It is our annual Top 10 picks where we select our best Nordic films of 2024 – it is important to note that this is based on films that have been released in the UK and are accessible via a streamer or on digital.
10.The Arctic Convoy | Director: Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken | Norway | Amazon Prime
When it comes to films about the World Wars the Norwegians certainly have their fair share, to the extent that it is has almost become a bit of an over crowded genre. So when another release was shared for Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken‘s The Arctic Convoy we weren’t really sure whether it was going to be a hit with us or not – and how wrong we were about that.
Boasting a stunning cast that includes Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom), Anders Baasmo (La Palma), Heidi Ruud Ellingsen (The Riot), Preben Hodneland (As I Fall), and Adam Lundgren (The Conference) – this thriller looks and feels cinematic, even on your home TV screen. We follow a single ship trying to make its way through the Arctic Ocean to deliver supplies to the allies during WW2 – the only problem is that there is very heavy resistance from Germany, and with the crew being merely civilians, they face a challenge against all odds.
9. Stolen | Director: Elle Márjá Eira| Sweden | Netflix
Elle Márjá Eira’s adaptation of Stolen blends gripping drama with a poignant exploration of Sámi identity and oppression. Set in northern Sweden’s stark beauty, the story follows Elsa, who witnesses a brutal attack on her community as a child and grows into a teacher torn between preserving Sámi culture and fitting into Swedish society.
With powerful performances, especially from Elin Kristina Oskal, and a nuanced screenplay, Stolen delves into themes of resilience, mental health, and cultural survival. While its final act offers thrilling tension, the film’s strength lies in its emotional depth, making it one of the year’s most important films.
Read our interview with the film’s director Elle Márjá Eira
8. Let Go | Director: Josephine Bornebusch | Sweden | Netflix
Josephine Bornebusch is a major talent of whom you have probably been fully aware of without realising it. She directed half the episodes of Baby Reindeer and was involved in directing episodes of season 1’s Bad Sisters. With her work in the Nordics she directed, wrote, and starred in the likes of Love Me, Harmonica, and the lockdown film Orca (all of which can be found on Viaplay.
Once again she is back but this time on a bigger platform with Let Go where again she is credited as the writer, directs, and stars. This Netflix film is a very quiet and tender watch, despite its serious subject matter. There are moments of anger, frustration, helplessness, humour and joy. It is the mundanity of family life – and all its complexities – laid bare.
7. Birthday Girl | Director: Michael Noer | Denmark | Digital
The combination of the upcoming star Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl, Trine Dyrholm, and director Micheal Noer is a powerful concoction for this exciting thriller where, on the outside, it all feels pretty generic. A mother and daughter go on a cruise together to celebrate the daughter’s birthday, only for her to get sexually assaulted.
With the crew not really being very forthcoming with the incident, the mother takes matters into her own hands.
It is when you hear about the fact that this happens often on cruise ships, with the culprits never being charged, and the extent that a whole website has been created (called Cruise Victims) that director Michael Noer found his inspiration for the story (albeit rather dark)!
You can read more about that with our interview with the director.
6. The Hypnosis | Director: Ernst De Greer | Sweden | MUBI
We love a bit of “Nordic Cringe” here at Nordic Watchlist, and Ernst de Geer’s feature-length debut, The Hypnosis, gives you second-hand embarrassment in spades. Vera (Asta Kamma August) has decided to try and quit smoking via the titular hypnosis, ahead of a major pitch conference for tech entrepreneurs.
What unfolds is almost 100 minutes of pure disaster. There is imaginary dogs, awkward dinner parties, emotional outbursts and general odd-ness. But the film is so much more than cringey. Beneath Vera’s behaviour, de Geer offers up a biting satire on start-ups and do-gooders, keeping up appearances and millennial conference culture.
5. Rose | Director: Niels Arden Oplev | Denmark | Digital
Scandi acting royalty, Sofie Gråbøl, takes the lead in Niels Arden Oplev’s moving film, Rose. A family coach trip to Paris is the focus for Gråbøl’s Inger, who happily introduces herself to her fellow passengers as “mentally ill”.
This is a film that acutely avoids cliches surrounding mental health representation. Instead, it lays bare all of the tender moments of connection and tiresome, worrying moments of freneticism that living with a mental health issue can bring. Gråbøl entirely loses herself in Inger, immersing us in her thoughts and experiences.
A real tear jerker but absolutely worth the watch.
4. Opponent | Director: Milad Alami | Sweden | Digital
Listen, Milad Alami is a name you need to keep an eye on because this director is going places. His series, Bullshit, was a phenomenal piece of work (also rated highly in our Best Nordic TV Shows of 2024), and his earlier work on series such as When The Dust Settles (available on Channel 4’s Walter Presents) and the criminally unavailable (in the UK) film The Charmer proves this is one talented individual.
Opponent hooks you in from the offset with a sudden brutal breakout of violence before switching things up to a tense drama that merges a whole range of narratives. The performances are incredible too, especially in its leads Payman Maadi (as Iman) and Marall Nasiri (as Maryam) who play a husband and wife that have moved to Sweden as refugees and are awaiting asylum. Stuck in Swedish Lapland, they have to adapt to the new challenges around them, which only intensifies when Iman’s past manages to catch up with him.
3. Paradise is Burning | Director Mika Gustaffson | Sweden |Digital
Paradise is Burning came to London Film Festival last year and won award in it’s category – we have been tracking the film for some time and supporting it so when we final got a UK release it was a happy day here at Nordic Watchlist!
Mika Gustaffson’s has created a beautiful, chaotic, and thoughtful piece of cinema that is perhaps nothing like many have seen before if you are new to Nordic cinema. The films three leads (and debuts) are nothing short of remarkable.
If you think Nordic films are crime, doom, and gloom – watch this and prepare to open a door to whole new world of Scandinavian cinema.
You can read our interviews with the director and co-creator (Mika Gustafson and Alexander Öhrstrand) plus of the lead stars Bianca Del Bravo
2. Four Little Adults | Selma Vilehunen | Finland | BFI Player
Four Little Adults took its time to get to UK screen but finally this year, thanks to Modern Films, Selma Vilehunen’s film arrived onto UK screens – and is now accessible through BFI Player!
The film that takes a heartfelt look at how a polyamorous relationship might work is dealt with delicately and at time humorously. The cast is fantastic with the talented Alma Poysti and Eero Milonoff leading as a couple who – as a result of an affair – decide to open their marriage up.
Selma Vilhunen’s film has all the weight of a Shakespearian play and the light touch of a modern rom-com. It really benefits from keeping things in tight close-ups, allowing us to see the entire gamut of human emotions laid bare. A must watch.
1. The Promised Land | Director: Nikolaj Arcel | Denmark | BBC iPlayer
Whenever Mads returns to his Danish roots for a film you are already know that it is going to be a classic. From recent hits like Another Round and Riders of Justice (to name some of his more recent films) to The Promised Land. Despite heaps of film festival praise and awards nods the film seemed to quietly get released in the UK, ending the year with it being mysterious buried on BBC iPlayer with minimal fanfare.
Well we are here to tell you that if you have slept on this one, or just not been made aware, then make sure to make the time to watch it. A perfect revenge slow burner, with a stunning Scandinavian cast, that almost feels like There Will Be Blood, replacing oil with that equally precious commodity, the humble potato.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on which Nordic films you felt were your favorites in 2024 – share in the comments below anything you feel is missing or a personal favorite of yours.
