This study is a close reading of how Shapeshifters (Sophie Vuković, 2017) and Inuti diamanten (Viktor Johansson, 2020) produce social criticism through essayistic forms. Using relevant research and theories on essay film, the first part of this study explores essayistic form in above mentioned films. It demonstrates how the use of voiceover, narrative structure and other filmic forms in Shapeshifters and Inuti diamanten can be described as essayistic. The second part combines the implications of the first part with theories on essayistic form and its capacity of societal critique. It reveals how an essayistic form allows these filmmakers to produce social critique in similar and different ways. Research about essay film is an expanding field of film studies that has become increasingly relevant in our postmodern society. Investigating a more personal, complex and open style of filmmaking, essay film studies offer new ways of making, watching and analyzing film. A shortage of attentiveness to essay film in Swedish film studies has urged this study to expand the research and explore essay filmmaking in contemporary Sweden.