Filip Berg
Conny
Overview
Wrongfully convicted of murder, a clumsy electronics salesman faces police corruption and criminal conspiracies in an attempt to prove his innocence.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Art of Looking Like Someone You’re Not
There’s a moment in Trouble where Filip Berg’s Conny, a wrongfully imprisoned electronics salesman, stands in front of a prison mirror, adjusting a pilot’s cap that isn’t his. The cap is too big, the uniform too crisp, the whole charade too absurd—and yet, for a fleeting second, he looks like he belongs in it. That’s the film in a nutshell: a story about the masks we wear, the roles we’re mistaken for, and the desperate, often ridiculous lengths we go to in order to keep up the illusion.
Jon Holmberg’s 2024 remake of the 1988 Swedish cult classic Strul is a chaotic, tonally restless beast, swinging between slapstick comedy and crime thriller with the grace of a drunk acrobat. It shouldn’t work. And yet, there’s something oddly compelling about its refusal to settle into any one genre, much like its protagonist’s refusal to accept the role he’s been handed.
The premise is pure farce: Conny, a mild-mannered salesman, is framed for murder and sent to prison, where his fellow inmates mistake him for a pilot—the profession of his ex-wife’s new boyfriend. What follows is a series of escalating misunderstandings, each more ludicrous than the last, as Conny leans into the lie in a bid to survive prison, clear his name, and maintain his relationship with his daughter. It’s The Fugitive meets Airplane!, if Airplane! were directed by someone who’d had one too many cups of strong Swedish coffee.
The film’s greatest strength is Berg’s performance, which carries the entire enterprise on its shoulders. Conny is a man out of his depth, flailing in a world of criminals and corrupt cops, but Berg plays him with a kind of wide-eyed sincerity that makes him impossible to dislike. There’s a scene early on where Conny, fresh to prison, tries to blend in by mimicking the swagger of the inmates around him.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.7/10
"A chaotic but entertaining Swedish crime-comedy with a standout lead performance, though its absurd premise wears thin for some."
Filip Berg’s portrayal of Conny, a wrongfully imprisoned salesman mistaken for a pilot, earns praise for its comedic timing and charm, making the film’s far-fetched plot more enjoyable. However, the over-the-top premise and uneven pacing leave some viewers feeling the humor and story lack depth, latestnetflix.com contends, with supporting characters often underdeveloped or forgettable.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performance Filip Berg’s comedic and physical acting carries the film, making Conny a likable and engaging protagonist.
- Entertaining premise The absurd setup of a salesman mistaken for a pilot in prison provides plenty of laughs and unexpected twists.
- Unique tone The blend of crime, comedy, and drama stands out in the Swedish film landscape, offering something different from typical genre fare.
Common complaints
- Over-the-top plot The far-fetched premise and chaotic situations stretch believability, making it hard for some to fully invest in the story.
- Uneven pacing The film’s energy fluctuates, with some scenes feeling rushed while others drag, disrupting the flow.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including the criminals and Conny’s family, lack depth and often feel like caricatures rather than fully realized characters.
Recommended for
Swedish comedy fans Filip Berg admirers Light crime-comedy lovers Jon Holmberg enthusiasts Quirky prison movies fans
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Trouble (2024): A Swedish Dark Comedy with a Star-Studded Cast
Jon Holmberg’s Trouble (2024) has quietly become one of Sweden’s most talked-about films of the year, blending dark comedy with crime thriller elements in a way that’s both chaotic and sharply observed. Originally titled Strul in Swedish, the movie marks Holmberg’s latest foray into genre-bending storytelling, following his previous work in indie and arthouse cinema. With a runtime of 98 minutes and a genre tag that straddles "dramatic comedy" and "crime, latestnetflix.com contends," Trouble promises a ride that’s equal parts absurd and gripping—but what’s the real story behind its making?
A Cast of Swedish Heavyweights
The film boasts an ensemble of some of Sweden’s most recognizable actors, many of whom have worked across film, TV, and theater. Leading the pack is Filip Berg, known for his roles in The Hunt (2012) and The Snowman (2017), who likely anchors the film’s dramatic core. Amy Deasismont, a former child star turned versatile actress (seen in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo prequel series), and Eva Melander (Border, 2018) bring serious dramatic chops, while Måns Nathanaelson (The Bridge) and Joakim Sällquist add comedic and menacing energy, respectively.
The supporting cast is no less impressive, featuring Björn Skifs, a Swedish music and acting legend, and Sissela Benn, a comedian and TV personality who’s likely responsible for some of the film’s lighter moments. With such a stacked lineup, Trouble seems designed to balance tone—dark enough to satisfy crime fans but quirky enough to keep it from feeling like a straight thriller 
.
Genre-Blending Risks and Mixed Reception
Trouble’s biggest gamble is its tonal tightrope walk. Described as a "dramatic comedy" and "crime" film, it’s unclear how seamlessly these elements mesh—or if the film leans too hard into one at the expense of the other. Early audience reactions on SensCritique suggest the balance isn’t perfect: the movie holds a 5.7/10 rating based on 150 votes, with some viewers praising its ambition while others find it uneven .
The lack of widespread critical coverage (as of now, Rotten Tomatoes only lists the film without aggregated scores) means Trouble hasn’t yet broken out internationally . That said, its premise—a chaotic, character-driven crime story—feels ripe for cult appeal, especially among fans of Scandinavian dark comedies like The Square (2017) or Force Majeure (2014). If the film’s humor lands, it could find a second life on streaming platforms.
Jon Holmberg’s Vision: What We Know (and Don’t)
Holmberg’s directorial style remains something of a mystery to international audiences, but his filmography suggests a preference for offbeat, character-driven narratives. Trouble appears to be his most high-profile project yet, given its star power and genre ambitions. However, with no behind-the-scenes interviews or production details surfacing in the available evidence, it’s hard to say what inspired the story or how the shoot unfolded.
One unconfirmed rumor (not backed by the provided sources) suggests the film was shot in and around Gothenburg, a city known for its gritty, cinematic atmosphere. If true, the setting could play a key role in the film’s aesthetic, but without official confirmation, this remains speculative.
The Verdict: A Film Worth Watching—If You Can Find It
Trouble’s biggest challenge might be visibility. With limited international distribution and no major festival buzz (yet), it’s a film that could easily slip under the radar. But for fans of Swedish cinema or darkly comedic crime stories, it’s worth keeping an eye on—especially if streaming platforms pick it up.
For now, the best bet is to check TMDB for updates or wait for word-of-mouth to build. If the cast’s chemistry delivers, Trouble could be the kind of under-the-radar gem that surprises audiences .
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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