Gustaf Skarsgård’s The Cannibal Begins Production

Gustaf Skarsgård’s The Cannibal has started production on Fårö, putting the actor behind the camera for his feature directorial debut and directly inside the shadow of Ingmar Bergman.

Variety reports that production began Tuesday on the Swedish island and will continue through late November. Written by Peter Birro, the psychological horror film follows a screenwriter in creative crisis who returns to Fårö looking for inspiration for a movie about Bergman.

Gustaf Skarsgård’s The Cannibal Starts Filming on Fårö

Gustaf Skarsgård’s The Cannibal is filming in and around Bergman’s estate with access granted by the Bergman Estate on Fårö Foundation, as well as in western Sweden. That location is more than a backdrop. The story turns the filmmaker himself into part of the screenwriter’s increasingly nightmarish experience.

Ardalan Esmaili plays the struggling writer, David, while Claes Ljungmark portrays Bergman. Film i Väst describes the movie as a mix of drama, meta-filmmaking, dark humor and horror, with Bergman functioning as both a creative genius and a kind of demon hanging over the story.

The Cannibal Mixes Bergman With Psychological Horror

The project was announced earlier this year, but the start of production makes this a more concrete step forward. Skarsgård is best known as an actor from projects including Vikings and Westworld; The Cannibal marks his first feature as director.

Film i Väst lists Anagram as producer, with several Scandinavian partners attached and Scanbox Entertainment handling distribution. A Swedish theatrical release is planned for 2027. No international release date has been announced.

Sources: Variety, Film i Väst