User Reviews

This movie could have been really exciting. What if they kept the bodies in a coma for human spareparts? What if there were a sinister purpose with "helping" people to die? But..... Instead the producer tried to make it artsy and intellectual! Its a long boring tale that gets nowhere... There is no point... There is no purpose... Two scenes are good though...... The two attempted suicide scenes with Nikolaj :D

Greetings again from the darkness. Euthanasia, 'Dignity in Death' or assisted suicide. Whatever you prefer to call it, those against the idea have likely never been in the situation where medical treatment provides no hope. Max Isaksen (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, "Game of Thrones") is an Insurance Investigator. After his most recent scan, the doctor informs him that his brain tumor is growing and surgery is not an option. His bodily functions will slowly and mercilessly dissolve until death takes him.

Max is a non-descript kind of guy. The usually dashing Coster-Waldau is hidden behind old style wire-rimmed glasses and a mustache. He's happily married, but can't bring himself to tell his lovely wife Laerke (Tuva Novotny, ANNIHILATION, 2018) about the tumor or his inner thoughts. He's frustrated that the special diet and app monitor didn't 'save' him, so now he's suffering with speech issues, headaches, and other ailments that serve as a reminder of the ultimate outcome.

While working with one of his clients, Max learns about the choice her husband made - Hotel Aurora, which promises "a beautiful ending." It's an enterprise that excels in secrecy and efficiency. Their sales pitch is an end to life that fulfills your fantasy. Just know that once you execute the agreement, there is no changing your mind. Instead, you are immediately given a sedative and put on a private plane where you are whisked away to the Danish-modern hotel in a remote, stunning setting. Support work is provided by Kate Ashfield (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, 2004) as the fake mother, and Jan Bijovet as Frank, the director of Aurora.

Denmark-born director Jonas Alexander Arnby and writer Rasmus Birch worked together on WHEN ANIMALS DREAM (2014) and here they explore an existential question about life and death, and whose choice it is. There is also the question of saying goodbye to loved ones and choosing the terms at the end. It's a somber story that twists reality and dreams, and we can't help but find some similarities to Yorgos Lanthimos' THE LOBSTER (2015), although that one was infinitely more bizarre. There are a couple of moments of levity - such as asking for tips on tying a noose, and we do learn that Poppy Tea tastes best with lemon. Speaking of beverages, I lost count at the number of scenes featuring wine, juice, water or some other ingestible liquid. Sometimes it's a bonding experiencing with a toast, while other times, it's a biological need. Whatever the reason, taking a sip is somehow tied into the circle of life. As The Eagles sang in "Hotel California", 'you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." Welcome to the Aurora, where we never have to ask, 'how was your stay?'

I was amazed that this work of cinematic art has received so little attention. It might be the subject - terminal cancer - which is not a prime suspect for easily entertaining a crowd as any realistic confrontation with death tends to be depressing. However I did not find this film depressing. It might also be that films with surreal elements have a hard time with audiences that expect all things to be at face value, without riddles or elements that are not spelled out completely and leave room for the viewer's imagination. Personally I loved the mixture of subdued thriller and Eastern European type surrealism in a scifi setting of films like Ex Machina.

The main character finds himself in a maze of conflicting feelings and impressions leading to something that could be very possibly his death. He achieves this by going to a hotel that claims to make death as pleasant as possible, with everything happening according to your individual wish. For the dramatic room neighbor of the protagonist this is a very dramatic death. For the main character it is a surreal get together with his wife that resolves open issues. The depiction of dying in this movie was creative and beautiful in a very original way.

This is not mass market material and it does not have to, in order to tell a profound and captivating story. Loved the cinematography, nature / setting...it seems just out of this world and reminded me of the later alien movies - Mysterious and hauntingly beautiful. Nothing wrong with the narrative, slow indeed, but it's about suicide, feeling lost and dealing with your last days alive - so what's to rush? This said, a bit more streamlined and less dream sequences would have helped. Ps: Original score.

Very interesting topic that's for sure, imagine having a terminal illness and wanting to end on your own terms. Everyone should have that right, but no, most places in the world do not allow you to finish your own life. This movie poses a unique possibility to go to an amazing place and have your fantasies come true and end on your own terms, But you better not change your mind, or they will hunt you with a sniper rifle!!!! I saw similarities to The Lobster in a lot of ways, although the different time periods in the film seem thrown together and you sometimes don't know what's going on. It was still a really interesting ride though, and makes you think about life, death and terminal illness, depressing, but real,