The Doll Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Doll Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 31, 2026

Arne Mattsson's "The Doll" (1962) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Klubb Super 8. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with producer and director Mats Helge Olsson; new audio commentary by critics Rickard Gramfors and Joni Havonen; Per Oscarsson's directorial debut, "Ebon Lundin"; vintage promotional materials; and more. In Swedish, with optional English and Swedish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Up to a certain point, individuals like Lundgren (Per Oscarsson) follow the same route. During this crucial stretch, they evolve into classic social outcasts who begin juggling different personas. The better chameleons are typically more intelligent individuals who are somewhat or fully aware that one of their personas, if exposed, can jeopardize their lifestyle, and they do many, very particular things to conceal it.

All of these individuals can eventually be placed into two groups. In the first are the harmless introverts. If no one bothers them, they would spend the rest of their time in peace, constantly ignoring as much as possible of everything and anyone that reconnects them with the busy real world. They could become almost invisible. In the second are the suicidal psychopaths. Initially, some of these individuals can also be harmless introverts. However, eventually they are all drawn into an intense battle with their minds, and the more ground they lose there, the more suicidal they become. The most dangerous among these individuals are the ones who also engage in a delusional blame game where they link their misery to total strangers and then choose to self-destruct while taking out as many of them as possible.

At first, everything Lundgren, a night patrol in the Swedish capital, shares about his existence suggests that he is on his way to becoming almost invisible. “827,913 people live in this city. Perhaps I should say 827,914, but no one cares about me. I’m lonely. They all have someone waiting for them. They all paw each other, it’s bloody disgusting. Oh well, maybe I shouldn’t say disgusting, I have no right to say that. I’m just jealous. I’m not the only one feeling lonely in this city. I know there are many lonely souls. But I don’t know them. Nobody wants me. Nobody cares about me.” At this point, Lundgren’s seemingly inevitable transformation does not appear to be by choice, but this is irrelevant because he is already drawn into a battle with his mind and, without realizing it, playing poor defense. When Lundgren least expects it, his mind then launches a surprising attack and becomes the dominant force on the battlefield.

While wandering the city’s frozen streets, Lundgren spots a beautiful mannequin (Gio Petre) in a massive storage room and successfully steals it. Shortly after, while following his instincts, he also successfully outmaneuvers a couple of colleagues and brings it back to his apartment.

In the days ahead, Lundgren begins treating the mannequin as his lover, and the more time the two spend together, the more his sick mind alters his identity. Then, much to Lundgren’s delight, the mannequin comes alive and declares that he is what makes its existence complete.

Arne Mattsson’s The Doll is an effective deconstruction of madness disguised as a noirish thriller that easily could have been directed by Ingmar Bergman. Indeed, it is a casually elegant, beautiful yet very focused film, pondering the nature of human duality with a balanced curiosity that is present in all of Bergman’s better character studies. Mattsson even shares Bergman’s conviction that the human face is the gateway to the soul. (Unsurprisingly, The Doll produces many striking close-ups of Lundgren and the mannequin’s faces, very similar to the ones seen in all of Bergman’s films).

In the sequences where the mannequin comes alive and Lundgren begins communicating with it, the transitions are incredibly well done. The camera always picks the right angles, and light and shadow are very carefully managed, making the mannequin’s plastic face and Petre’s beautiful face practically indistinguishable.

Klubb Super 8’s release introduces a new 4K restoration of The Doll, sourced from the original camera negative, completed on behalf of the Swedish Film Institute in 2022.

The Doll Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.38:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Doll arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Klubb Super 8.

The release introduces a new 4K restoration of The Doll, sourced from the original camera negative, completed on behalf of the Swedish Film Institute in 2022.

The quality of the visuals ranges from very good to excellent. In a few sequences, sporadic mild softness can be observed, but it is very easy to tell that it is not introduced by compromising digital corrections. The softness is inherited. Also, I suspect that with specific encoding optimizations -- there is another feature film on the release -- it would have been even easier to ignore. The grayscale is very convincing. Many areas of the film produce strong blacks, but I cannot say that crushing is an issue. The many thick and more nuanced dark shadows are clearly a crucial feature of the original cinematography. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks practically spotless as well. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Doll Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Swedish LPCM 2.0. Optional English and Swedish subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Even though The Doll does have a fine score, the music does not create any major, memorable dynamic contrasts. It is effective in a different way. It simply adds to an environment already effective on its own. The narration and exchanges are always very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. I did not notice any age-related anomalies to report in our review. The English translation and the size of the English subtitles are both excellent.

The Doll Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction - in this new program, director and producer Mats Helge Olsson (Blood Tracks) discusses Sweden's government-controlled post-war film industry, his very close friendship and professional relationship with Arne Mattsson, and The Doll. In Swedish, with English subtitles. (41 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by the founder of Klubb Super 8, Rickard Gramfors, and critic Joni Havonen. In English.

• Gio Petre - this exclusive new video essay takes a closer look at the life and legacy of Swedish actress Gio Petre. The essay was created by Rickard Gramfors. In English. (11 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a new trailer for the recent 4K restoration of The Doll. In English. (2 min).

• Publicity Materials - a large collection of vintage promotional materials for The Doll. Presented with music. (4 min).

• Ebon Lundin (1973) - presented here is a new restoration of Per Oscarsson's directorial debut, Ebon Lundin, about an exotic, slightly loopy loner, also played by Oscarsson. In Swedish, with optional English subtitles. LPCM 2.0. 1080p. (78 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered original trailer for Ebon Lundin. In Swedish, with English subtitles. (2 min).

• Publicity Materials - a large collection of vintage promotional materials for Ebon Lundin. Presented with music. (3 min).

• Monica Tornell Sings Ebon Lundin - an archival performance, sourced from a standard definition master. (3 min).

The Doll Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Few film historians whose opinions are taken seriously would even contemplate arguing that the massive shadow Ingmar Bergman's work cast over post-war Swedish cinema may have been a problematic development. But some Swedish directors and producers who experienced the evolution of the Swedish film industry during the decades that were dominated by Bergman's work, like Mats Helge Olsson, have done so, and it is awfully difficult to disagree with their claims and assessments. In a new program prepared for this release, virtually all the information Olsson shares about state control in post-war Sweden is easy to authenticate, and it is an undisputable fact that some government authorities did plenty to prevent films not directed by Bergman from reaching international audiences, like Arne Mattsson's The Doll. Recently restored on behalf of the Swedish Film Institute, The Doll looks great on Blu-ray, and it is one of the best European discoveries you can make this year. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.