Riders of Justice

IMDB thought that if I like this movie I should watch Nobody. The suggestions algorithm needs some serious improvements. If US could produce a revenge movie that was even half of what Riders for Justice stands for then I wouldn't mind giving them another go but I seriously doubt they'll ever get to the same level ever with scandinavian cinema and storytelling. So anyone out there that is fed up by John Wick mania give this one a go.

In the US we associate indies with sub-par film-making. Because they are cheap productions destined to fill the pipeline for some low-end cable channel, and most of the cash never makes it to the screen. This Danish gem is the exception to the rule. For a tight $5.0 mil budget we not only get top production values and acting, but a story that defies expectations at every turn. Tarantino meets Keystone Cops. Engaging. A treat. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

'Riders Of Justice (2020)' is an anti-revenge thriller. Though it has moments of more traditional genre fare, it's far more interested in exploring its broken characters and potent underlying themes than it is in providing cathartically violent thrills. The piece is mostly a meditative drama about grief, trauma, family and healing. It also features a fair bit of rumination on coincidence and causality, ultimately positing that trying to trace exactly why things happen is as painfully pointless as it is practically impossible. It's a melancholic movie that dismantles not only the inherently harmful concept of vengeance, but also the culture of toxic masculinity that prevents many men from productively coming to terms with the trauma they've faced. The protagonist expresses his atheism early on and warns his daughter of the perils of assigning meaning to meaningless things, then spends much of the flick attempting to do exactly the same thing, searching for someone who he can blame for his horrific situation. For him, violence is the default response; he's much more comfortable pointing a gun at someone - and, even, pulling the trigger - than he is reconciling his own emotions. Sometimes, bad things happen. That's all there is to it. Of course, it'd be easier if there was always someone - or something - to blame for the bad things that we experience, but there often just isn't and that's okay. This is an incredibly poignant and relevant thematic underpinning. The film's exploration of it is both thought-provoking and emotionally affecting. It elevates the overall affair to something much more viscerally impactful than you'd perhaps expect. It's an intelligent, intriguing and extremely technically competent experience that never quite does what you expect it to. Its oddball characters are highly compelling, its performances are heartbreakingly realistic, its humour is often unexpectedly effective, its general vibe is very empathetic and its overall message is surprisingly hopeful. Its drama is as enjoyable as its infrequent but punchy action. It's a phenomenal picture that's as traditionally entertaining as it is thematically rich and emotionally resonant. As of now, it's my favourite film of 2021 (based on its UK release date). 8/10.

A darkly funny & emotionally riveting slice of Danish delight that's brought to life with the right amount of care, compassion & subversiveness, Riders of Justice makes for an amusing, heartbreaking & thoroughly captivating comedy of errors that balances simple co-incidences with clever orchestrations and is greatly uplifted by its handful of quirky characters who are brilliantly rendered by its fabulous cast.

Written & directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, the premise setup is quick, character introductions are swift and while humour is detectable in the most unlikely of places, the emotional beats do brim with an honesty & depth that shines through. Jensen is sensible in handling the themes of loss, grief, neglect, abuse & sidelined morality in pursuit of vengeance, and has a clear grasp of his characters' inner turmoil.

The story comes packed with hilarious segments no doubt but where it warms the heart most is the way these idiosyncratic folks, all broken in their own ways, come together to help a grieving family bond & become whole again. Mads Mikkelsen is reliable as always but the supporting cast is right up there with him throughout the journey. Everyone chips in with deftly measured inputs & leaves behind nothing to complain about.

Overall, Riders of Justice is humorous, poignant & refreshing in the zaniest of ways and is an action-comedy of heartfelt warmth & surprising intimacy. The chemistry & interplay between the geeks & muscle allows for wholesome entertainment and the finale is cathartic in ways that just fits. To sum it up, this Danish revenge-thriller is a roller-coaster ride that promises plenty of fun, is sincere in its emotions, and has its heart at the right place.

A bunch of misfits, most with anger issues, try to go on a rampage, led by a PTSD-suffering Mads Mikkelsen.

This movie features many of the best male danish actors. It has strong perfomances and a laugh-out riot dialogue, especially from the supporting cast, that you have to hear to believe.

It's not a revenge-movie per se, but deals with issues like parenthood, friendship, and forgiveness. Because of this, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and think it's the best movie to come out from Denmark in years.