No. 24

Subtle, delicate, true Scandinavian style.

A touching real story, presented in a non cliché way.

Went for it on a random Friday night, with zero expectations, but ended up surprisingly engaged ever since the beginning, and eventually sobbing at the end of it.

Sjur Vatne Brean gives a compelling performance and I believe that he managed to embrace successfully the core of Gunnar Sønsteby's personality and show it on screen.

A breath a fresh air on the scene of WWII-themed movies. A must-watch for everyone interested in this part of modern history or just a fan of some good Scandinavian cinema.

This was surprisingly good! Seeing it was coming, I was like "Right, another movie that's only there to one-dimensionally worship a Norwegian war hero, so that we can feel like the good guys."

Well, for one thing, it's kind of hard to avoid with Sønsteby, as the facts show he _was_ a hero in a lot of ways. And yet he gets thoroughly challenged in the present-day part of the narrative. This provides important nuance. The Resistance reportedly killed 82 of their own countrymen. Maybe it's naive to think there was a good (enough) reason in each case.

This movie has at least 3 things going for it: First of all, suspenseful pacing - you're not bored for a second.

Second of all, the lead actors, especially for young Sønsteby. Sjur Vatne Brean. What a talent, and what perfect casting! It's ironic, because Sønsteby survived partly by being inconspicuous and in control of his emotions. However, that wouldn't work on the big screen. Brean is good-looking and charismatic, and an actor can't be stone-faced.

He is still very believable as a man of integrity and authority, while his face shows the toll it all takes on him.

You'd be forgiven for wondering if he ever considered dropping the sixpence - in the movie universe, all the Nazis really had to do was look for the only guy who wears a sixpence all the damn time! Inside and outside, in cafés, offices... In real life it was commonwear; in the movie I don't remember seeing anyone else wearing one!

Again, though, in a movie you have to establish the lead character. The silhouette with the sixpence is iconic. His trademark. If not every Norwegian instantly recognized it before this movie, they will now. And who knows, maybe it will become a symbol of resistance, freedom, and democracy again, in the times we might have ahead.

Third of all, the movie is smartly plotted, with a nice twist that ties back to the beginning, while at the same time touching on the movie's central theme. This sets it apart from the typical biopic or war movie.

It's nice to have someone and something to believe in, especially in our uneasy times. This movie reminded me of that. And the hero doesn't need to be perfect for that, just believable in his qualities.

"Number 24" is a deeply moving Norwegian film that dives into a war-torn environment, where notions of resistance, freedom, and the sacred duty of liberation clash with the equally profound values of friendship and the ultimate sanctity of human life. It's a story that doesn't offer easy answers but instead asks us to sit with the complexities of human choices in impossible situations.

The audience is drawn into a delicate and artful struggle of emotions, questioning the very nature of what is right and wrong. This subjectivity feels especially raw in the chaos of war, where morality becomes fluid and every decision carries immense weight.

With breathtaking performances and stunning cinematography, the film portrays the harshness of its setting while highlighting the fragile beauty of human connection. It's a story that stays with you, making you reflect on what truly matters when ideals and lives are on the line.

A must-watch for anyone who appreciates emotionally charged storytelling that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

I have to admit, I'm not usually a big fan of Scandinavian movies. But when I saw Number 24 on Netflix today, I thought, "Why not give it a try?" I'm so glad I did!

The movie exceeded my expectations with its sharp dialogues, well-developed characters, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. It felt like every detail was perfectly crafted.

As someone from Southern Europe, I don't know much about World War II in Scandinavia, but this film offered a fresh perspective. The cinematography was stunning, and the storytelling was so engaging.

It's a must-watch! I'd give it a solid 9/10. Bravo to the creators!

Nice movie with a flair of documentary. >90% of the content is a movie but a minority of the time there is a very nice interplay with the real man who is represented in the movie. It makes it very very personal and you see the seriousness of war and having been in the Norwegian resistance. It is very nicely written up and the story is solid and filmography is good. The only thing I missed is how the person went to London from occupied Norway. That has been left out at one of the most exiting part of the movie. It left the story a bit incomplete although it would not have added anything to the messsge of freedom which seemed to be paramount to the makers of the movie.