'Vinterviken' and the appeal of the Swedish romantic teen drama

Many elements of romantic teen dramas are universal: a love-at-first-sight moment between two unlikely candidates, extended sequences of awkward sexual tension, a goofy but loveable BFF. But with the rise of Netflix Nordics, which offers an endless stream of Scandi content, a sexy new subgenre has emerged: the Swedish romantic teen drama.

Yes, these vehicles have all the aforementioned trappings of any other romantic teen drama, but they also have their very own, distinctly Swedish special sauce. Perhaps you’ve already binge-watched the poster child of the genre, Young Royals. For another shining example, look no further than JJ+E. Often called by its working title, Vinterviken (I will call it Vinterviken henceforth) this very titillating teen movie came out on Netflix just last week.

An adaptation of a book by Swedish novelist Mats Wahl (which, by the way, was already adapted into a film in 1996), Vinterviken follows aesthetically pleasing teens John John and Elisabeth as they navigate a doomed romance from “opposite sides of the tracks” (JJ is from the “wrong side” and Elisabeth is from the "fancy side"). Chaos and disapproving parents (Elisabeth’s, natch) ensue.

Helmed by director Alexis Almström and starring Mustapha Aarab and Elsa Öhrn, two promising young actors so unknown they don’t even have imdb profile images yet, the movie is as earnest and charming as a teen drama ought to be. It also features an exceptional performance by Vogue Scandinavia’s own Lingerie & Swimwear expert Loreen, who plays JJ’s troubled but well-meaning mother.

But Vinterviken’s Swedishness isn’t inherent in its acting or even its plot. And though it very much set in and around Stockholm – it even shouts out beloved outdoor nightclub Trädgården in an early scene – location does not define the Swedish teen drama. Rather, the devil is in the details.

First, any good Swedish teen drama has a dreamy techno score, which emerges during or shortly after the opening credits. This is true of both Vinterviken and Young Royals. Dreamy techno music tells the viewer that this isn’t your standard cheesy teen drama. This teen drama is effortlessly cool and has good taste in music, just like Swedish people.

Also notable is the casting. Swedish teen dramas cast actors, typically unknown, who actually look like teenagers. Sometimes they even are teenagers, in real life. This is especially jarring for me, a millennial who grew up watching The OC. In both Vinterviken and Young Royals, the characters look like kids you might have run into in high school (albeit the very best looking ones). Some have acne, others carry themselves with a realistic awkwardness. They wear teenage-appropriate clothes like Nike bombers and Adidas sneakers. In Vinterviken, JJ wears a jumper from Malmö-based skate brand Polar Skate Co. Even Elisabeth’s easy cardigans and jeans are realistic. In contrast Marissa Cooper wore fresh-off the runway Chanel haute couture to her high school prom.

Swedish teen dramas also love a gritty party scene, complete with smoke machines and lasers. In Vinterviken, this scene takes place in a forest – as Swedish raves are wan to do – and features, you guessed it, cool techno music. These teens drink and do drugs and make out, but that’s pretty universal when it comes to teen dramas these days.

But the final element in the Swedish teen drama seems to be safe, consensual sex. We love to see it.