Valhalla Rising (2009)
Nicolas Winding Refn's hypnotic Viking odyssey starring Mads Mikkelsen as a mute warrior on a mythic journey into darkness.
Valhalla Rising - Movie Information
- Original Title: Valhalla Rising
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Action, Fantasy
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 4, 2009 (Italy), April 30, 2010 (United Kingdom - 15), November 5, 2010 (Germany - 16), March 9, 2010 (France - 12), May 14, 2021 (Spain - 16)
- Alternative Titles: Valhalla Rising : Le Guerrier des ténèbres (CA), ヴァルハラ・ライジング (JP), Le Guerrier silencieux, Valhalla Rising (FR), תקומת ולהלה (IL), A vikingek felemelkedése (HU), Valhalla Rising (ES), Valhalla: Mroczny wojownik (PL)
- Production Companies: BBC Film, La Belle Allee Productions, NWR Film Productions, One Eye Production, Savalas Audio Post-Production, Nimbus Film
- Production Countries: Denmark, United Kingdom
Valhalla Rising - Plot
Scandinavia, 1,000 AD. For years, One Eye, a mute warrior of supernatural strength, has been held prisoner by the Norse chieftain Barde. Aided by Are, a boy slave, One Eye slays his captor and together he and Are escape, beginning a journey into the heart of darkness. On their flight, One Eye and Are board a Viking vessel, but the ship is soon engulfed by an endless fog that clears only as the crew sights an unknown land. As the new world reveals its secrets and the Vikings confront their terrible and bloody fate, One Eye discovers his true self.
Valhalla Rising - Trailer
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Valhalla Rising - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nicolas Winding Refn
Main Cast
- Mads Mikkelsen
- Gary Lewis
- Jamie Sives
- Ewan Stewart
- Alexander Morton
- Callum Mitchell
- Andrew Flanagan
- Douglas Russell
- Maarten Stevenson
- Gordon Brown
Writers
- Nicolas Winding Refn
- Roy Jacobsen
Producers
- Johnny Andersen
- Henrik Danstrup
- Bo Ehrhardt
Valhalla Rising - FAQs
What does the ending of Valhalla Rising mean?
The ending is widely interpreted as One Eye fulfilling a mythic, sacrificial destiny. Having guided the Vikings to the New World — possibly a vision of hell or purgatory — he surrenders himself to the indigenous warriors without resistance, suggesting he has accepted his fate and completed a spiritual journey beyond ordinary human understanding.
Who plays One Eye in Valhalla Rising?
Mads Mikkelsen plays One Eye, the mute warrior at the center of the film. Mikkelsen delivers an almost entirely wordless performance, conveying ferocity, mystery, and a haunting inner life through physicality alone. The role is widely regarded as one of his most striking and unconventional screen performances.
What is Valhalla Rising about?
Set in Scandinavia around 1000 AD, Valhalla Rising follows One Eye, a mute slave of supernatural strength who escapes captivity with a young boy. They join a Viking crew sailing into an impenetrable fog, eventually reaching an unknown land where the journey becomes a hallucinatory descent into violence, myth, and existential reckoning.
Is Valhalla Rising based on a true story?
Valhalla Rising is not based on a specific true story. However, it draws loosely on Norse mythology, Viking Age history, and the historical possibility of Norse explorers reaching North America centuries before Columbus. Director Nicolas Winding Refn conceived it as a mythic, visionary work rather than a historical account.
Where can you stream Valhalla Rising?
Valhalla Rising is available to stream on Shudder, AMC+ Amazon Channel, and Philo. It can also be watched free with ads on Pluto TV, or for free via Kanopy and Plex. Rental and purchase options are available on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who directed Valhalla Rising?
Valhalla Rising was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the Danish filmmaker known for his visceral visual style and genre-defying narratives. Refn co-wrote the screenplay with Roy Jacobsen. The film was a deeply personal project for Refn, made between his Pusher trilogy and his international breakthrough with Drive (2011).
What is the age rating for Valhalla Rising?
Valhalla Rising is rated NR (Not Rated) in the United States. The film contains extreme graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery. It received a 15 certificate in the United Kingdom and a 16 rating in Germany and Spain, reflecting its intense and challenging content unsuitable for younger audiences.
How long is Valhalla Rising?
Valhalla Rising has a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes (93 minutes). Despite its relatively compact length, the film is deliberately paced, using long silences, sparse dialogue, and hypnotic visuals to create an immersive, meditative atmosphere that feels expansive and mythic in scope.
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