Hour of the Wolf (1968)
Bergman really puts Ullmann through a lot. This psychological horror predates The Shining by more than 10 years with a similar exploration of isolation and an artist losing their mind. All shot in stunning black and white.
Max von Sydow plays the closed up frustrated artist, but as seems to be a recurring thing with Bergman films, it is through the women the real story is told. It reminded me a bit of Jennifer Lawrence’s character in mother! with how she clearly wants to support her husband, but also finding him absent in their own relationship.
I am still struggling when Bergman goes heavy on the symbolism and the portrayal of the themes explored loses a bit of the personal touch in the process. But again it is Ullmann’s performance that shines the most through.
Rating: 3.5