1884´s Manor by Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, the German pioneer of the modern gay rights movement, is the earliest work of queer literature to feature vampires. Set in the Faroe Islands, the undead/vampiric tale is about a 19-year-old fisherman who rescues another fisherman from drowning, triggering a romantic bond with strange vampiric consequences. It actually preceded the release of Dracula by 13 years.

Fast forward over 140 years later to 2026, and to No Rest For The Wicked, director Kasper Kalle´s pretty faithful retelling of the fabled folk/gothic story, showing as part of Miami´s forthcoming Outshine Film Festival.

We remain in 1862 on the beautiful yet isolated, windswept Faroe Islands, north of the UK and west of Norway. Baldur (Egor Venned) is a very handsome, strapping young sailor who lives a quiet life with his widowed mother, Asla (Sofia Nolsoe). Theirs is a simple, religious life. One day, he is out in his rowing boat when a deep-sea fog rapidly descends, severely reducing visibility. Through the fog, he hears cries for help and moves toward the sound. He runs aground and ends up in the water himself before a burly fellow sailor rescues him, leaving his boat behind. His rescuer, Helge (Pilou Asbaek), is a whaler, temporarily on the islands whilst he waits for a new job on the next passing ship.

Baldur takes Helge home to meet his mother, and the two men slowly connect, despite Baldur’s shy, reticent nature contrasting sharply with Helge’s gregariousness. Baldur´s mum likes him and lets him stay. The next day, Helge helps repair Baldur’s boat. Their friendship eventually turns into a hot yet tender romance, a love they must keep secret from Baldur´s mother and the simple, traditional local islanders. When Helge gets a new job at sea Baldur decides to leave on the boat with him, seeking both a bigger life and a life with his love, much to the distress of his poor mother who fears for his and her survival. Torn between his two loved ones, matters rapidly take a much darker path.

The Faroe Islands are the perfect setting for this intimate queer tale amidst raging seas, forbidding mountains, and dark skies. Life can be harsh and cruel here, and the air is full of oppression. The isolation adds to the angst. Anyone from a minority who grew up in a small community like this will connect. Kalle pulls us in with brooding cinematography, a suitably sparse script, rugged costumes, and excellent casting. There’s a strong body chemistry between Venned and Asbaek and we will their relationship to succeed. Venned is excellent at portraying his emotions without words, or even much facial expression. Asbaek is perfect as Helge, with relaxed confidence. The undead/vampiric themes are metaphors for homosexuality, homophobia, and a disturbed order of life – I can’t say more than that without giving away spoilers. It´s a novel way of presenting queer angst and homophobia, both declared and undeclared, is what I can say, though. The darkness builds throughout the film. Intelligent storytelling that stays true to the original.