Sundance Film Festival 2026 – Writer/director Malin Barr‘s short film Sauna Sickness is a riveting thriller that explores an abusive relationship. The Swedish film’s wintery setting underscores cracks within a relationship. That said, despite the snowy setting, the movie isn’t without a dash of dark humor.
The film stars Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Cleo and Adam Lundgren as Tobias. At Tobias’ urging, Cleo decides to spend New Year’s Eve with him at her mother’s remote cabin. After the couple makes love in the sauna, they get locked out of the main house. It’s at this point, quite early in the runtime, when Tobias’ true nature starts to reveal itself. He snaps at Cleo, gaslights her, and makes her think it’s her fault that the trip didn’t go the way he wanted it to go.
For most of the film, we follow Cleo’s perspective and point of view. This can be quite disorienting, since she’s in an unhealthy relationship with an emotionally manipulative person. Yet, as the runtime progresses, she slowly wakes up. The short straddles the line of a thriller because it’s unclear who exactly Cleo can trust. Tobias is an absolute jerk, but when Cleo seeks the help of neighbors, a couple played by Magnus Krepper and Sanna Krepper, they continually try to get her to drink and stay a while, instead of offering her a phone so she can call for help. Yet, it’s unclear if they’re being friendly, since it’s New Year’s Eve, or if they have other intentions. Again, the movie is primarily from Cleo’s rattled perspective.
Ultimately, the short builds to a satisfying conclusion. Cleo undergoes quite the character transformation, but it’s a gradual process, even for a film that’s only 15 minutes long. The ending feels warranted and unrushed.
Sauna Sickness is an effective and compelling thriller. The Swedish film successfully uses a winter setting to highlight a relationship that’s devoid of love and compassion. This isn’t a movie with any supernatural elements. Instead, the real monster is Cleo’s boyfriend who wants to maintain his emotional manipulation and control over her. This short also explores the shifting power dynamics within a relationship, while immersing viewers in Cleo’s perspective.
