Is As We're Told Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2017, As We're Told represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Documentary category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into "It's simple! We do as we're told. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Documentary are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: ""It's simple! We do as we're told." This disconcerting reply comes from a Swedish employment office employee when asked how the country’s most unpopular government agency works. And that’s not all: in this creative documentary, case workers, receptionists and psychologists reveal how the Swedish employment system is failing. They complain about inadequate software and mystifying error messages, excessive caseloads and demoralizing results—on average, each case worker helps just 10 people find work each year, and only one in 10 clients will find a new job. To assure the anonymity of the interviewees, they're all represented by cardboard puppets. Thanks to visible puppeteers, expressive eyes and recognizable gestures, these puppets quickly take on the appearance of real people. The result is a fascinating, comical and artistic study of human strategies to get along in an irrational bureaucracy."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The performance by Nils Dernevik is nothing short of transformative, providing an emotional anchor that tethers the film's more abstract concepts to a relatable human experience. Nils Dernevik captures the nuance of the script with a performance that will likely define their career for years to come.

The direction by Erik Holmström is marked by a bold and uncompromising hand. Technically, the film is a tour de force. The cinematography makes exceptional use of light and shadow, creating a visual language that mirrors the character's internal journey. The soundscape is equally impressive, with a score that is both haunting and celebratory, perfectly aligned with the thematic progression of the plot. The pacing, over its 28 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is As We're Told truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Documentary, then this is a mandatory viewing experience, a film that will haunt your thoughts long after you leave the theater.

The film's ability to transcend its genre labels is why it has earned its 9/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, As We're Told explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Erik Holmström respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, As We're Told is a rare gem that rewards the audience's attention with a profound and lasting impact. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Nils Dernevik or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, As We're Told is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.