“Valhalla Rising” (2009) is a striking and atmospheric historical drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. The film is a blend of stark violence, philosophical musings, and mystical elements, set in the harsh world of the Viking era. It stars Mads Mikkelsen as One-Eye, a mute, brutal warrior who embarks on a spiritual and physical journey with a group of Christian Norsemen. The film is known for its slow pace, intense visuals, and enigmatic narrative, making it more of an existential exploration than a traditional action film.

Plot Overview

The story is divided into six chapters, each presenting a different stage of One-Eye’s journey. At the start, One-Eye is a mute slave, imprisoned and forced to fight to the death in brutal contests by his pagan captors. He is a ferocious and undefeated warrior, known for his ruthless efficiency in battle. Eventually, One-Eye escapes from captivity, killing his captors with the help of a young boy named Are (Maarten Stevenson), who begins to follow him.

Together, they join a group of Christian Vikings who are on a crusade to reach the Holy Land and spread Christianity. However, after setting sail, the journey goes awry, and the group finds themselves lost in a strange, barren land. The once-zealous Christians begin to lose their faith as they encounter hardships, while One-Eye’s silent presence grows more mystical and intimidating. As their journey unfolds, it becomes clear that they are on a spiritual voyage as much as a physical one, with themes of faith, death, and destiny at the forefront.

Key Characters

• One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen): The film’s mute, enigmatic protagonist, One-Eye is a primal force of violence and survival. Despite his brutal nature, he seems to possess a deeper spiritual connection to the world around him. Mikkelsen’s performance is almost entirely non-verbal, relying on intense physical acting to convey One-Eye’s inner turmoil and purpose.
• Are (Maarten Stevenson): A young boy who escapes with One-Eye and serves as his guide and companion. Are’s innocence and vulnerability stand in stark contrast to One-Eye’s violent existence, and he often interprets One-Eye’s actions for the group of Vikings.
• Christian Vikings: The group of Viking warriors who are on a religious crusade to the Holy Land. They begin their journey with religious fervor, but as they become lost and desperate, their faith is tested. Their leader, Kare (Gary Lewis), represents blind zealotry, while others in the group begin to question their purpose and existence.

Themes

• Faith and Religion: Valhalla Rising explores the collision between Christianity and paganism during the Viking era. The Christian Vikings are on a mission to spread their faith, but as they descend into chaos and despair, their belief system begins to crumble. One-Eye, who embodies a more primal and pagan spirituality, seems to represent something older and more elemental than the organized religion of the Vikings.
• Violence and Survival: The film is unflinchingly brutal, with scenes of raw violence that reflect the harshness of the world the characters inhabit. One-Eye is a survivor in this brutal landscape, but his violence is portrayed as something both necessary and mystical. The film raises questions about the nature of violence and its role in both survival and spiritual enlightenment.
• Existentialism and Destiny: At its core, Valhalla Rising is an existential film that contemplates fate, death, and the meaning of life. The Vikings’ journey into the unknown reflects a quest for meaning in an indifferent universe. One-Eye, in his silent and stoic way, seems to accept the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life.
• Mysticism and the Supernatural: One-Eye’s character is imbued with a mystical presence. His single eye is reminiscent of the Norse god Odin, the all-seeing god of wisdom and war. Throughout the film, there are surreal and hallucinatory sequences that blur the line between reality and the supernatural, suggesting that One-Eye’s journey may be as much spiritual as physical.

Visuals and Cinematography

One of the film’s most striking features is its visual style. Shot in the rugged landscapes of Scotland, the film uses its bleak, natural surroundings to create a stark and foreboding atmosphere. The barren mountains, fog-covered valleys, and desolate rivers serve as metaphors for the characters’ internal struggles and the harshness of their world.

The cinematography, led by Morten Søborg, is slow and deliberate, with long, lingering shots that emphasize the isolation of the characters and the vast emptiness of the land they traverse. The use of muted colors, particularly grays, browns, and blues, adds to the sense of desolation, while bursts of red during the violent sequences provide visceral contrast.

Tone and Atmosphere

Valhalla Rising is a meditative, almost hypnotic film. It is not action-packed, but rather focused on creating a slow-burn atmosphere that draws the viewer into the inner lives of its characters. The film’s tone is somber, with an undercurrent of dread as the characters venture deeper into unknown territory. The sparse dialogue, combined with Mads Mikkelsen’s silent performance, makes the film feel more like a visual poem or a myth brought to life.

The sound design and the minimalist score by Peter Peter and Peter Kyed further enhance the mood, with ambient noises, such as wind and water, adding to the eerie, otherworldly feel of the film.

Performances

• Mads Mikkelsen gives a powerful, almost wordless performance as One-Eye. His physical presence and expressive face convey a wealth of emotion without the need for dialogue. Mikkelsen’s portrayal of One-Eye as a stoic yet mysterious figure adds to the film’s mythic quality.
• Maarten Stevenson as Are serves as the emotional counterpoint to One-Eye. His youthful innocence and fear contrast with One-Eye’s hardened demeanor, and his role as a narrator and interpreter provides context for much of the film’s philosophical themes.

Reception and Legacy

Valhalla Rising received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its bold visual style and philosophical depth, while others found its slow pace and ambiguity off-putting. However, it has since gained a cult following among fans of auteur-driven cinema and existential storytelling.

For those who appreciate minimalist storytelling and are willing to embrace the film’s slow, deliberate pace, Valhalla Rising offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. Its exploration of faith, violence, and the human condition sets it apart from more traditional historical or action films, making it a distinctive entry in both the Viking genre and Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography.

Conclusion

Valhalla Rising (2009) is an atmospheric, meditative film that explores themes of faith, violence, and the human condition through the journey of a mute warrior in the Viking era. With its stunning visuals, minimal dialogue, and existential tone, the film challenges traditional storytelling and offers a unique cinematic experience. Though it may not be for everyone due to its slow pace and abstract narrative, Valhalla Rising is a visually captivating and thematically rich film that leaves a lasting impression.