⚔️💰Den sidste viking (2025) – Cast, Plot, Release Date, Review & Where to Watch: Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas Reunite in a Darkly Comic Heist Tale

The Vikings may have long vanished, but in Den sidste viking (The Last Viking), loyalty, betrayal, and madness collide in a black comedy crime drama that only Danish cinema could deliver. Directed and written by Anders Thomas Jensen, the master of mixing absurd humor with raw humanity, the film stars powerhouse duo Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, reuniting for another unforgettable ride.

Premiering out of competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, this twisted tale is set to hit Danish theaters on October 9, 2025.

🪓 Premise: Brothers, Buried Treasure, and Broken Minds

Anker (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas), a hardened bank robber, has spent 15 years behind bars. Before his arrest, he entrusted his brother Manfred (played by Mads Mikkelsen) with hiding the stolen loot.

But when Anker finally walks free, his brother is no longer the same man. Manfred has developed dissociative identity disorder, and his fractured mind refuses to reveal the money’s location.

What follows is a bizarre, tragicomic journey through memory, madness, and brotherhood—where the greatest battle isn’t against the law, but against the human mind itself.

“I buried it… but which me did it?” – Manfred

🎭 The Cast: Danish Legends Together Again

The film boasts an ensemble of some of Denmark’s finest actors:

• Nikolaj Lie Kaas as Anker – the ex-con desperate to reclaim his lost fortune.

• Mads Mikkelsen as Manfred – a man at war with his own identities.

• Sofie Gråbøl – in a pivotal role that adds emotional depth.

• Søren Malling, Bodil Jørgensen, Lars Brygmann, Kardo Razzazi, Nicolas Bro, and Peter Düring round out the cast with rich performances.

Jensen, known for his films like Men & Chicken and Flickering Lights, once again uses dark humor to explore human flaws, pushing his stars into both absurd and heartbreaking territory.

🏆 Venice Film Festival Spotlight

Although not competing for the Golden Lion, Den sidste viking drew significant attention at Venice 2025, with critics praising its daring mix of crime drama and psychological comedy. The film continues Denmark’s strong tradition of bringing sharp, offbeat stories to the global stage.

⚰️ Themes: The Last Viking Within

Despite its crime-comedy setup, the film explores deeper themes:

• Memory & Trauma – Can we trust our minds, or are they our greatest enemies?

• Brotherhood – Loyalty tested when family collides with greed.

• The Viking Spirit – The title reflects resilience: even when broken, one must fight on, like the last warrior standing.

It’s a story about modern outlaws who, in their own way, echo the chaotic honor of ancient Vikings.

📅 Release & Where to Watch

• World Premiere: August 30, 2025 (Venice International Film Festival)

• Denmark Theatrical Release: October 9, 2025

• Streaming & International Release: To be announced (expected on major platforms after the Danish run).

🎬 Final Thoughts

With Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas leading a stellar cast under Anders Thomas Jensen’s darkly comic direction, Den sidste viking promises to be one of 2025’s most original films. Mixing crime, comedy, and psychological drama, it asks a simple question:

What if the key to treasure isn’t gold, but memory itself?

⚔️💰 The Last Viking rides again on October 9, 2025.