On the surface, this looks like a departure for Austrian director Michael Haneke, who certainly has an eye for the dark and subversive. On closer inspection however, this drama set in a small German village, soon reveals itself to be very much a Michael Haneke film.

It’s 1913, in a small place called Eichwald, Germany. It is a community that works hard under the rule of a baron, for very little in return. Only the local pastor and doctor carry as much weight within the community as the baron.

Over a period of time, strange occurrences begin to happen, starting with someone tying a wire across the path outside the doctor’s home, causing him to fall off of his horse and damaging his arm. All the events that follow all go unexplained, with no one ever being caught for the crimes. Things get so bad that two police officers are sent to the village to get to the bottom of things, but to no avail.

But there are certain members of the community who know more about what’s going on than they’re prepared to let on.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice present, it's just that I was expecting a PS3 with Uncharted 2.

With mainstream cinema insisting that we need a third dimension in our lives, it’s good to see a modern auteur like Haneke go old school with this stunning-looking film shot in black and white. As if the setting wasn’t bleak enough, his colour-drained images evoke a greater sense of both landscape and emotional desolation. In fact, everything from his framing to his character’s relationship are eerily reminiscent of early Bergman (Ingmar obviously, not Ingrid).

There’s also a slowness to the story – a stillness even – that almost feels like a montage of photographs being displayed. It’s all in keeping with the mood of the piece however, so doesn’t feel out of place.

Then there’s Haneke’s ability to create a sense of dread out of almost nothing. It simmers quietly throughout, threatening with an intent that doesn’t materialise. In the past he’s been less restrained, take either version (original or US) of his own Funny Games for example, but there’s a subtlety here to a looming violence that works incredibly well.

On a technical point, the subtitles are woefully small and often disappear on white backgrounds, of which there are many. You have been warned.

At two hours plus it’s hardly a thrill-a-minute experience, but if you stick with it will be a rewarding one. Die-hard fans of Haneke’s masterful craft though, shouldn’t be disappointed.