Discover 12 new nordic releases with our May Monthly Guide and find out which titles to add to your Nordic Watchlist this month.
This month, you will get spoiled with a whole mix of series and films to enjoy. From Thomas Vinterbergs new series Families Like Ours, to creepy Icelandic ghost story The Damned, futuristic dystopian drama The Fortress, to more great additions to Netflix with the Secrets We Keep and Pernille – that is just scratching the surface!
FILMS & TV SERIES
Families Like Ours | TV Series | BBC iPlayer (UK) | Out Now
Families Like Ours, a new Nordic drama from the BBC directed by Thomas Vinterberg, plunges viewers into a near-future Denmark facing an unprecedented crisis. As rising water levels force a nationwide evacuation, the series intimately portrays the interconnected lives of several families grappling with this unimaginable upheaval. The narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace, carefully constructing emotional connections before erupting into moments of intense drama.
The series masterfully explores themes of desperation, family bonds, and the profound impact of a large-scale catastrophe on personal relationships. Characters are forced to make impossible choices as their lives are irrevocably altered, revealing the strength and fragility of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. “Families Like Ours” has been lauded for its realistic and unsettling depiction of a society on the brink, featuring outstanding performances that draw the viewer deeply into the characters’ experiences.
Available as a box set on BBC iPlayer, this gripping drama offers a thought-provoking exploration of how ordinary people navigate extraordinary circumstances.
The Fortress | TV Series | Amazon Prime (UK) & Viaplay (USA) | Out Now
Tobias Santelmann, Russell Tovey and Salome Emnetu star in the pandemic conspiracy thriller, The Fortress, which hit streaming platform Viaplay USA in the middle of July. Over the course of seven episodes, their stories are woven together in a series that is packed full of shocking twists.
What gives The Fortress the edge is how very real it feels. It wasn’t so long ago that curfews and masks were a part of our everyday lives, although this series takes it to the extreme. Norway has walled itself off from the rest of the world, ensuring that its citizens remain healthy and free. On the border and beyond the sea, there are refugee camps, packed full of desperate individuals dreaming of this Scandinavian paradise.
But when a mysterious disease starts to threaten the food supply, conspiracy and subterfuge become the order of the day. Is this really the end of the world? Are the politicians telling the truth? What happens when utopia descends into disaster?
A very well-paced, well-written and well-acted series that is sure to grip you from start to finish.
The Damned | Film | Now TV/SKY Cinema (UK) | Out Now
chilling Nordic horror, The Damned delivers eerie atmosphere, slow-burning dread, and standout performances—especially from Odessa Young. Directed by Thordur Palsson, this psychological thriller blends folklore with claustrophobic tension, making it a must-watch for fans of intelligent horror and the stunning Icelandic landscape.
The Extraordinary Miss Flower | Film | Selected UK Cinemas | 9th May
Starring Emilíana Torrini alongside Caroline Catz, this unique film brings to life the extraordinary story of Geraldine Flower, a woman whose passionate love letters from the 60s and 70s inspired Torrini’s acclaimed album, “Miss Flower.”
The film transcends traditional genres, blending elements of film, theatre, and a dreamlike quality. It unfolds through a series of specially crafted performances by Torrini and her band, interwoven with dramatic scenes and readings from the letters by renowned actors and musicians. This collaborative and captivating approach offers a creative response to an incredible story, revealing the power of love and the artistry it can inspire.
Look out for our interview with Emilíana Torrini which will be out later this month.
The Ugly Stepsister | Film | SHUDDER USA & UK | 9th May
Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt (in her feature-length directorial debut), The Ugly Stepsister reimagines the classic fairy tale in a dark, twisted light.
In this gruesome adaptation of Charles Perrault’s Cinderella, the story takes a chilling turn, revealing just how much pain beauty truly costs. Lea Myren stars as Elvira, a woman obsessed with winning the love of her kingdom’s handsome prince and securing her “happily ever after.” But living in the shadow of her beautiful stepsister, Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss, The Last Kingdom), who seems destined for the fairytale ending, Elvira will stop at nothing to get what she wants—even if it means embracing the darkness within.
Also starring Ane Dahl Torp (The Wave), The Ugly Stepsister is a grim homage to a beloved tale, delivering all the thrills and sinister twists you didn’t know you were missing.
Secrets We Keep | TV Series | 15th May | Netflix (Globally)
Netflix have been very generous with their output of Scandi thrillers and this month is no different. Ingeborg Topsøe’s Secrets We Keep is the slick new crime drama that you won’t want to miss.
A Filipino au pair disappears from one of Denmark’s most affluent neighbourhoods, leading Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen) to become convinced that something nefarious has happened. This series swirls with suspicions, rumours and obsession. Cecilie is forced to confront her blind spots and view her family and the environment in which she is raising her children in a whole new light.
Strong performances and plenty of twists and turns will keep you watching until the very end.
Pernille | TV Series | Netflix (Globally) | 15th May
It might seem an odd choice to jump straight to season 5 of the much-loved series Pernille (or Pørni) – especially since you can find all the previous seasons over on Viaplay. However, the brand new season of the series is making its debut on Netflix this month.
