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Expectations were high following Refn´s knockout debut "Pusher". The gritty realism of that movie is in part recreated in "Bleeder", but instead of just treading water and doing a Pusher remake, this is much more stylish in its theme and cinematography (e.g. the main characters´ names all start with L; Leo, Lenny, Lea etc. - almost every image seems meticulously composed and lit). The soundtrack seems to be more carefully chosen, supporting the emotions of the characters, seen in the great opening sequence. What ultimately makes Bleeder a minor film compared to Pusher, despite brilliant performances and a downbeat, even oppressive atmosphere, is a fatal lack of the kinetic energy of Pusher, which makes Bleeder a bit dull in spots. The scenes in the video store remind you of Clerks, but are not as funny, and a true movie fan would never mistake blaxploitation star Fred Williamson for Fred Williams (as mentioned in a scene between Bodnia and Mikkelsen), especially considering the hilarious scene in which Mikkelsen incredibly lists the video store´s selection of 50+ schlock directors. I admit that Bleeder has a way of staying with you afterwards, but I had expected a bit more from Refn. Rumours of star Bodnia being committed to a mental institution following the final days of shooting were false and exaggerated by the tabloid press.

BLEEDER is the follow-up to Nicolas Winding Refn's Danish debut, PUSHER. I think it's a better film in every respect, even if it is less well known: the story, of family dysfunction and human relationships, is brimming with power, and by turns tragic, bleak, and ultimately devastating.

The story sees Leo (Kim Bodnia, of PUSHER fame), attempting to adapt to family life when he finds out his girlfriend's pregnant. Along the way, he continues uneasy friendships with the racist Louis, his girlfriend's brother, and Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen), a loner who works at the local video shop. Of course things eventually become very dark indeed, and more harrowing and shocking than they were in PUSHER.

Refn elicits some excellent performances from his cast, not least from Bodnia, who is quietly terrifying throughout this. A glimmer of hope and humour comes from the presence of the outstanding Mikkelsen, who is my favourite character; the video shop setting allows for plenty of cultural references for film fans. Watch out for PUSHER's Zlatko Buric as another friend. By the end, I felt like I'd done ten rounds in the ring: BLEEDER is that kind of film, and excellent with it.

As much as I enjoyed the super-hyped Dogma movies 'Festen', and 'Mifune', going by 'Bleeder' the real Danish director to watch is Nicolas Refn. He's an exciting talent, and will probably give Lars Von Trier a run for his money in a few films time. 'Bleeder' features a superb performance from Kim Bodnia ('Nattevagten'). He plays Leo, a guy who on the surface seems pretty normal, but who begins to crack up after his girlfriend Louise (Rikke Louise Andersson) unexpectedly announces her pregnancy, and he witnesses a shooting. This begins a descent into a living hell. The movie's bleak and depressing world view is balanced by the bittersweet sub-plot concerning video nerd Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen), and his attempt to "get a life". The scenes showing Lenny working in a to-die-for video store will make most film buffs drool! Lenny rattles off the stores inventory in a funny scene, and the movie is full of film talk from Lindsay Anderson to Fred Williamson, and even includes clips from William Lustig's exploitation classics 'Maniac' and 'Vigilante'. Refn definitely knows his stuff! 'Bleeder' is a powerful and unforgettable movie comparable to the films of Gaspar Noe ('I Stand Alone', 'Irreversible') and Gary Oldman's 'Nil by Mouth'. Depressing yes, but highly recommended viewing.

When Nicolas Winding Refn gets Zlatko Buric, Mads Mikkelsen and Kim Bodnia together a good movie is a must. Please, disregard narrow IMDb genre classification of the film as "Horror" or "Thriller" as it is the way the movie looks to some five year old child who has not understood anything seen. This art work is a modern life drama colored by David Lynch camera and portrayed by spirit of Bunuel. Excellent art work by well known Danish film school. I said "modern" drama since the movie is getting into the core of the present social structure of the modern world. It shows a depressive slice of our little lives that are being cultivated in silence of violence, loneliness, alienation and lost life course, leading to self-destruction. Dark as our presence. One more good job for Nicolas Winding Refn.

