The Last Viking Review: Mads Mikkelsen's Dark Comedy Falls Flat Despite Star Power

The Last Viking: A Dark Comedy That Misses Its Mark

The Guardian's review of "The Last Viking" presents a critical assessment of Mads Mikkelsen's latest film, describing it as a "slapstick-violent black comedy" that is "relentlessly and bizarrely unfunny" despite its promising premise. Directed by Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Anders Thomas Jensen, the film attempts to blend dark humor with physical comedy but ultimately fails to deliver genuine laughs.

A Premise with Potential, Execution Without Payoff

The film centers on Manfred (Mads Mikkelsen), a character with learning disabilities who believes himself to be John Lennon. When his brother Anker (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is released from prison after 15 years, he discovers Manfred has retreated into this delusional state. The plot involves Anker recruiting three other individuals who believe they are Ringo, Paul, and George to reunite the "band" in the hope that Manfred will remember where he buried stolen money from Anker's past robbery.

Despite what the reviewer acknowledges as a "funny premise," the execution falls flat. The film relies heavily on "goofy, humourless violence" rather than developing its comedic potential. Mikkelsen's physical comedy initially shows promise but becomes repetitive, failing to sustain engagement throughout the runtime.

Behind the Scenes: Zentropa's Dark Legacy

Anders Thomas Jensen brings to this project his background as an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director with ties to Denmark's Zentropa Studios, known for its association with the Dogme 95 movement and dark master of the prank Lars von Trier. The reviewer speculates that von Trier's influence might be hovering in the background of this film, though without the same level of success. Jensen's many skills as a filmmaker, according to the review, do not extend to comedy, which "is frankly not one of them."

Cast and Characters: Mikkelsen Against Type

The film features notable Danish actors including Mads Mikkelsen cast against type as the nerdy loser Manfred. Nikolaj Lie Kaas plays his brother Anker, while Sofie Gråbøl appears as a martial arts enthusiast who owns the family home. The reviewer notes that Gråbøl "does her best" with her role, suggesting that even strong performances couldn't salvage the film's comedic shortcomings.

Release and Reception: A Nordic Export

"The Last Viking" opened in UK and Irish cinemas on June 26 and is being shown in Australia as part of the Hurtigruten Nordic film festival. The critical reception, as reflected in this review, is lukewarm at best, with the film failing to live up to its potential despite its intriguing premise and strong cast.