The Trip: A Darkly Funny Horror With Shocking Chaos

The hammer swings through the air, aimed at Lisa’s head, but she’s quicker—zapping Lars with a taser before he can finish the job. This brutal opening to Tommy Wirkola’s The Trip sets the tone for a film that revels in its own chaos. A darkly comedic horror farce about a couple planning mutual murder, it’s a genre-bender that leans into its absurdity while delivering genuine scares and sharp satire.

Wirkola, known for his work on Dead Snow, brings his signature blend of humor and horror to this Norwegian romp. The film follows Lars (Aksel Hennie), a disgruntled soap opera director, and Lisa (Noomi Rapace), an aspiring actress who can’t catch a break. They retreat to a remote lakeside cabin, each harboring secret plans to off the other. But their schemes are derailed when three fugitives—serial killers Petter (Atle Antonsen), Dave (Christian Rubeck), and Roy (André Eriksen)—turn up, turning the couple’s murderous intentions into a fight for survival.

What works best in The Trip is its unapologetic embrace of tonal whiplash. The film zigs when you expect it to zag, blending slapstick humor with genuine terror. A standout moment comes when Lars, Lisa, and their captors engage in a brutal, improvised fight that feels both thrillingly chaotic and darkly funny. Rapace shines here, channeling her trademark intensity into a character who’s equal parts vulnerable and formidable. Hennie, meanwhile, delivers a performance that balances absurdity with pathos, making Lars an unlikely antihero.

The film’s satire of Hollywood also lands with precision. The final act, in which Lars and Lisa spin their survival story into a blockbuster film, is a clever jab at the entertainment industry’s obsession with true crime and self-aggrandizement. It’s a fitting conclusion to a movie that never takes itself too seriously.

That said, The Trip isn’t without its missteps. The pacing stumbles in the middle act, as the fugitives’ backstories are introduced with uneven clumsiness. Some of the humor falls flat, relying on shock value over genuine wit. And while the performances are strong, the supporting cast—particularly the serial killers—lacks depth, making their threat feel more cartoonish than menacing.

Ultimately, The Trip is a wild ride that’s as uneven as it is entertaining. It’s not quite a masterpiece, but it’s a refreshingly bold take on the horror-comedy genre. The film’s strengths lie in its fearless tonal shifts and the standout performances from its leads. Rapace, in particular, brings a magnetic energy to Lisa, making her one of the most compelling characters in recent memory. Hennie is equally impressive, grounding Lars in a way that makes his absurd predicaments feel strangely relatable.

The film’s direction is another highlight. Wirkola’s background in horror serves him well here, as he crafts scenes that are both visually striking and viscerally unsettling. The cabin setting, with its claustrophobic walls and eerie isolation, becomes a character unto itself. The sound design also deserves mention, using silence and sudden bursts of noise to heighten tension.

The Trip is a film that knows exactly what it is: a darkly comedic horror show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a movie for fans of genre-bending thrills, those who enjoy a good laugh at the expense of their protagonists, and anyone looking for a fresh take on the slasher genre. It’s not for the faint of heart or the easily offended, but for those who appreciate a bit of chaos in their cinema, it’s a wild ride worth taking.

In comparison to other films in the horror-comedy genre, The Trip stands out for its willingness to push boundaries. While films like Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland rely on humor to soften their horror, The Trip embraces both tones equally, creating a unique blend that’s as unsettling as it is entertaining. It’s a film that demands attention, rewarding viewers with moments of genuine terror and laughter in equal measure.

Themes of marital strife and the darker side of Hollywood are woven throughout the film, adding depth to what could have been a simple horror romp. The exploration of Lars and Lisa’s relationship is particularly compelling, as it delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and survival. The final act’s satire of Hollywood is a clever twist, subverting expectations and adding an extra layer of meaning to the film.

Ultimately, The Trip is a film that’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s messy, unpredictable, and unapologetically bold. It’s not perfect—some jokes fall flat, some scares feel forced—but it’s a film that takes risks and rewards viewers for their patience.