The first half or so is witty and makes you giggle (dialogues resemble Tarantino's movies), then the depiction of a trivial wife-battering becomes dominant and the other story-line (Lenny's and Kitjo's world) get less attention, although Lenny is the most peculiar and distinctive character. With the appearance of a mob and a gun, the film gets more catchy twists, leading to an inevitable solution. The very ending, however, is too numb, a British-style prank could have been in place.

As for the cast, the male stars are fabulous again, especially Mads Mikkelsen (probably the most versatile living Danish actor) and Kim Bodnia (I like him most in The Bridge though); female performers are less uninviting. By the way, why all the leading characters' names begin with L?

Bleeder is okay, but I liked the Pusher trilogy and Drive more.

Nicolas Winding Refn, the genius behind the excellent "Pusher" sets new standards for danish movies with his new opus "Bleeder". Leo, played by the magnificent actor Kim Bodnia, is gradually going insane as his wife gets pregnant. He feels his life fade away and asks himself how he can put a child into a world that's raw and how they can afford to have one.

The atmosphere is two parts Scorcese's "Taxi Driver" and one part Franz Kafka's "Der Prozess", not very moody in other words. A sub-story about Leo's buddy searching for a girl relieves the pressure a bit, which is for the better as it also adds depth to the movie.

The violence feels very realistic and is sometimes even hard to watch, it's like it all is happening for real. The realistic approach makes this movie feel fresh and not like something you've seen before. After I saw this movie I was left with an uneasy feeling in my stomach and I knew I've seen something very rear and very good.

Nicolas Winding Refn is worth the highest of praise for making a movie like this. It's just what European moviemaking needs.

9/10

I really enjoy Copenhagen filmmakers making films about Copenhagen. It's always the saddest most lonely on Earth and it's so my style of taste.

Small apartments, handheld camera style that is so digital that all of the blacks Colors are crushed. Seeing a Copenhagen that is decayed and old and stagnet graffiti all over the place and just a feeling of sadness it is such a mood film and the vibe is amazing.

And the actors feel so real the way they talk they move it doesn't feel like they are in a movie. It feels like they're just talking like normal Copenhagen scumbags.

I'm shocked by how much racism is in movie it really is a Copenhagen for before I was self aware . It feels so weird seeing this places I know today, but just different.

Ad just the toxic way the people of this movie are to each other at themselves is a real eye opener for the time this movie was made.

Some of the scenes left me hyperventilating because of how tins and uncomfortable they were I'm thinking specifically of the home theater scene.

Just an amazing time capsule of the low of Copenhagen society.

I remember seeing Bleeder way back in 2004, it was one of the first international films I saw via a DVD shop in UK.

I was becoming incredibly pi$$ed off and fed up with Hollywood mainstream crap at the cinema and on DVD so I ventured into international cinema.

After I saw Bleeder, I felt a wave of awesomeness go over me. I felt alive. It was one of the best films I'd seen in YEARS.

It was so refreshing and meaningful. Packed with substance.

I was very impressed with the acting.

Since then, I've become a big fan of Refn, and I absolutely love the Pusher trilogy.

Its a shame gems like Bleeder never get the recognition they deserve, but plastic hollow over rated Hollywood $hit does.

Top film. See it!!!!!

I really wanted to like 'Bleeder' – a Danish thriller with a young Mads Mikkelsen and The Bridge's Kim Bodnia. It started off well – it introduced us to four men who hung around together with a mutual love of films. This led to some nice dialogue exchanges which built character and created a genuine atmosphere among them. However, the best thing about the build up was the sense that something not very nice was brewing and it was all going to explode sooner or later. Unfortunately, it all exploded later rather than sooner.

Yes, there were a couple of pretty horribly dark moments towards the end of the film, but we're talking VERY near the end of the film. Therefore, by the time you've got the pay-off you've been waiting for it's all over.

Now, I can hear the fans of the movie claiming that I hate films with slow build up that focus on character development and that the only movies I watch involve car chases and over-used CGI. That's not true. I have nothing against slower non-Hollywood output. In fact, I prefer them to constant Michael Bay-style offerings. It's just in this case I felt everything that was good (and there was a lot of good) just seemed not enough when it came to the minuscule moments of 'pay offs.' I just sat there through one long drawn out dialogue scene after the next waiting for something that, when it did finally come, seemed like too little too late.

