Rediscover The White Reindeer: 1952 Folk-Horror That Reimagines Vampirism as Arctic Witchcraft
The White Reindeer is a 1952 Finnish folk-horror film that mixes Sámi folklore, witchcraft, and an unusual take on vampirism. Moreover, it returned to wider attention after a 4K restoration began circulating in 2017, and it remains available on several streaming and rental services.
What is The White Reindeer?
The White Reindeer (Finnish: Valkoinen peura) was written by Mirjami Kuosmanen and Erik Blomberg, and directed by Erik Blomberg. It was filmed almost entirely on location in the Arctic region of Sápmi, which is home to the Sámi people. The movie runs for 68 minutes and was shot in black and white.
Plot in brief
In the film’s opening, a prophecy foretells that a newborn Sámi girl will become a witch. Later, the woman Piriti (played by Mirjami Kuosmanen) is married to a roaming reindeer herder and seeks help from a local shaman. After a love ritual goes wrong, Piriti becomes a shape-shifting, blood-sucking being that appears as a white reindeer and preys on men.
Style and performance
The film combines documentary-style footage of Sámi life with highly stylized, Gothic imagery. In particular, it contrasts the blinding whiteness of Arctic snow with near-black visual tableaux, using the low Arctic sun to create a persistent liminal half-light.
Additionally, critics and historians have noted that the movie’s expressionist visual approach has drawn comparisons to silent-era filmmakers such as F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang. Kuosmanen’s performance is central; she plays Piriti with a mix of restraint and intense feeling, and the story is told largely from her point of view.
Awards and restoration
The film won prizes at Cannes and at the Golden Globes in its original release period. In 2017, a 4K restoration of The White Reindeer began circulating, which helped reintroduce the film to new audiences.
Runtime and pacing
At 68 minutes, the movie is relatively short. However, it uses a sparse storytelling style and deliberate pacing. Consequently, some viewers describe the tempo as slow, while others appreciate the film’s dreamlike, ambiguous atmosphere.
Where to watch
The White Reindeer is available on several streaming and rental platforms. For example, you can stream it on Shudder, on Tubi, and on Hoopla. In addition, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video.
If you prefer a physical disc and can play region-locked releases, there is a U.K. edition available from Eureka.
