150 Word Review: ‘Riders of Justice’ (2021)

Summary

"Riders of Justice" is a Danish-language action comedy that subverts the American-style revenge thriller genre, starring Mads Mikkelsen as a soldier seeking justice for his wife's death, with a surprising exploration of male intimacy and a humorous twist.

Abstract

Mads Mikkelsen delivers another compelling performance in "Riders of Justice," a film that diverges from the typical revenge narrative by blending dark humor with moments of brutal violence. Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, the movie follows Mikkelsen's character, a soldier, who returns home after his wife's death in a train accident. The plot takes a turn when a survivor, played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas, posits that the accident was orchestrated by criminals. Together with his friends, who are data scientists, they form an unlikely team to pursue the culprits. The film is not only an action-packed revenge tale but also a poignant examination of human connections, particularly the bonds between men.

Opinions

The film is praised for its unique blend of comedy and brutal action, setting it apart from traditional revenge thrillers.
Mads Mikkelsen's performance is highlighted as intense and impactful, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
The movie is commended for its exploration of male intimacy, presenting a nuanced portrayal of friendships and camaraderie.
Nikolaj Lie Kaas's character is noted to be superbly portrayed, adding depth to the narrative as the survivor with a theory about the train accident.
The film suggests that companionship and family are crucial in facing the cruelties of the world.

Don’t make Mads mad in this funny and brutal revenge flick

Mads Mikkelsen should be in everything. The intense actor starred as a middle-aged sadsack in this year’s Best Foreign-Language Oscar winner Another Round and his follow-up is Riders of Justice, an unconventional Danish-language action comedy. Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, it’s almost a send-up of American-style revenge thrillers but it’s also a surprisingly sweet-hearted look at male intimacy.

Mikkelsen is a soldier called home when his wife is killed in a train accident. A survivor of the tragedy has a theory: criminals caused the wreck. As the man spared, Nikolaj Lie Kaas is superb. He and his friends, a pair of socially awkward data scientists, form a sort of Mission: Impossible team of nerds to help Mikkelsen’s character hunt down those responsible.

There are few shockingly violent scenes, and Mikkelsen reveals a surprising inner rage. In Riders of Justice, the world is cruel but best endured with friends and family.

150 Word Review: ‘Riders of Justice’ (2021)

Don’t make Mads mad in this funny and brutal revenge flick

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