, Héloïse Volle, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson
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