Valhalla Rising

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Valhalla Rising

Released Jul 23, 2010

1h 40m

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

49%

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10,000+ Ratings

In 11th-century Scandinavia, an enslaved man dubbed One Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) because of an old facial wound stages a violent uprising against those who imprisoned him. One Eye links up with Eirik (Ewan Stewart) and other Christian fanatics who aim to use their muscle to spread God's word. Headed for Jerusalem, One Eye and his shipmates must cope with crew infighting and attacks from the coastline. But the journey's challenges are only a harbinger of even greater brutality.

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Critics Consensus

Visually gripping and anchored by a magnetic Mads Mikkelsen, Valhalla Rising delves into violence and faith in brutally uncompromising fashion.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Refn tries to turn his protagonist into a Christ figure at the climax, which might have worked better if the rest of the film weren’t an endless slog of mud, blood, and graphic disembowelment.

Aug 10, 2022

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Mikkelsen verifies that, even without saying a word, he's an unnervingly unhinged presence.

Rated: B

May 31, 2011

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Ty Burr

Boston Globe

If only the pieces added up to an experience that sticks and that didn't finally succumb to a shrug of entropy.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 29, 2010

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Though gorgeously shot in Scotland to capture hazy and bleak landscapes of green mountains and dense forests, the film’s beauty hardly compensates for its inaccessible tone.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Episode 27: Valhalla Rising / Bronson / Starred Up / True Detective S3

Rated: 78/100

Sep 9, 2021

Full Review

Víctor López G.

Espinof

A unique sample of that grand cinema that trascends its status a a story told in images to be considered a true experience.

Rated: 9/10

May 15, 2021

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Egg H

This is a dark, psychological, depressing movie with its fair share of extreme violence but no real battle scenes. This movie is for adults only, as it's very slow and dark. There is nothing Hollywood about this film, and that's probably why I liked it so much. A mix of fantasy and horror with doses of stark reality showing the harshness, brutality and loneliness of an adventurous life during the Dark Ages. Definitely an "art house" type of movie. For a somewhat similar, but not depressing movie with more action and some humor, try "Sisu".

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Audience Member

Odin takes a holiday in, I think, 12th Century Scotland. Possibly Caithness. Held by Norse slavers as a kind of gladiator, he wins bouts against other slaves until rescued by a band of Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Mute and blind in one eye he is accompanied by a small boy who speaks for him. They take to the sea with the pilgrims but are becalmed and blinded by fog until they finally drift onto the shores of North America. I would recommend watching the movie to find out what happens next. It's moody, bleak and violent without a clear explanation of what's happening or why. Enjoy the landscapes and the acting, don't expect a tidy resolution!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

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Gareth v

A moody, art-house take on Viking lore—rewarding if you surrender to its atmosphere, frustrating if you’re looking for action or clarity.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

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Katelyn O

Genuinely so boring and a hard watch. Gory, sure. But the story sucks and it's not easy to follow. Would not recommend unless you want to waste 90 minutes

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Leighton F

It’s a captivating film no question about it. But it will leave you with half a dozen questions. I think that might be the point. 8.5/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

Full Review

Scott B

Movie was OK. Mildly offensive in choosing early North America and its natives as "hell". Not over the top gory but some gore. The lead actor was riveting and able to communicate without words in his expressions and actions. He is the only redeeming quality of the movie

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

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Nicolas Winding Refn

Director

Mads Mikkelsen

One-Eye

Gary Lewis

Kare

Jamie Sives

Gorm

Ewan Stewart

Eirik

Alexander Morton

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Synopsis

In 11th-century Scandinavia, an enslaved man dubbed One Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) because of an old facial wound stages a violent uprising against those who imprisoned him. One Eye links up with Eirik (Ewan Stewart) and other Christian fanatics who aim to use their muscle to spread God's word. Headed for Jerusalem, One Eye and his shipmates must cope with crew infighting and attacks from the coastline. But the journey's challenges are only a harbinger of even greater brutality.

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Producer: Johnny Andersen, Henrik Danstrup
Screenwriter: Roy Jacobsen, Nicolas Winding Refn
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BBC Films
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5K
Runtime: 1h 40m

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