There's also a romantic sub-plot that seems to be have been crowbarred in. And, finally, there's Mikkelsen himself. When it was all over I realised that his character (despite being one quarter of the film's protagonists) could probably have been omitted all together.

Bleeder is a good film. There's too much right with it to condemn it all together. It will definitely have an audience, but just don't expect wall-to-wall fight scenes or explosions. It's the very definition of a 'slow burner.'

So I travel from Sweden to Copenhagen to see a movie, paying about 15 bucks for the trip, and another 10 for the movie. 25 bucks for a movie???? Was it worth it????

Damn right it was, this is Nicholas Winding Refn´s second feature, and after his masterful debut: Pusher I really had my hopes up. And boy was it good.

The tempo is a little slower than Pusher, but it really suits the movie. It´s got great dialogue that kinda reminded me of Clerks in some places, especially the scenes in the videostore. The theme of the movie in my mind is about men, and our problems with talking to each other and to women. Sure there are scenes with really disturbing and realistic violence. But I feel it has more in common with John Cassavettes, than Abel Ferrara and Martin Scorsese that I think were refn inspirations for Pusher.

The actors are brilliant all around, especially Mads Mikkelsen who does a fantastic performance as a filmgeek, with major problems when it comes to talking and being around girls. And Kim Bodnia gives a really introspective performance that proves his status as one of europe´s if not the whole worlds best actors.

All in all a very powerful, and intense movie that is a must see

"Bleeder" following "Pusher" is the second part of a trilogy. Like "Pusher" it's really powerful stuff, but not quite as gripping. Leo( Kim Bodina) gives a wonderful portrait of a disturbed man at odds with life. He teases, insults, provokes, has a violent temper and is quick to retaliate. Not a man to be trusted with a gun. He is his own worst enemy.

In the film the "fades" are done in blood red. See the film and you'll discover why. As in "Pusher" the photography is top class. The introduction of the characters in the opening scene is interesting, Shoes probably do reflect our character.

Despite the rather sordid unhappy atmosphere of the film. there is some light relief particularly in the video store where the young Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen) sorts the video "returns". Lenny is a misfit too but harmless in his own way. Shy of nature he can't keep an appointment with the girl in the coffee shop. Lenny lives in a fantasy world of films and videos and he can recite the names of all the directors. (This never-ending recitation done with a dead pan expression is an unexpected bonus and really got me laughing!}

I like the dialogue. It's sparse, direct, tense, cutting, provoking. But it's the body language that threatens. Kim Bodina is an expert at revealing the innermost thoughts of his being. You can feel the tense atmosphere boiling within him. You know full well that something terrible is about to happen.

This is drama plus. I can hardly wait for the third part of the trilogy.

A complete surprise. Had no idea what I was getting into. As fine as anything by Scorcese, with some similarities to Taxi Driver. An enormous breath of fresh air compared to the awful Hollywood machine. The scenes are real, intense, sometimes violent, always moving. Geniune. This film maker is the real thing. The acting is impeccable. I personally don't care much for symbolism, meta-cinema or the like, but instead prefer a real and dramatic experience. This movie provides all of the above--and that is a rare treat. Someone compared this to Kubrick--there is some of that but what is really different here is the emotion. Kubrick is always (or almost always) dry, sterile, unemotional, stiff. Bleeder is moving--it even at times has some of the emotionalism of a melodrama, but it always remains a drama.

A wicked drama by the guy who did The Pusher trilogy. A slow burning story about an abusive boyfriend, an over protective brother and a film obsessed video store clerk.

Very gritty and a lot of times pretty disturbing which made this thing rock. Some of the cast from The Pusher films are in this making it even more enjoyable.

It was neat seeing how big the video store was. All VHS as well which means it probably doesn't exist anymore. Even more impressive was the bookstore the woman goes into.

It's Danish so you will have to read it.

