Cleanse Poster

Cleanse 2020

14 min📅 2020-08-01

In *Cleanse* (2020), Swedish director SaraKlara Hellström delivers a chilling, claustrophobic horror short that traps its characters—and audiences—in a nightmarish scenario.

Director: SaraKlara Hellström

Cast

Rakel Wärmländer
Rakel Wärmländer
Stina
Charlie Banjac Ivarsson
Mateus
Eva Hedling
Elin Rosenlind
Wilma
Jonathan Sand
Jonathan Sand
Man

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cleanse (2020) about?

Cleanse (2020) centers on Stina and her young son Mateus, who become trapped in a bathhouse locker room after the staff mysteriously vanish. As they wait for help, the pair grapple with rising paranoia, unsure if they're truly alone or if something unseen is lurking nearby. The confined setting heightens the film's unsettling atmosphere.

Who directed Cleanse?

Cleanse was directed by SaraKlara Hellström, a Swedish filmmaker known for her ability to craft intense, atmospheric stories with minimal dialogue.

Who stars in Cleanse?

The film stars Rakel Wärmländer as Stina, alongside Charlie Banjac Ivarsson as her son Mateus, Eva Hedling, Elin Rosenlind, and Jonathan Sand in key roles.

Is Cleanse (2020) worth watching?

As a short horror film, Cleanse (2020) excels in tension and atmosphere, making it a compelling watch for fans of psychological horror. Its tight pacing and creative use of setting deliver a punch despite its brief runtime. If you enjoy horror that relies on dread over gore, this short is worth your time.

How long is Cleanse?

Cleanse has a runtime of 14 minutes.

About Cleanse (2020) — A mother's worst nightmare unfolds in a locked bathhouse horror short

In *Cleanse* (2020), Swedish director SaraKlara Hellström delivers a chilling, claustrophobic horror short that traps its characters—and audiences—in a nightmarish scenario. The film follows Stina, played by Rakel Wärmländer, and her young son Mateus as they find themselves locked inside a deserted bathhouse locker room. To their horror, the staff vanish without a trace, leaving them stranded with a group of other women. As the minutes tick by, paranoia sets in, and the once-familiar space transforms into a suffocating prison of uncertainty.

With its tight 14-minute runtime, *Cleanse* (2020) thrives on tension rather than cheap scares, exploring themes of isolation and the fragility of human connections when faced with the unknown. Hellström's direction amplifies the dread, using the bathhouse's steamy, echoing corridors to create an atmosphere of creeping unease. The film's minimalist approach makes it a standout entry in the horror genre, leaving viewers questioning what lurks beyond the locked door.