The Last Viking
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to The Last Viking
"The Last Viking (2025)" is a Danish/Swedish black comedy film directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, known for his unique blend of dark humor and violence. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2025, and subsequently had a theatrical release in Denmark on October 9, 2025. It stars Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas as two estranged brothers. The plot follows Anker, an ex-convict, who seeks to retrieve hidden bank robbery money, only to discover his brother Manfred has developed dissociative identity disorder and believes he is John Lennon. This premise leads to a chaotic journey as they confront childhood traumas and navigate a world of eccentric characters. The film is targeted at a mature audience, primarily adults and mature teens, due to its themes of mental illness, graphic violence, and dark comedic tone, which may be disturbing to younger viewers. Reviews highlight its exploration of identity, family bonds, and the human condition amidst absurd and often brutal situations.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains significant and frequent violence, often graphic and disturbing, used for both dark comedic effect and to depict serious trauma. It includes physical altercations, self-harm, and violence against women and animals.
Manfred, believing he is John Lennon, has a 'recurring gag in which he violently throws himself out of a moving car or window any time his wish to be called 'John' is disrespected.' The film features flashbacks to 'disturbing scenes of them surviving with a drunk, abusive father,' indicating a history of violence. A user review on Rotten Tomatoes explicitly notes 'mutilation and even a dog is killed,' along with 'suicide attempts.' The brothers' sister, Freja, and another female character, Margrethe, are 'physically brutalised' for comedic purposes or to advance the plot, with some critics noting an 'unpleasant undercurrent of misogyny.'
Scary & Intense Content
The film features highly intense and potentially disturbing content due to its dark comedic treatment of mental illness, frequent graphic violence (including self-harm, violence against women, and animal death), and themes of childhood trauma and abuse.
Disrespect & Rebellion
Characters exhibit significant and often extreme disrespect and rebellious behavior. Anker is an ex-convict, and Manfred's core delusion involves a violent refusal to acknowledge his true identity.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Ages 16+ due to pervasive dark humor, graphic and disturbing violence, mature themes of mental illness, childhood trauma, and substance abuse, and potentially offensive content. The film is rated FSK 16 in Germany.
Good to Know
The film is a Danish/Swedish production and some comedic nuances or cultural references might be lost in translation for non-Scandinavian audiences. Reviews indicate that the film's humor, though dark, is often effective and well-acted, particularly by Mads Mikkelsen. However, the blending of dark comedy with intense violence and mental health issues may not be suitable for all viewers, and some find the treatment of mental illness or violence against female characters potentially insensitive or problematic.
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