With this film coming out several years after Pusher, giving Nicolas Winding Refn plenty of time to work on it, with basically the same cast as Pusher and apparently a bigger budget, I guess I expected more than this. While Pusher was an impressive and gritty look at the underground of Copenhagen, this is just a slightly unrealistic psychological profile of a loser who finds his wife having a baby to be the final straw. The film is about Leo, who hates almost everything about his life. When he finds himself pushed in the background for the baby his wife is to give birth to soon, he flips out and sets a load of bad stuff coming his way in motion. The plot is pretty good, I guess, but it just didn't seem as good as the plot of Pusher. The pacing is fair, but the film too often seems to stand still. The acting was mostly great. The characters are somewhat interesting and credible, but they were too underdeveloped(even more so than those of Pusher), so we rarely understand why they do what they do. The score is great, though it is overly noisy and annoying at times, most of the time it fits in well with the character were watching and his or her state of mind. The cinematography is less interesting and involving than that of Pusher. Less movement, and when there finally is movement, it seems off. The directorial style of Pusher is still there, and this is what makes the film enjoyable and watchable. However, too much time is spent wondering why him or her is doing this and that, and in the end I found that even with a fair bit of analyzing, I can't make heads or tails of the film. I don't know... maybe my expectations were too high. I recommend this to very big fans of director Nicolas W. Refn and/or Pusher. 7/10

The director's debut, "Pusher", was an excellent tribute to American Cinema (Abel Ferrara, Scorsese) and a portrait of the drugworld of Copenhagen but "Bleeder" is much more personal, mature and grim film. The story deals with the relationship of four friends (& B-filmfanatics); a videostoreowner, his helper, a soon-be-a-dad and his girl's violent brother. Things gets complicated between the last two when the guy starts beatin' his pregnant girl and the brother's threatin' to retaliate. When the girl loses her unborn baby after a beatin' things get VERY ugly! There's no real reason for the violence which makes the mood of the movie extremely creepy. The characters and dialogue are very believable and impossible to forget. The few (very) violent scenes are so unexpected that you'll jump in seat. The film are also filled with nods to exploitation cinema (clip from Lustig's "Maniac" & "Vigilante", "Andy Warhol's Frankenstein" etc.). It's made on a low budget but is beautifully filmed (and acted) with a great glampunk soundtrack. "Bleeder" is a movie that gets under your skin for days so check out this masterpiece.

Decent, but quite forgettable.

A second flick from director Nicolas Winding Refn, as he gets all the old 'Pusher' gang back together: Kim Bodnia, Mads Mikkelsen and Zlatko Buric return onscreen together. The latter two are wasted, aside from some quips about cinema (I know Letterboxd ate that up!) and one aimless relationship subplot. I like what Bodnia provides as lead, even if his performance isn't too far adrift from what he gives in that aforementioned 1996 release.

There is at least one scene involving an injection that will remain in my mind (not that it made the most sense, given the character's connection with the injecter's sibling but...). Aside from that though, I don't think 'Bleeder' offers all that much in my opinion. 6/10.

While visiting in London, I watched Bleeder. I liked it a lot. Haven't seen any other Danish films, but this one is great. One of the other people commenting here said it was made on a low budget. I certainly wouldn't say it showed heavily. There's no real expensive shots (crowd scenes, explosions, etc), but everything is shot to scale and looks good. Especially the cinematography. This and the acting are perhaps the strongest elements of the film. I kept watching how they had framed each shot and how they would do those angles where one person is in the forground facing the camera with an expression on their face while the other person is off in the background waiting for the foreground person to turn back around. Great! I hope this movie gets distributed in the US.

This sucked. I only watched it because "pusher" was entertaining. The only good thing about this is that filmmakers can see how a hand-held camera, and available lighting can make a film cheap and fast. Bummer.

I was amused to see how white racism is universal. As a black person from the U.S., it was interesting to hear Danish Muslims referred to as "niggers" when they looked like white folks to me. I guess all non-whites are "niggers" when you feel threatened by immigrants. Sad.

I'm not sure i would watch any of the directors other work based on this. Like I said before "Pusher" was engaging, and you were sucked into that world. Here, you just didn't care.

Detractors may highlight the unnecessary violence in this stylish piece of film-making. But pay them no attention. N. Refn's 2nd feature is cutting it pretty close when it comes to assessing life's terrible lessons.

Using almost the same cast as he did in his debut (Pusher), Bleeder tells the story of how a father-to-be deals with his impending fate. It addresses his current state of mind, his readjustment of values and how all this would adversely affect the people around him. The violence is necessary as the characters emanate from the streets and one can only infer, from the several scenes, that the neighbourhood is rough and littered with gangs and racial tension.

