29 reviews
Good show that sagged sometimes
As a cooperation between Norwegian and German production companies, I guess there was an agreement to carve up the action between the two countries and use actors of both nationalities. I have to say that I am impressed with the standard of English of all the players - the Norwegians and Germans had to converse in English amongst themselves but then both nations are reputed for the high level of their language instruction.
Unlike other reviewers, I found the second part of the series, set in Germany, more exciting despite the often gaping plot holes. I had found Asgeir's move to the remote village not credible and didn't believe that his face couldn't be kept out of the newspapers or even local TV. Someone in a witness protection programme doesn't blithely carry on in their former job but just with a lower profile and a new name. Some of his actions, as a former Special Ops member, were also hard to fathom.
Ragna's role was problematical as well. There is a debate all around the world in these times of terrorism from whatever quarter as to whether undercover agents should be allowed to break the law during an infiltration of a subversive group. She was doing so in spades to enable herself to ingratiate herself into the bunch of right wing loons who had a plan to destabilise Europe.
The show was hers, really; after the action switched to Germany, Asgeir's role and participation became minimal and I assume the actor playing his part was written in to those scenes simply because he had demanded to be in the eight episodes. Things got rather far-fetched at times, especially when tracking the mobile phone. What top level agent would believe that such a careful terrorist group would have kept it on? And if they did, why?
As I said, there were several plot holes, the most glaring of which was that no one thought of speaking in Arabic to the school terrorists. My Arabic language skills are not the best, but I would have placed what country they were from within a minute.
Well, it was all done at a fast pace with plenty of action and I enjoyed it.
I watched with subtitles as conversational Norwegian is beyond me but the German was pretty clear and the English-language parts were perfectly enunciated. I'm going a bit deaf so I usually watch even English programmes with subs, but these foreign actors were easier to understand than many English ones! This was a worthwhile watch.
Unlike other reviewers, I found the second part of the series, set in Germany, more exciting despite the often gaping plot holes. I had found Asgeir's move to the remote village not credible and didn't believe that his face couldn't be kept out of the newspapers or even local TV. Someone in a witness protection programme doesn't blithely carry on in their former job but just with a lower profile and a new name. Some of his actions, as a former Special Ops member, were also hard to fathom.
Ragna's role was problematical as well. There is a debate all around the world in these times of terrorism from whatever quarter as to whether undercover agents should be allowed to break the law during an infiltration of a subversive group. She was doing so in spades to enable herself to ingratiate herself into the bunch of right wing loons who had a plan to destabilise Europe.
The show was hers, really; after the action switched to Germany, Asgeir's role and participation became minimal and I assume the actor playing his part was written in to those scenes simply because he had demanded to be in the eight episodes. Things got rather far-fetched at times, especially when tracking the mobile phone. What top level agent would believe that such a careful terrorist group would have kept it on? And if they did, why?
As I said, there were several plot holes, the most glaring of which was that no one thought of speaking in Arabic to the school terrorists. My Arabic language skills are not the best, but I would have placed what country they were from within a minute.
Well, it was all done at a fast pace with plenty of action and I enjoyed it.
I watched with subtitles as conversational Norwegian is beyond me but the German was pretty clear and the English-language parts were perfectly enunciated. I'm going a bit deaf so I usually watch even English programmes with subs, but these foreign actors were easier to understand than many English ones! This was a worthwhile watch.
Long time before things started to happen
Didn't feel something exciting started to happen until episode 4-5.
The story was well built and with good scenery.
As a Norwegian the chosen actors was kind of a disappointment. This is the same actors that they use in EVERY movie, plus they even changed their dialect. That made it even worse.
The story was well built and with good scenery.
As a Norwegian the chosen actors was kind of a disappointment. This is the same actors that they use in EVERY movie, plus they even changed their dialect. That made it even worse.
Strong
Recommended must see serie with the end a bit rushed, but looking forward to season 2. Good acting, nice settings, story and action evenly divided over Norway and Germany. Especially with the strong main character Aesgir, it has all the potential to outperform season 1.
- mike-tan-58-412540
- Jul 11, 2022
- Permalink
Not the best from Scandinavia
Really bad acting / direction and a lot of untealistic moments and situations make this one of the worse Scandinavian crime series. The story is great and unfortunately very realistic but the series ended up being too simple, a little like plastic.
- kgabcsistah
- Sep 29, 2021
- Permalink
A top shelf Norwegian saga
Not surprisingly on a conservative dominated site like IMDB, this brilliantly executed, intelligently written series has got a very low rating and plenty of negative reviews. Do not be fooled. This is a thought provoking and smart thriller with political undertones. Unless you are a Nazi or neo-Nazi, I don't see how you cannot like this. Yep, I know this is provocative. It is intentional. Why should I always be the one getting annoyed by the comments here?
- anilbozbiyik
- Oct 14, 2021
- Permalink
A bit slow start, but it accelrates while after a couple of episodes
From the beginning it got pretty small narrative, but it evolves nicely into something a lot bigger, with some surprises along the way.
