Revenge movies are a popular genre and we decided to take a look at some of our favourite Nordic ones – so here are our Top 5 Nordic revenge movies.
Darkland | Denmark | Viaplay
Darkland starring Dar Salim is currently available on Viaplay and we hope to catch the sequel which was released in Denmark earlier this year. The actor is having a huge year with both the sequel to this being released along with his leading role in Guy Ritchie’s new movie The Covenant, playing alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
The film sees Dar Salim play a heart surgeon who goes rogue after his brother is murdered by a gang. When the police don’t seem to offer much help in finding his brother’s killer he decides to take the law into his own hands – which proves to be quite a challenge.
Who will get to him first though? The gangs he wages war on or the police hot on his tail? This is great thriller which is well worth a watch!
In Order of Disappearance | Norway | Viaplay
If you might have stumbled upon Liam Neeson in Cold Pursuit you will learn that the original was in fact Norway’s In Order of Disappearance. What is interesting is the fact that the same director re-made the film for Hollywood.
The original is without doubt one of our favourite revenge films from the Nordic region which sees snow plougher Stellan Skarsgård exact revenge on the people behind his son’s murder.
The way the film unfolds is all-out chaos sprinkled with sentimentality and humour thanks to an impressive turn from Skarsgård.
The film introduced us to director Hans Petter Moland who went on to direct Department Q: A Conspiracy of Faith and Out Stealing Horses – both great films that can also be found on Viaplay.
The Oath | Iceland | Director: Baltasar Kormákur
The Oath is an Icelandic thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur, known for his work on films like The Deep, Everest, and most recently Beast. The story centres around a successful heart surgeon, played by Kormákur himself, who faces a personal crisis when his daughter Anna becomes involved with a dangerous drug dealer named Óttar (played by Gísli Örn Garðarsson).
Driven by his paternal instinct, Finnur finds himself entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with Óttar, as he attempts to rescue Anna from the clutches of the criminal underworld. When finally pushed to take drastic action one has to wonder who really is in the right here?
Riders of Justice | Denmark | Director: Anders Thomas Jensen
NOW TV/Sky Cinema
To say we are excited about Danish director Anders Thomas Jensen’s new film, The Bastard, is a bloody understatement. His previous film, Riders of Justice, completely took us by surprise in how it blended so much humour and heartbreak with all-out violence.
The story follows Markus (Mads Mikkelsen), a military veteran who returns home after his wife dies in a train accident. As Markus grapples with his grief, he soon becomes convinced that the incident was not an accident.
Joined by a group of unlikely companions, including an eccentric statistician named Otto (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas), an ex-convict named Lennart (played by Lars Brygmann), and a hacker named Emmenthaler (played by Nicolas Bro), Markus sets out on a mission for justice. Together, they delve into a world of conspiracy, seeking revenge against those responsible for his wife’s death.
The Square | Sweden | Director: Ruben Östlund | Viaplay
The Square is a Swedish satirical drama film directed by Ruben Östlund, released in 2017. The film follows Christian (played by Claes Bang), the curator of a contemporary art museum in Stockholm. Christian’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when his wallet and phone are stolen, leading him on a series of unexpected encounters.
As Christian navigates his personal crises, the museum prepares to launch an exhibition called “The Square,” a symbolic space where trust and compassion are meant to reign. However, the film explores the gap between the lofty ideals of the art world and the harsh realities of everyday life. It satirizes the pretensions of the art scene, society’s hypocrisies, and the inherent contradictions of modern living.
Wait a minute, The Square as a revenge movie? Maybe we are stretching the concept now but without spoiling the film, Claes Bang’s character does go after those responsible for stealing his items – with chaotic results.
What are some of your favourite Nordic revenge movies? Have we missed any classics which we should be aware of?
