Hour of the Wolf is a Swedish psychological horror film directed by Ingmar Bergman, released in 1968. The movie stars Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann, two frequent collaborators of Bergman's films. The film portrays the story of an artist named Johan Borg, who moves to a remote island with his wife Alma to escape the city and focus on his work. However, Johan's mental state starts to deteriorate under the pressure of past traumas and artistic frustrations.
Johan begins to experience vivid nightmares and hallucinations, where he encounters a group of bizarre and menacing characters. These characters represent different aspects of Johan's psyche, including his fears, anxieties, and repressed desires. As the movie progresses, Johan becomes increasingly obsessed with his own demons, and his behavior becomes erratic and unpredictable. Alma, who is also struggling with her own personal issues, tries to support Johan but feels increasingly isolated and helpless.
The film's title refers to an old myth that claims that the "hour of the wolf" is the time between midnight and dawn, when most people are asleep and nightmares are more likely to occur. The movie's eerie and atmospheric setting, coupled with Bergman's characteristic use of close-ups and introspective monologues, creates a sense of claustrophobia and dread throughout the film. Hour of the Wolf is often regarded as one of Bergman's most experimental and enigmatic works, and it has been praised for its complex exploration of the human psyche and the nature of art.
