Gustaf Skarsgård Makes Directorial Debut With Bergman-Inspired Meta Horror ‘The Cannibal’

Written by acclaimed screenwriter Peter Birro (Easy Money, 438 Days), The Cannibal (Kannibalen på Fårö) is a boundary-pushing Bergman-inspired meta-horror exploring the psychological cost of artistic obsession and creation. The film marks Gustaf Skarsgård (Vikings, Westworld) feature directorial debut and was recently presented during Film i Väst’s press conference at the Cannes Film Festival. It will be released in Swedish cinemas in 2027 by Scanbox Entertainment.

The film blends psychological drama, dark comedy, and horror in a multi-layered narrative about the cost of artistic creation and the blurred line between inspiration and obsession. Set on the island of Fårö, closely associated with Ingmar Bergman, The Cannibal follows a screenwriter whose encounter with his artistic idol begins to consume his reality in increasingly nightmarish ways.

According to the filmmakers, the story unfolds across several narrative layers: as a personal drama about emotional collapse following a devastating loss, as a reflection on the sacrifices required to create art, and as a metafictional exploration of filmmaking itself, specifically the act of making a film about Bergman. At its core, however, it is also described as a darkly humorous horror story shaped by the aesthetic and psychological echoes of Bergman’s cinematic universe.

Screenwriter Peter Birro describes the project as deeply personal, tracing its origins back to his childhood encounter with Bergman’s work.

“I was eight years old when I saw Bergman’s Hour of the Wolf on television and was almost scared to death,” Birro said. “I didn’t understand anything about the artist’s struggle with his demons—but I felt it in my body, and I became obsessed with film. Many years later I started writing a script about Bergman, believing the inspiration was on Fårö. But there I felt the heavy shadow of the master, gave up, went home, and instead wrote a film about a writer brave enough to confront him. It is a privilege to have Gustaf Skarsgård directing it.”

Peter Birro, Writer

In the film, the screenwriter David finds himself face to face with his idol Ingmar Bergman, an encounter that quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare that begins to overtake his entire existence. David is played by Ardalan Esmaili (The Helicopter Heist), while Bergman is portrayed by Claes Ljungmark (Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes), both acclaimed Swedish actors with strong festival credentials.

For Skarsgård, who is stepping behind the camera for the first time on a feature film, the project arrived after years of searching for the right material.

“I have long wanted to direct a feature film, but I never found material that truly resonated with me,” Skarsgård said. “When Birro brought me this script, I immediately felt it in my gut that this was the one I had to make. It is a frightening tribute to creative freedom and imagination. I am also very happy to have found Ardalan Esmaili to lead the film, and Claes Ljungmark, who will deliver a Bergman that is both visceral and electrifying.”

Gustav Skarsgård, Director

The project is backed by Scanbox Entertainment, which highlights the collaboration between two of Sweden’s most recognisable film names as a key creative draw.

The Cannibal is produced by Martin Persson and Anagram, part of STUDIO TF1, in co-production with Just Republic (Finland), Tall & Small (Denmark), Sveriges Television, Film i Väst, and Gotlands Filmfond, with support from the Swedish Film Institute. Principal photography is set to take place in Fårö and Västra Götaland during the autumn.

Scanbox describes the film as a bold addition to its slate of Nordic cinema aimed at broad audiences while maintaining strong artistic ambition. The company notes that the project aligns with its ongoing focus on distinctive regional storytelling with international appeal.

Keep all your investments in one place with

The Dividend Tracker