TThis Swedish black comedy about social awkwardness is ruthlessly directed by first-time feature director Ernst de Geer for maximum audience discomfort, and the cringe factor is high. Some scenes are so excruciating that it would be worse to watch someone have their fingernails removed with pliers. In Hypgnosis, Asta Kamma August and Herbert Nordrum play Vera and Andre, a married couple in their 30s who are the founders of an app that tracks the reproductive health of women in the developing world. In smart knitwear and limited edition trainers, the pair are likeable enough for start-up entrepreneurs, but it’s easy to see that Andre has the upper hand over the quieter Vera.
Things start to take a turn when Vera goes to see a hypnotherapist to help her quit smoking, right before a big pitch event where the two are competing with other apps in front of wealthy investors. During the session, Vera’s hypnotherapist gently reminds her that she seems to be holding back her true self and that she should listen more to her inner child. Something switches in Vera and she loses all her social inhibitions instantly and in a way that I found completely unbelievable.
At first, André is pleased that his girlfriend’s confidence has been restored after she’s achieved great success and stood up to her very critical mother. But then Vera becomes rebellious. At a presentation event, she displays a frank and outspoken attitude that catches the attention of her boss, Julian, an irritating yoga master played by David Fukamachi-Regnos. (A neat lampooning of tech-industry conceit.) From here, Vera’s behavior becomes odd and downright rude: she wanders around with an imaginary Chihuahua, leans over the bar to pour drinks, and then insults the investors.
All of this was extremely embarrassing for Andre, and his social awkwardness became more and more noticeable. I watched with folded hands as he tried desperately to protect Vera and curry favor with investors. Instead of laughing, I cringed.
