‘The Cannibal’: Gustaf Skarsgård to Explore Ingmar Bergman’s Demons in New Psychological Horror Film

Gustaf Skarsgård is stepping behind the camera for his feature directorial debut with The Cannibal, an upcoming psychological horror film inspired by the demons and legacy of legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.

Best known for playing Floki in the historical drama series Vikings, Skarsgård comes from one of Hollywood’s most recognizable acting families. His brothers include Alexander Skarsgård (Infinity Pool, True Blood) and Bill Skarsgård (IT, Barbarian).

Written by Peter Birro, The Cannibal follows a troubled screenwriter whose search for inspiration takes him to Bergman’s former estate on the Swedish island of Fårö.

What Is The Cannibal About?

The film centers on David, a screenwriter suffering through a creative crisis. Desperate to find inspiration for a screenplay about Ingmar Bergman’s life, David returns to Fårö, where he previously spent time as Bergman’s guest two decades earlier.

David believes revisiting the island and reflecting on his disturbing conversations with the legendary filmmaker will finally help him complete his screenplay.

Instead, he discovers something far more sinister.

A demonic presence appears to be haunting the island, and whatever is lurking there seems determined to stop David from finishing his work.

Ardalan Esmaili (The Charmer) plays David, while Claes Ljungmark (Borg vs McEnroe) portrays Bergman.

Gustaf Skarsgård Takes on Ingmar Bergman’s Legacy

Skarsgård’s directorial debut is particularly ambitious given Bergman’s enormous influence on cinema and psychological horror.

The Swedish filmmaker is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in film history and is often cited as a major influence on psychological and folk horror. Bergman’s work frequently explored existential dread, identity, mortality, and the terrifying consequences of a mind beginning to unravel.

His films Hour of the Wolf and The Virgin Spring have been particularly influential within the horror genre.

The Virgin Spring famously influenced Wes Craven, who drew inspiration from the film when making his 1972 directorial debut The Last House on the Left. Meanwhile, the surreal imagery and folkloric horror of Hour of the Wolf have influenced filmmakers including David Cronenberg, who has cited the movie as an influence on The Fly.

Hour of the Wolf is also considered part of Bergman’s so-called Fårö trilogy, alongside Shame and The Passion of Anna.

The Cannibal Filming on Fårö

Production is currently underway on the Swedish island of Fårö, including locations surrounding Bergman’s former estate. The production has received permission from the Bergman Estate on Fårö Foundation to film in the area.

For Skarsgård, making a movie about Bergman’s influence means confronting the filmmaker’s enormous cinematic shadow while attempting to create something that ultimately stands on its own.

“There is no way to approach Bergman, but from deep within the gigantic cinematic shadow the titan casts.”

Skarsgård explained that, much like David is attempting to escape Bergman’s influence, the film itself will attempt to break free from that influence by using Bergman’s own artistic language in unexpected ways.

Birro also has a deeply personal connection to the project. The screenwriter met Bergman on Fårö when he was young and says the filmmaker once spoke to him about his own demons.

“For 30 years, I’ve been longing to open that freezer door and let the demons out. Now the time has come.”

With The Cannibal, Skarsgård is turning Bergman’s legacy, his mysterious island home, and the filmmaker’s fascination with psychological darkness into the foundation for a new horror story.

The Cannibal does not yet have a release date.