Gleefully unhinged, The Columnist is a dark and very funny satire that is also a stark reminder of the internet’s number one rule: never read the comments.

Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. Disgruntled columnist Femke Boot (Katja Herbers, Westworld) makes that abundantly clear in this satirical revenge comedy about the pitfalls of social media obsession.

Femke is plagued day and night with death threats and vitriol from internet trolls, with the comments arriving in droves, as she obsesses over every one of them to avoid her looming book deadlines. However, when the man next door joins in on the digital harassment, this kindhearted single mother becomes a ruthless serial killer, and strangely, her writing is improved—even as Anna (Claire Porro), her rebellious teenage daughter, conducts a high school campaign for free speech.

Her brimming rage turns to action and the subsequent high is so thrilling, that she will not be abandoning her grisly new hobby anytime soon. Equipped with hate in her heart and a bag full of gardening tools, Femke throws morals and caution to the wind in her bloody quest to give online bullies what they deserve.

Screened in Dutch with English subtitles.

Ivo van Aart   |  Netherlands  |  2019  |  86 mins.