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%

Popcornmeter

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.

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

Full Review

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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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

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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

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Cammy F

These silent gestures, they request focus and loyalty. You become a ghost witness in this narrative on the path to one man's decisive hell. He is more than a man, he is a whisper, a splash of blood, an eye of Odin without the hanging tree. Refn is a genius in direction, color, perspective, location, and the allowance of the lack of sound. He leaves us with space to revel in the fireside story element of our ancestors but brought to us in the most current of technique and brutal fragility. This film haunts me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

Full Review

Madam D

Having the main character be mute is a facinating concept & Mikkelsen does a terrific job. This could have been a good picture, but there is not enough back story for plot clarity.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

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Dan D

This is a slow, plodding, violent and gory movie. It's funny, depending on your faith or beliefs, who is or isn't a savage. Mads Mikkelsen is good as a brutal killing machine. However, I have no clue what this movie was about.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

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Brandt A

A Broody, brutal, Slow burn. A subtle menacing throughout with no real enemy to be had. MelKelson (I think) was awesome. The fact he didn't speak but had such a presence about him. As they say "The quiet ones are the ones you gotta watch". I can see why some ppl may not enjoy this simply bc there's no explosions or cheap one liners. Give it a chance you might be surprised

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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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