Here we go – our final Nordic New Releases post for 2024! What a year it has been and it certainly has not finished yet with a whole bundle of new series, films, and books being released.
FILMS & TV SERIES
Speak No Evil | Film | DVD & DIGITAL | 2nd December
Christian Tafdrup’s Danish shocker is getting a physical media release on DVD and will also be able to be purchased digitally form the 2nd December. Previously it has only been accessible through Shudder but we suspect given the success of the remake, which was released this past Summer to much praise, the distributors decided to get the film on a bigger platform to be viewed.
And if you have someone managed to miss this one then here is the quick synopsis; The story follows a reserved Danish family—Bjorn (Morten Burian), Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), and their daughter Agnes (Liva Forsberg)—enjoying a holiday in Tuscany. There, they strike up an instant connection with a lively Dutch family: Patrick (Fedja van Huet), Karin (Karina Smulders), and their son Abel (Marius Damslev).
Upon returning home, the Danes are surprised by an invitation to visit their new friends in the Netherlands. After a long journey, they arrive at the Dutch family’s secluded home and are greeted with warm hospitality. However, what begins as a charming reunion soon spirals into a chilling ordeal, as the Danish family finds themselves ensnared in a disturbing game of social niceties and mounting dread.
Bullsh*t | TV Series | Viaplay UK | 2nd December
Bullshit is a gripping new drama inspired by true events, premiering exclusively on Viaplay.
Set in late 1970s and early 1980s Copenhagen, the series dives into the dangerous world of the hardcore biker gang Bullshit. Based on Bullshit: The Story of a Family by Camilla Stockmann and Janus Køster-Rasmussen, it won multiple awards at the 2024 Geneva International Film Festival, including Best Miniseries and Best Acting Performance.
The story follows Pia (Alba August, Becoming Astrid), a 16-year-old escaping her troubled home, and Henning, aka Mackerel (Marco Ilsø, Vikings), an 18-year-old chasing freedom and brotherhood in the gang. As their passionate romance unfolds, rising tensions with the Hells Angels push them into a brutal and life-altering conflict.
The series is directed by the talented Milad Alami (who directed this year’s Opponent) and is a wild ride – don’t sleep on this one!
Ace of Base: All That She Wants | Viaplay USA | 5th December
The Viaplay documentary Ace of Base: All That She Wants offers an unfiltered look at the meteoric rise and turbulent journey of one of Sweden’s most iconic pop bands. This three-part series delves into the highs of global stardom, propelled by hits like “The Sign” and “All That She Wants,” alongside the darker struggles faced by the band members, including personal trauma, internal conflicts, and public pressure.
Featuring never-before-seen footage and intimate diaries, the series sheds light on the band’s evolution from humble beginnings to becoming one of Sweden’s top music exports, only behind ABBA and Roxette
La Palma | TV Series | Netflix (Worldwide) | 12th December
Do not be fooled by the image below as this is no family comedy – it is in fact a major new Norwegian disaster series and those who know their Norwegian disaster films will be fully aware that they are the kings when it comes to this genre.
The cast for this is absolutely stacked with the likes of Thea Sofie Loch Næss (Evil), Anders Baasmo (The Arctic Convoy), Thorbjørn Harr (Vikings), Ingrid Bolsø Berdaland (Westworld) everyone’s favourite Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Trapped). The series is directed by Kasper Barfoed who has worked on the likes of The Nurse, The Chestnut Man, Trom, and many more popular Nordic series.
The synopsis is along the lines of a Norwegian family returning to their favorite hotel on the island of La Palma. However, their paradise hides a perilous secret. A young Norwegian scientist uncovers alarming signs of instability in the island’s central volcano, warning that an eruption could trigger a catastrophic landslide. If her worst fears come true, a mass the size of Manhattan could collapse into the sea, unleashing the largest tsunami the world has ever seen. As ash, gas, and lava threaten to engulf the island, the family faces a desperate fight for survival.
Seaside Hotel (Season 7 & 8) | TV Series | Channel 4 / Walter Presents (UK) | 13th December
Set against the backdrop of World War II, this beloved series continues to captivate with its blend of drama, humor, and the complexities of human relationships.
In Season 7 (Summer 1940), Amanda opens the hotel for her first season as owner, offering a refuge for regular guests seeking solace from Germany’s occupation of Denmark. Madsen arrives in defiance of wartime restrictions, Mrs. Frigh finds herself charmed by a mysterious gentleman, and her daughter Bertha harbors a secret crush. The seemingly idyllic summer is disrupted when Weyse’s sons encounter German soldiers bathing in the sea, reminding everyone that the war is never far away.
In Season 8 (Summer 1941), the stakes rise as the German occupiers seize a neighbouring hotel. Undeterred, the guests return, determined to maintain their traditions, with Edward Weyse insisting, “If we pretend they’re not there, they’re not there.” But the tranquility is soon threatened by a Communist painter, two meddling German soldiers, and an orthopedic surgeon, all of whom stir the pot of secrets and desires. Amid wartime uncertainty, the guests and staff must navigate love, betrayal, and the enduring need for connection.
Freezing Embrace | TV Series | Channel 4 / Walter Presents (UK) | 20th December
Freezing Embrace, based on Christian Rönnbacka’s popular Hautalehto book series, is an 8-episode psychological thriller set in the snow-covered town of Porvoo, Finland. Amidst the town’s idyllic riverside charm, Chief Inspector Antti Hautalehto (Mikko Leppilampi) hires a young policeman (Onni Parviainen) whose father (Antti Reini) has been a trusted colleague for over two decades. However, Hautalehto’s world unravels when mysterious murders plague the town, with young men found drowned by the river nearly every week.
When evidence points to the new recruit as the killer, he is arrested, and the murders cease—seemingly confirming his guilt. Yet his father remains steadfast in his son’s innocence, persuading Hautalehto to reexamine the case. As he delves deeper, Hautalehto uncovers buried secrets and false memories planted by the father, ultimately leading him to confront a traumatic past and track down the true killer. Featuring performances by Oona Airola and a talented Finnish cast, Freezing Embrace combines psychological tension with a chilling Nordic noir atmosphere.
Avicii – I’m Tim | Film | Netflix (Worldwide) | 31st December
Rounding up what has been an incredibly busy year and preparing us for a very busy 2025 is Avicii – I’m Tim.
This is the remarkable story of Tim Bergling, a shy and introspective boy who unexpectedly transformed into one of the world’s most beloved artists—Avicii. Using rare home videos and an extensive private archive, the film takes us on a profound journey from Tim’s first moments in a Stockholm maternity ward in 1989 to his tragic passing in Oman in 2018. Narrated by Tim himself, the documentary offers an intimate glimpse into his inner world like never before. Through the voices of his family, close friends, and fellow artists, we come to know Tim—the boy behind the global phenomenon—for the very first time.
This will also be followed by Avicii’s last show in Ibiza – it will certainly be an emotional way to see out the end of 2024!
BOOKS
Locked In By Jussi Adler-Olsen | 3rd December
After a mad rush in November of releases, December is a much quieter affair, but it still holds a literary milestone. Ater ten books, December sees the bestselling Department Q books come to an end with Locked In, the final chapter in Jussi Adler-Olsen’s much loved works.
Head of Department Q, Detective Carl Mørck finds himself handcuffed in a police car facing charges of drug trafficking and murder threaten to destroy his life and career. He’s an innocent man though, being framed for crimes he didn’t commit. As colleagues in the Copenhagen police desert him can his Department Q team prove his innocence?
The Department Q series have become legendary in Nordic Noir and so it’s hard to believe this is the final instalment and will be interesting to see what follows next.