As Ole Johan and Stephen’s wedding draws near, Pørni finds herself juggling the chaos of stag party plans and navigating Ole Johan’s escalating “bridezilla” behavior. Amidst the wedding whirlwind, she takes on a demanding part-time role in the Child Protection Emergency Services. Just as Pørni anticipates a much-needed family trip to Liverpool, a startling incident occurs, casting a shadow over their plans and transforming their journey. Meanwhile, the bond between Pørni and Bjørnar has healed, blossoming into a comfortable friendship. Yet, a lingering question remains: will friendship alone truly fulfill Pørni’s desires? Get ready for a season of emotional complexities, unexpected turns, and the ever-evolving relationships in Pørni’s life.
Chaos | TV Series | Viaplay USA and UK | 18th May |
If you’re looking for your next binge-watch, Chaos has to be it. Centred around breakfast television presenter, Lise (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal), whose life suddenly gets complicated with the potential axing of her show, this is a fantastic romantic drama to lose yourself in.
The cast is excellent – who’d have thought Jacob Lohmann would be the perfect out-and-out love interest? – and the writing manages to neatly balance humour, complex human emotions and all of the thrills and spills of live TV. With eight thirty minute episodes in the series, you’ll find yourself hitting the “next episode” button again and again.
You won’t want it to end, and you’ll definitely be hankering after series two.
Sunset Grove Season 1 | TV Series | Walter Presents/Channel 4 | 15th May
Step into the intriguing world of Siiri Kettunen, a sharp-witted 94-year-old resident of Sunset Grove retirement home. When her beloved chef Tero dies under suspicious circumstances, Siiri’s intuition tells her something is terribly wrong. A chance encounter at the funeral with Mika, a charismatic motorcycle club leader, hints at a dark underbelly within the seemingly peaceful home.
Teaming up with her friend Irma, Siiri embarks on a perilous investigation, facing fierce opposition from the formidable head nurse, Virpi Hiukkanen. As shocking revelations surface, including Mika’s theory of organised crime and a drug trade orchestrated by Nurse Hiukkanen, Siiri’s determination is tested. When Irma is suddenly transferred to the notorious dementia ward, Siiri, with the help of a new ally, Anna-Liisa, races against time to uncover the truth, leading to a dramatic confrontation and the exposure of Sunset Grove’s sinister secrets. Get ready for a captivating tale of suspense, unexpected alliances, and the unwavering spirit of an extraordinary senior citizen.
A New Kind of Wilderness | Documentary Film | Selected UK Cinemas | 16th May
A New Kind of Wilderness captures the poignant journey of the Payne family, who lived an idyllic, self-sufficient life in the Norwegian wilderness until the mother’s unexpected death challenges their existence. Forced to confront the modern world and the complexities of grief, the family navigates the delicate balance between their radical lifestyle and the realities of societal integration. This moving film explores the resilience of familial love and the wisdom found in facing life’s inevitable dilemmas.
When The Light Breaks | Film UK Cinemas | 23rd May
When The Light Breaks opens with a shot of student Una (Elín Hall) staring at a stunning sunset while stoned and sharing a romantic moment with her boyfriend Diddi (Baldur Einarsson), “I’m tired of this secrecy” she says.
Diddi makes a promise as the pair walk home with the sun setting behind them over the Icelandic scenery, joking and teasing each other. They fall asleep in each other’s arms, looking forward to the new life they can spend together when Diddi finally splits up with his girlfriend.
In the next scene, a score, Odi Et Amo, by the late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson plays as we see lights quickly drift past us. Are we in a tunnel? Is it a dream? It challenges us with the angle they are shown, but then suddenly everything comes into full view – and a catastrophe unfolds which will turn Una’s life upside down.
When The Light Breaks boasts a superb performance by its lead Elín Hall and is directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson. You can read our review with the pair when they visited the UK at the London Film Festival last year: When the Light Breaks Director Runar Runarsson and star Elin Hall talk to Nordic Watchlist
BOOKS
The Night Of The Scourge | Lars Mytting | Maclehose Press | 8 May
The third instalment in the Sister Bells trilogy, The Night Of The Scourge is set in a Norway occupied by Germany in the Second World War. Betrayal and resistance are at the fore as the Norwegian Resistance movement moves against the Nazi occupation and a family looks to survive the horrors of war and their own tumultuous times.
EVENT
Faroese Takeover | Colours Hoxton, London (UK) | 19th May
Mark your calendars! Following the vibe of our Nordic Nights x VVV event, don’t miss an evening of the finest music from the Faroe Islands, presented by Faroe Music Export, on Monday, May 19th.
Get ready to experience the diverse and exciting sounds of the Faroe Islands. Aggrasoppar, known for their unpredictable live shows and recent Steve Strange Award win at The Great Escape, blend harsh noise with soft country for a truly unique performance. Jazzygold offers honest and relatable lyrics set to a backdrop of melting RnB and soul-pop, while Ragnar Finsson crafts a distinctive sound fusing indie, folk, Americana, experimental, and electronic elements. Don’t miss this chance to discover your new favourite Faroese artist!
You can purchase your tickets by following this link: Faroese Takeover
