The Swedish Connection 2026 Movie Review Trailer
The Swedish Connection isn't the first film about World War II, and it certainly won't be the last. Countless films, television programs, and books have been made about what happened during that terrible time. Regardless of when you were born, you almost certainly learned about the Nazis' activities back then through some form of media. And, besides feeling disgusted and appalled by everything that happened, I'm sure you've wondered, "How did the world allow this to happen?" To be fair, it's a valid question. How can people who consider themselves good stand idly by as silent spectators while monsters disguised as world leaders attempt to exterminate an entire ethno-religious group?
We wonder why they didn't speak out. Why did some protest while so many others remained silent? How could people sleep at night knowing that innocent lives were being taken every second? Well, the answer is in the present. Leaders of various countries around the world are engaged in some form of ethnocide, genocide, and fascism. Meanwhile, we tell ourselves we should just let our guard down, get to work, feed people, pay the bills, and stay away from "all this political nonsense" because we can't do anything about the mass murders that are happening. Now, while it's futile to try and shake the public's collective conscience, The Swedish Connection is here to try and bring us to our senses.
Directors: Thérèse Ahlbeck, Marcus Olsson
Writers: Thérèse Ahlbeck, Marcus Olsson
Stars: Henrik Dorsin, Sissela Benn, Jonas Karlsson
The Swedish Connection, by Therese Ahlbeck and Marcus Olsson, tells the story of Gösta Engzell, head of the Swedish government's Legal Department during World War II. His subordinates are Rut Vogl, Stina Johansson, Svante Hellstedt, and Magnus Hallonsten. However, due to Sweden's neutral stance during the German invasion of Europe and the general inaction of Cabinet Secretary Staffan Soderström, Foreign Minister Christian Gunther, Immigration Director Robert Paulsson, and Prime Minister Per-Albin Hansson, the legal staff found themselves truly helpless. They had real cases of Swedish Jews arrested and sent to concentration camps, but their hands were tied, which is why they spent most of their time filing official documents and complaining about their overcrowded office.
Only when rumors began to circulate that, in addition to imprisoning Jews, the Nazis intended to exterminate them, did Engzell begin to think. He realized that if he didn't act, the blood of these people would be stained. So, Engzell and his office, along with Claes Westring, the Swedish consul in Oslo, searched for legal loopholes that could be exploited to provide refuge to all the Jews in Sweden. Engzell knows this could cause the Nazis to stop considering his country neutral territory, but he feels that if he doesn't take that risk, he won't be able to look himself in the mirror.
The primary objective of The Swedish Connection is, obviously, to tell the stories of Gösta Engzell and all those who supported him when they undertook the task of saving Jews from being gassed in Nazi concentration camps. As someone who doesn't know these brave souls who spat in the face of fascism regardless of the consequences, yes, this was very educational. Like all films about World War II, the secondary objective of this story is to remind us of the horrors the Nazis inflicted on humanity, thus underscoring that we must never allow this to happen again. Which brings us to the third and probably most important purpose of the film: to motivate government officials to defect, since neutrality in times of extreme fascism is just another way of promoting said fascism. It's easy to say your job is to follow orders, but when those orders involve turning a blind eye to genocide, how can that really be your job? How unstable must your moral compass be to remain silent while innocent men, women, and children are being wiped out? Whatever you gain by staying silent, is it really worth it? Well, these are just some of the questions Ahlbeck and Olsson want you to ponder and act upon while a population on the brink of extinction still has a chance to rebuild.
The Swedish Connection starts strong and maintains its dark comedic tone for the first 30-45 minutes. After that, it loses its momentum and its dark humor, becoming quite generic. I understand why. The subject matter itself is very serious, and you can easily end up irritating the wrong people by inserting jokes into a narrative centered on genocide.
While watching an interview for The Rip, I learned that Netflix has quietly issued certain guidelines (based on its algorithmic analysis) for its creators on how to maximize audience engagement, especially regarding films. If that's what happened here, it's very likely the directing duo tried to project an image of it not being your typical WWII film to hook viewers. By the time you realize it is a typical WWII film, you have no choice but to watch it to the end. That said, the visuals, the attention to detail in the production design, the overall editing, the color grading, and the sound design are top-notch. If it weren't for the competent direction, I don't know if I would have made it to the end credits.
The performances of the entire cast of The Swedish Connection are great. Henrik Dorsin's portrayal of what it means to lead a silent rebellion while constantly on the verge of soiling your pants is truly admirable. Jonas Karlsson's pathetic antagonist will get your blood pumping. Sissela Benn, Marianne Morck, Jonas Malmsjo, and Carl Jacobson are fantastic, and their chemistry with Dorsin is impeccable. Johan Glans, Oscar Toringe, Olle Jansson, Simon Norrthon, Figge Norling, and the rest of the supporting cast are excellent. They are the second reason (the first being the cinematography) why I was so engrossed in this story of resilience and intelligence.
Regardless of my criticisms of The Swedish Connection, I think it's a must-see film for everyone. Well, I'd prefer you confront your local fascist instead of watching a film about fascism. But yes, if you find it difficult and need inspiration and motivation, then go ahead and watch this film. That said, don't click on whatever Netflix throws at you next. Stick with this story, immerse yourself in its themes, draw parallels between what you've seen on screen and real life, and then rebel in whatever way you can. The time for excuses is over, and if we don't act now, someone who sees a movie about what humanity did during the 2020s while bloodthirsty maniacs ravaged country after country will mock us instead of calling us an unsung hero like Gosta Engzell.
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