‘Riders of Justice’: Rediscover This Underrated Mads Mikkelsen Revenge Thriller
From the eerie Le Chiffre in ‘Casino Royale’ to the menacing Doctor Jürgen Voller in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, Mads Mikkelsen, who is well-known for his iconic villain performances, has carved himself an impressive career as an antagonist.
He has, however, also shown remarkable versatility by taking on the roles of protagonists; ‘Riders of Justice’ is a notable example. In this 2020 Danish film, Mikkelsen plays Markus Hansen, a soldier who returns home following the unexpected death of his wife in a train accident. Despite not being a major global success, ‘Riders of Justice’ gained a cult following thanks to its distinct fusion of dark comedy and fast-paced action, which was enhanced by Mikkelsen’s outstanding performance.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
The story follows Markus as he learns that his wife was the victim of a targeted attack by the ‘Riders of Justice’, a motorcycle gang, rather than an accident. He sets out on a quest for vengeance with the aid of a quirky group of hackers, which transforms the movie into an action-packed, surprising comedy rollercoaster. In contrast to other vengeance thrillers, ‘Riders of Justice’ highlights Mikkelsen’s flexibility by fusing darkly humorous and quirky aspects with themes of family and bereavement.
His portrayal of a stoic but emotionally damaged father strikes a balance between the weight of loss and the unrelenting quest for justice. He is both mercilessly harsh and kind. Due to his nuanced performance, Mikkelsen gained critical acclaim and was nominated for a Robert Award, Denmark’s Oscar equivalent.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Lars Brygmann, his co-star, won a Robert for his depiction of the tech-savvy Lennart. Mikkelsen demonstrates his command of the genre in this nuanced portrayal, deftly fusing dark humour with emotional realism, and reaffirming why he is hailed as one of Denmark’s best actors.
–Farheen Ali
