Danish star Mads Mikkelsen, almost unrecognisable behind a greying beard, shaven scalp and grim demeanour, stars as a traumatised war veteran bent on revenge in this madcap farce.
Mikkelsen’s character, Markus, cuts short his tour of Afghanistan to care for his teenage daughter Mathilde ( Andrea Heick Gadeberg) after his wife is killed in a horrific train smash.
He and Mathilde are both traumatised by their loss, but after Markus’s long absences on duty, they barely know each other. Tough, rigid and quick to anger, he rejects all offers of grief and trauma counselling.
All his certainties are shattered when Otto (Nikolas Lie Kaas), a survivor of the train crash, turns up with his sidekicks Lennart (Lars Brygmann) and Emmenthaler (Nicolas Bro).
Otto and Lennart are computer geeks who deal in statistical probabilities. Emmenthaler, obese and touchy, specialises in facial recognition.
After analysing the coincidences and probabilities which led up to the train crash, the three are convinced it was no accident but a targeted killing of a gang member who had been due to give crucial evidence against a bikie leader.
Markus, at first incredulous, is soon persuaded that they are right. With the three eccentric geeks in tow, he sets out to revenge himself on the entire bikie gang.
From that point the film develops into a hilarious farce – violent and suspenseful at times, but with thoughtful insights on topics like fate, coincidence and trauma.
Writer/ director Anders Thomas Jensen skilfully manoevers his quirky but fragile characters through a far-fetched plot which will have you laughing out loud.
Riders of Justice now showing at Luna Leederville and Luna On SX.
Watch the trailer…
Revenge, violence and smashing one liners combine in an enthralling way in ‘Riders of Justice’, the rough, tough Norwegian revenge comedy. It’s got a bit of everything for everyone. Check it out now.