The latest offering from Danish maestro Anders Thomas Jensen is a bewildering, laugh-out-loud adventure that's left critics scrambling to find the right notes. Welcome to 'The Last Viking', a dark comedy that careens wildly between slapstick mayhem and what some are calling 'gruesome silliness'.
At its heart, Mads Mikkelsen brings his trademark intensity to Manfred, an abuse survivor who's convinced he's the Beatle. His delusional state is expertly captured by Jensen, who weaves a complex narrative that sees Anker (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), Manfred's brother and self-proclaimed tough guy, taking on a mission to 'reunite the band' in a remote Danish forest.
The result is an unhinged journey featuring three misfits – each convinced they're Ringo, Paul, or George – as Anker attempts to help his brother recover his forgotten loot. It's a concept that's been praised for its sheer audacity and left some critics scratching their heads in confusion.
But while Mikkelsen's physical comedy is initially side-splitting, the overall tone has left many questioning Jensen's ability to deliver genuinely effective humour. Some reviewers have panned the film's execution as 'goofy' and 'humourless', suggesting that its reliance on 'humourless violence' falls flat.
Despite this polarised reception, comparisons with Lars von Trier's brand of black comedy suggest Jensen may be onto something here – even if it means embracing an 'unfunniness' that's intentionally part of the joke. The likes of Sofie Gråbøl add to the cast, bringing their own unique flair to the proceedings.
With UK streaming availability yet to be confirmed, fans will have to keep a close eye on cinema release schedules and major platforms for the chance to see if Jensen's 'The Last Viking' truly lives up to its bold premise or remains a misfired experiment in dark comedy.