There is also a secondary story about the budding relationship between a video store clerk and a well-read waitress which is as sweet as it is subtle. It's interesting to note that their tastes in videos and books are pretty gritty as well.

Nicolas Winding Refn has personally invariably proved to be a hit-and-miss director. As far as his imagination rarely falters, the overall concept ranges from drab to enticing, whilst the content takes a back-seat to style. Here Refn seems intent on borrowing from the best to bring about his own amalgamate. "Bleeder" starts off with a pacey intro reminiscent of Guy Ritchie type character introduction - here Refn introduces us by presenting the shoes of our protagonists strolling down the street - featuring pulsating techno music for the chaps and more romantic drivel for the women.

From then on setting is formed, which seems like a poor man's "The Clerks" - not a reference to money given Kevin Smith debut feature was a no-budget flick, but to the fact that "Bleeder" consists of fickle, impoverished diatribes about films, which take place in a labyrinth video rental, in which one of the character Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen) works. The senseless poorly drafted cinephile bickering thankfully doesn't survive the duration, slowly sifting into darker territory and focusing attention on key protagonist Leo (Kim Bodnia), who leads a worn existence, working at a dead-end job, now further distraught by the news that his wife Loiuse (Rikke Louise Andersson) is pregnant. When Leo starts falling into his self-made trap, he slowly starts exposing his anger outward, slowly but surely going raging Scorsese - buying a gun and beating on his wife. The most striking homage naturally directs us at Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange".

Once this sequence starts dominating the picture, the subplot, which at one time seemed like equally relevant disappears, casting doubt into the whole plot construction. Refn seems to utilise the other characters as other examples of self-made traps. Whilst Leo is struggling with his invisible leash, where his manhood pride is striped and replaced with a domestic collar, his best mate Lenny remains engulfed by the world of film, unable even to reach out and entertain a relationship with Lea (Liv Corfixen), a waitress, who he quietly admires from afar. Interestingly Lenny, lost in his towering shelves of movies, seems the perfect fit for Lea, who conversely drops into boundless tomes of books. Neither Leo nor Lenny seem capable of escaping their prisons, instead bleeding away their lives - Leo doing so literally.

Refn reuses the same actors from the now cult classic "Pusher", mostly to good effect. However, he fails to offer the same well-strung narrative, instead delivering an poorly written talkative opening hour, that dissipates interest in the more dynamic - and somewhat shockingly out-of-place - denouement. Refn also wields his weapons heavy-handedly, first having us engage with the main character Leo, only to swiftly punch us in the bowels once he recoils back at his dreary reality. Not the first time it has been done, but the lazy start further alienates the viewers, therefore effectively waking someone up, not shocking the systems.

From a personal angle the issues of stolen masculinity, which were pushed to the forefront by the director, were ill-received ailings of a thankfully (hopefully?) bygone era.

Leo and Louise are a young couple living together in Copenhagen. Leo often goes out with his friends while Louise usually stays home. But when Louise tells Leo she's pregnant, a spark is ignited and Leo begins to become cold and distant. His anger and self-hatred finally erupt into violence against Louise (plot).

Nicolas Winding Refn, the genius behind many good films like "Pusher" and lately the best film in 2011 "Drive" write and direct fine film and present this in tow parts First in Leo character and his problem with his wife, Scend in Lenny character and how the filmgeek turn to a normal guy with girls.

The actors are brilliant all around, especially Mads Mikkelsen who does a fantastic performance as a filmgeek, with major problems when it comes to talking and being around girls. And Kim Bodnia gives a really introspective performance that proves his status as one of europe's if not the whole worlds best actors.

The film was great and worth watching, i love everything in this film the conversation between the characters was great especially when they talk about films, the bloody scene well made by the staff .. and the last few seconds when the light off in the restaurant Lenny & Lea staring each other!.

4/5

This is a masterful film. It is unbelievably intense, bleak, visceral and chilling. Its depiction of violence is so incredibly shocking, the nightclub scene and Leo's 2nd beating of his partner are so uncomfortable, but yet you can't stop watching. Lenny is a relatable character and a seemingly clear director self-insert, his story has glimmers of true hope which contrasts greatly with Leo's rage-filled tale.

A gripping, bleak and realistic film which is masterfully crafted by Refn.