Bill Skarsgård has had a growing film career in the American media over the past few years–most notably for his chilling performance as Pennywise the murderous clown. Because of his prevalence in mainstream media, it can be easy to forget that he’s not native to the states.
In fact, he and the entire Skarsgård acting clan are originally from Sweden–and, naturally, they occasionally do films and television shows based in Sweden. Just because the dialogue in Clark, the story about one of Sweden’s most notorious bank robbers, is in Swedish, that doesn’t make the lines any less iconic.
Clark Olofsson
“If I couldn’t be the best at being the best, then I was the best at being the worst.”
Although Clark shares several times throughout the show that he doesn’t like talking about his childhood, he still gives viewers a rundown on what it was like for him growing up. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the best examples set for him in his youth.
Like many kids who experience trauma, Clark began acting out at an early age, stealing bikes and other smaller scores from other children. He was repeatedly abused at home and made to feel like he was “the worst,” so, he decided that he would excel at it, and shared this thought.
Clark Olofsson
“You thought I was dead. You won’t get rid of me that easily.”
Another thing viewers learned about Clark’s life is just how many close calls the criminal had with death. In fact, in one scene, Clark is on an autopsy table and the coroner had already made a call to his mother.
This line is representative of who Clark is. No matter how many times he gets caught or hurt, he always bounces back stronger and more optimistic than before. Much like Skarsgård’s character in the IT films, it’s not easy to get rid of him.
Prison Therapist
“In my professional opinion, he’s caring and kind and he has a lot of potential.”
It’s no secret that people were charmed by Clark. The concept of “Stockholm Syndrome” is largely due to people’s attitude about Clark, even when he was putting them in danger. From a young age, Clark exhibited intense likability.
Pennywise may be one of the scariest slasher villains of all time, but the character of Clark is much different. He was innovative and happy, wanting to get others to like him, which is what made his criminal career so successful–sometimes.
Woman At A Bank Robbery
“Excuse me, young man, are you robbing the bank or trying to get laid? I have a roast in the oven!”
There was no shortage of funny one-liners on the show, especially from the smaller, one-off characters. As Clark shares early on with the audience, he loves falling in love and is very much motivated by his sexual and romantic desires.
This is true even while he’s actively robbing a bank, and he can’t help but flirt with one of the customers. A woman who just wants the robbery to be over as quickly as possible makes her feelings known, and makes the very poignant observation that Clark always has women on his mind.
Maria
“Imagine the things you could accomplish if you just tried.”
Someone who arguably believed in Clark the most out of anyone else in his life was Maria. They were definitely a couple that shouldn’t have ended up together because of their very different moral compasses, but Maria was nonetheless totally charmed by Clark.
Maria was one of Clark’s longest relationships and she knew that if he truly wanted to go straight, he could be successful. But, when she realized that he would never choose that kind of life, she let him walk away.
Clark Olofsson
“Maybe I should have done that. Bang! And get it all over with. But where’s the fun in that?”
Heist films are definitely popular with audiences, which is why the climax of the series with Clark as a double agent in a hostage situation is so exciting to watch and high-action.
It was almost as if Clark knew that this would be one of the things that would make him the most famous, as he has a thought of just killing Janne the second he gets there, but he chooses to draw out the process and milk both sides, saying that there’s more fun in that.
Kicki
“I’m one of the hostages at the bank and I’m actually very disappointed in you!”
Kicki was yet another woman who was totally charmed by Clark, even while he was actively taking her hostage. Of course, her affection toward him had a lot to do with the development of the concept of “Stockholm Syndrome” and Clark.
Kicki was enamored by Clark because of the small things he did and the ways that he gaslit/tricked her. He took off her restraints, treated her and the guests to food and sangria, and paid more attention to her than others. In a way, she’s right. As the cops put the captive in immediate danger and discomfort with their drilling antics, Clark appeared to be taking care of them.
Hiller
“It’s like the hostages don’t want to come out. Like they’re more afraid of the police than the robbers.”
As previously stated, Kicki was easily manipulated by Clark into thinking that he was kind and wouldn’t hurt them. The cops, however, repeatedly put everyone’s life in danger in their attempts to stop the robbery. They even talk about using nerve gas on everyone involved.
Redditors have agreed that some villains are just more likable than the people that are trying to stop them, and that is exactly what happened with Clark and the hostages. Police were baffled by the hostages’ loyalty to Clark and Janne.
Everyone On The Commune
“F*** you, Clark!”
Clark may have been able to charm a lot of people easily, but he just as easily double-crossed and turned on everyone that he knew with little to no hesitation.
The compilation of everyone at the commune telling him “F*** you, Clark!” as they realized he took a large chunk of the money he stole for them and led the police to the property is a good representation of the way people felt about Clark after he got what he wanted from them.
Clark Olofsson
“I’ll tell you how it feels, like I’m just getting f***ing started.”
Clark is someone who will never feel like he is “past his prime.” Even after the climactic events in Stockholm, he still had a lot to share about his story with just as much enthusiasm as in his early life.
Through different relationships, children, and having a woman come to write a book about his entire experience, Clark never really gives up his high-action, adrenalined-fueled lifestyle. In his mind, he is only getting started.
