Under the Tree

Two suburban households are pulled into a war of shadows and spite when Baldvin and Inga notice that a tall tree in the yard above their sun deck blocks part of the light. What starts as a routine neighbor complaint quickly blossoms into a corrosive dispute that drags in their family and nearby residents. Atli, Inga, Baldvin and the other neighbors become trapped in a web of petty grievances, misread signals, and escalating retaliation as misunderstandings breed suspicion and guilt. The tree, once a quiet backdrop to backyard banter, becomes a flashpoint for secrets, pride, and the brittle line between civility and cruelty. The consequence is a tense, darkly funny look at ordinary life gone off the rails for everyone.

Directed by Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson, Under the Tree is built from an original screenplay credited to Hafsteinn and Huldar Breiðfjörð. This Icelandic drama comedy premiered in 2017 at festivals and then received a limited release in many markets worldwide later.

Box office data for Under the Tree is not provided in the available material. The film has circulated mainly through festival screenings and limited releases, rather than a wide commercial rollout, with some markets reporting modest attendance in later months.

Its dark humor and blunt look at neighborly conflict earned attention for shaping what modern Icelandic cinema can do with everyday grievances. The film's cast includes Edda Björgvinsdóttir and Sigurður Sigurjónsson sharpen the humor. Their timing and restraint add an offbeat bite that lingers after the final scene for viewers.

Critical response centers on the film's balancing act between comedy and menace, viewer empathy for flawed characters, and sharp social commentary on how small disputes can escalate when ego and secrecy take hold. The result is a memorable, tightly wound suburban fable that invites viewers to question neighborly trust today.