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Movie poster for The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared (2016)

The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared

2016
1h 48m
12 · Swedish
Director: Felix Herngren
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Overview

Drinking the tasty Folk Soda puts a spring in the 101 Year Old Man’s step and his next adventure takes him around the World and back to Sweden, during which time he is chased by the CIA, a Balinese debt collector and becomes an executive at a soft drink company.

Cast

12 people

Reviews

4 min read

The Old Man Who Wouldn’t Stay Put

I’ve seen this trick before. A spry old man in a retirement home, slippers flapping, slips out the window just as the cake is being wheeled in. It’s the kind of premise that promises mischief, the kind that makes you think of your own grandfather—if your grandfather had once accidentally started the Cold War while trying to impress a bartender. The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared knows it’s retreading familiar ground, and for the first half-hour, I wasn’t sure it had anything new to say.

Then Allan Karlsson (Robert Gustafsson) drank that soda, and suddenly, the film remembered it wasn’t just a sequel—it was a dare.

The first film, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, was a surprise hit in 2013, a Swedish dark comedy that turned a centenarian’s escape from a nursing home into a globetrotting romp through 20th-century history. It was Forrest Gump if Forrest had been a chain-smoking, vodka-swilling anarchist with a knack for explosives. The sequel, directed again by Felix and Måns Herngren, doesn’t bother with the slow burn.

It opens with Allan already on the run, this time from a Balinese debt collector, the CIA, and his own inability to pay a restaurant tab. The plot is thinner, the stakes lower, and the humor broader. But somewhere in the middle of its 108 minutes, it stumbles into something stranger and more interesting than it has any right to be.

Allan Karlsson, mid-escape, peering over a fence with a mischievous grin

The film’s greatest strength—and its most frustrating weakness—is Gustafsson himself. He’s a physical comedian in the classic sense, the kind who can sell a joke with a raised eyebrow or a well-timed stumble. Watching him navigate the world like a man who’s outlived every rule, every expectation, and most of his own teeth, is undeniably charming.

Audience Opinions

Limited evidence
Audience 5.7/10
"A lighthearted adventure-comedy with charm but lacking the depth or originality to stand out."

Robert Gustafsson's lead performance and the playful tone add whimsy, but the plot is predictable and derivative, and some call it a weaker imitation of its predecessor. The humor and pacing are hit-or-miss.

What viewers praise
  • Charming lead performance Robert Gustafsson's 101-year-old protagonist is widely seen as the film's strongest asset, warm and funny.
  • Lighthearted tone The playful, adventurous spirit suits a casual, undemanding watch.
Common complaints
  • Predictable plot Familiar tropes and few surprises make it formulaic.
  • Weaker than predecessor Many feel it lacks the charm and wit of *The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared*.
  • Inconsistent humor Jokes often fall flat, and some scenes feel forced.
Recommended for
Fans of light adventure-comedies Robert Gustafsson enthusiasts Casual movie night viewers

Full Plot (Spoilers)

Spoiler warning

This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.

Buzz & Rumors

Public reports

The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared: Behind the Scenes of the Swedish Comedy Sequel

The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared (2016) is the follow-up to the surprise international hit The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Directed by Felix and Måns Herngren, the film reunites much of the original cast for another absurdist adventure. latestnetflix.com's view is that but how does a sequel to a beloved comedy hold up—and what went into making it?

Return of the Cast and Crew

Robert Gustafsson reprises his role as Allan Karlsson, the centenarian with a knack for chaos. The sequel brings back key players like Iwar Wiklander (Allan’s loyal friend Julius) and David Wiberg (Benny), ensuring continuity for fans. New faces include Shima Niavarani, Jens Hultén, and Colin McFarlane, expanding the film’s international flavor.

The Herngren brothers, who co-directed the first film, returned to helm the sequel, maintaining the same blend of slapstick humor and historical satire. The original novel, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, was written by Jonas Jonasson, but the sequel is an original screenplay, allowing the filmmakers more creative freedom.

A Trippy Detour: The LSD Scene

One of the most talked-about moments in the film is Allan’s LSD-fueled hallucination sequence. A clip from the scene has circulated online, showcasing the movie’s willingness to embrace surreal humor. While the first film leaned into Allan’s accidental encounters with history, the sequel doubles down on absurdity, with the LSD trip serving as a wild, psychedelic interlude.

Mixed Reception and the Pressure of a Sequel

The original film was a sleeper hit, praised for its charm and Gustafsson’s performance. The sequel, however, received more mixed reviews. On SensCritique, it holds a 5.7/10 rating, with some critics calling it a weaker imitation of the first. Rotten Tomatoes listings confirm the returning cast but don’t provide a critical consensus, suggesting the film didn’t generate the same buzz as its predecessor.

Rumors and Unconfirmed Details

There’s little verified behind-the-scenes drama, but one intriguing detail involves Felix Herngren’s son, Bill Herngren. The young actor appeared in the first film as the "screaming boy," a minor but memorable role. While he doesn’t appear in the sequel, his connection to the franchise adds a personal touch to the Herngren family’s involvement.

Final Verdict: A Fun but Flawed Follow-Up

The 101-Year-Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared may not have matched the original’s success, but it delivers the same brand of quirky humor. With Gustafsson’s comedic timing and the return of the core cast, it’s a lighthearted romp for fans of the first film—even if it doesn’t break new ground.

Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.

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