Mostly great acting from both the german and norwegian actors which mixes up well.
As others are writing, the.cinematography is ranging from pretty good to excellent. Some really good shots and scenery.
Mostly great acting from both the german and norwegian actors which mixes up well.
As others are writing, the.cinematography is ranging from pretty good to excellent. Some really good shots and scenery.
- sveinungoyen
- Oct 21, 2021
- Permalink
Scandinavian Dramas are 10/10
As a non-european, I have enjoyed the show. I have not judged the actors or director or any of the crew for this show.
No complains. Excellent show. Cinematography is very good.
The plot of radical right-wing groups is unusual and that got me hooked for this show. Even if Americans try to remake this show, it wont be as good as this original series.
WATCH IT !
No complains. Excellent show. Cinematography is very good.
The plot of radical right-wing groups is unusual and that got me hooked for this show. Even if Americans try to remake this show, it wont be as good as this original series.
WATCH IT !
- hiteshnimsarkar
- Oct 13, 2021
- Permalink
Muddled
This started well with same great Norwegian scenery, but then after a couple of episodes the drama moved into urban Germany and things got pretty boring and implausible.
Irrespective of the eventual outcome of the drama, there was a lot of pretty nasty racism during the middle episodes.
The media/society/government is constantly trying to enforce an equality mindset and yet dramas like this portray the opposite.
There is something wrong somewhere.
Irrespective of the eventual outcome of the drama, there was a lot of pretty nasty racism during the middle episodes.
The media/society/government is constantly trying to enforce an equality mindset and yet dramas like this portray the opposite.
There is something wrong somewhere.
Surprisingly good crime
Beautiful norwegian scenery from the west coast of Norway, and the actors even spoke the local dialect for that area. The story takes the viewer from Norway to Germany and the original language of all locations is kept. Good actors, good story, good tension, quite a few twists and surprises, and just a few minor annoying logical questions I thought the director ought to do something about.
But all in all a great binge story that'll keep you glued to your chair.
But all in all a great binge story that'll keep you glued to your chair.
- bjornar-182-260351
- Jan 7, 2022
- Permalink
Good, but...
Really engaging in the beginning. Having one deep cover cop and another in witness protection is pretty original. Although, don't think about it too much, as I seriously doubt witness protection would hide their guy AS A COP in the same town with an active deep cover operation going on! Jeez!
But, ignore that, and it's quite good. The woman playing Ragna is solid, but the guy playing Asgeir is kinda generic and lacking any real emotional expressions on his face. Maybe that's intentional? Maybe I just can't read Norwegian faces? Still, good show.
As it progresses, it starts to show signs of bad writing. The whole relationship with Asgeir and his daughter is just not working. Kids are often bad actors, so that doesn't help much. Some of the villains are two dimensional, etc.
I've got like two episodes left in the first season, and I'll definitely finish it, but it's losing its charm. Great start ultimately gives way to the usual cop drama stuff.
Plus, is it just the Nordic cops shows that use drones for almost EVERY SINGLE SHOT or is American TV like this too? I don't watch American TV, but I do watch a lot of Nordic and/or Eastern European detective shows and they're just full of drone footage. Once in a while is nice, but jeez... overkill!
Good show for now! Dunno if I can make it to season two yet. We'll see!
Oh! See if you can spot the xenophobic nazi in the comments here! The one person whining about "anti-conservative" politics! SMH.
But, ignore that, and it's quite good. The woman playing Ragna is solid, but the guy playing Asgeir is kinda generic and lacking any real emotional expressions on his face. Maybe that's intentional? Maybe I just can't read Norwegian faces? Still, good show.
As it progresses, it starts to show signs of bad writing. The whole relationship with Asgeir and his daughter is just not working. Kids are often bad actors, so that doesn't help much. Some of the villains are two dimensional, etc.
I've got like two episodes left in the first season, and I'll definitely finish it, but it's losing its charm. Great start ultimately gives way to the usual cop drama stuff.
Plus, is it just the Nordic cops shows that use drones for almost EVERY SINGLE SHOT or is American TV like this too? I don't watch American TV, but I do watch a lot of Nordic and/or Eastern European detective shows and they're just full of drone footage. Once in a while is nice, but jeez... overkill!
Good show for now! Dunno if I can make it to season two yet. We'll see!
Oh! See if you can spot the xenophobic nazi in the comments here! The one person whining about "anti-conservative" politics! SMH.
Scandy Magic - Furia
Yet another European TV Series that draws you in from the beginning to the end. I never miss anything from European TV Series/Movie Producers. Although I live in Australia, I never ever watch anything homegrown and prefer English, Swedish, Dutch, Norwegian, French, German all far superior to anything from the West. I can't get enough of these wonderful Storyline's and the expertise of the actors. A brilliant Storyline and Series.
