If you like your movies dark and depressing, look no further than Norway's "Bloody Angels." Directed by first-timer Karin Julsrud, it's a haunting and disturbing look at a small town and the deaths of two young people.

In Hotten, a desolate town in Norway, a young man is found dead. His name is Finken Hartmann and, along with his brother Baste, he has long been suspected to be responsible for the brutal rape and murder of a local girl named Katarina Munch.

The police have no clues as to who killed Finken and they have no proof that the Hartmann brothers killed Katarina. He decides to call in his old friend Nicholas Ramm (Reidar Sorensen) for help. Ramm is a hotshot detective from Oslo.

Ramm encounters a hostile and incompetent police force in Hotten. He immediately clashes with an arrogant and loudmouth officer named Cato (Simon Norrthon), The rest of the town proves to be as unfriendly as the police department. Clearly visitors are not welcome no matter what the circumstances.

While he is investigating the murders, Ramm befriends Niklas Hartmann, the younger brother of Finken and Baste. Niklas is constantly tormented, verbally and physically, by a group of local kids. They are incredibly vicious and cruel and at times it's tough to watch them hound the innocent and kind Niklas.

Most things are not what they seem in the film, and there are some genuine surprises as the conclusion draws near. The ending is especially shocking, though in retrospect probably inevitable.

Set during winter, "Bloody Angels" is shot to look bleak and harsh, which perfectly matches the tone of the film. Masterfully photographed by Philip Ogaard, you'll get the chills just from watching it.

Another asset is the beautiful, melancholy music from Kjetil Bjerkestrand and Magne Furuholmen.

"Bloody Angels" does get a little slow at times, and some parts are awfully strange and don't make much sense, but ultimately it's a well-made and hard to shake mystery that sticks with the viewer long after they leave the theater. It also raises serious questions about bullying and the role of adults in a child's life. Heavy stuff, but very worthwhile.

Grade: A-

"Bloody Angels" opens Fri., May 25.