Dissapointing end
- thekimberley
- Jan 27, 2022
- Permalink
A rushed series that had the potential to be really good
Choice of actors
Personally not a fan of the Asgeir personage who makes me think he is still part of the series ´Exit´. Also episode 5 and 6 were too slow and too much ´politics talk´. Made me skip them. But nice series.
Wonderful Norwegian/German contrast
Some reviewers have noted that the start was great and the end so long and drawn out with nothing happening.
That is part of the genius of the film! We start off with breathtaking Norwegian scenery, fumbling local cops, and begin to understand what is happening. It helps to know what happened at Utøja in Norway in 2011 in order to understand the motivation.
We cut to boooooring German landscapes, the chaos of Berlin, and dive deeply into the inner workings (or rather, dysfuncationality) of German officials. That is what makes it so believable, and scary.
The acting is great! Ine Marie Wilmann can talk with her eyes, Christian Berkel does a very believable move from arrogant minister to human back to arrogant minister. Some of the others are a bit two-dimensional, but they fit so nicely into Norwegian and German stereotypes.
Another Scandinavian Noir gem. And unfortunately, too believable. No more, don't want to spoil. See it.
That is part of the genius of the film! We start off with breathtaking Norwegian scenery, fumbling local cops, and begin to understand what is happening. It helps to know what happened at Utøja in Norway in 2011 in order to understand the motivation.
We cut to boooooring German landscapes, the chaos of Berlin, and dive deeply into the inner workings (or rather, dysfuncationality) of German officials. That is what makes it so believable, and scary.
The acting is great! Ine Marie Wilmann can talk with her eyes, Christian Berkel does a very believable move from arrogant minister to human back to arrogant minister. Some of the others are a bit two-dimensional, but they fit so nicely into Norwegian and German stereotypes.
Another Scandinavian Noir gem. And unfortunately, too believable. No more, don't want to spoil. See it.
- imdb-weberwu
- Nov 26, 2021
- Permalink
Interesting and quite believable premise, but...
Impressive tension
The Norwegian film industry delivers yet another top series. Furia is well acted, well paced and has a really intriguing storyline, all of which keeps the tension mounting as we learn more and more about what's going on.
Fantastic serie, speed is high for a Svandinavian tv serie.
Everything is great. The story, the acting, the credibility, the speed. Loved that they sticked to the original country languages of where the scenes were taking place. And the culprits were sometimes surprising.
- harten-92837
- Dec 20, 2021
- Permalink
'Good' debut, hoping for 'Great' S2
I just got done binging this in a 2-day period. This was a very good opening season that I'm hoping gives way to a great S2.
*** There's so much to love here. Let me count the ways:
--- Stunning Visuals from E1-E8: The series begins in the Norwegian countryside, where the breathtaking landscape cinematography invites you into the story, and helps get you hooked fast.
As the series progresses to Berlin, the visuals remain engrossing as you encounter everything from charming coffee shops to towering government buildings to sprawling outskirt warehouses. You feel like you're there the whole time.
---Fascinating Subject Matter: Propoganda has a long track record as "one hell of a drug", and Furia does not back down exploring its awesome, awful power.
Our minds are easier to influence than many of us would like to believe, and Furia offers a thought-provoking reminder of that.
---Interesting Characters All Around: There are zero weak links in the four top characters billed in the credits above. I found myself invested in the progression arcs for each one.
The slow burn approach did a bang-up job of gradually peeling away the layers of each of those four highly complicated onions and the even more complicated situations they find themselves in.
---Haunting/Believable Villains: The writing here is imperfect as others have said, but the alt-right characters you meet are about as believable as I've seen on any show that explores such a topic.
They feel like real people who were one-time functioning members of society prior to radicalization. They still feel like real human beings even after radicalization, which is refreshingly uncomfortable. These are not Saturday Morning Cartoon villains.
What makes these characters truly haunting is they feel like they could be someone you used to know before they went down the wrong path. It made me think we've probably all at least met someone who secretly espouses(ed) beliefs like this.
---Visceral Action The action scenes are about as far from 'safe CGI explosions' as it gets. These characters get their hands dirty here.
Because of the slow-burn character development, it feels like there's something meaningful at stake whenever action does occur. So many shows/movies fail to achieve this, Furia does not.
*** Furia S1 felt like it could have been one of the best shows I'd ever seen, but there was a noticeable amount of potential left off the table:
---Arcs Abrupt at Times My primary reason this is "only" an 8/10 is that I found myself not completely satisfied with where a few character arcs left off by season's end.
I can't say what they are without adding a spoilers tag, but my hope is they address this in S2 by winnowing down a little bit of horizontal scope. I felt like I was asking myself 'wait are they just going to leave that?!? I want to know (x)...'
I thought the ending itself was fine, but a few underlying character arcs felt almost, but not quite, right by season's end.
---Protagonists' Vulnerability One of the hallmarks of Furia is that it's a show where its protagonists have to grapple with, or even sacrifice, their own humanity in order to confront trials ahead.
The leads do grapple with themselves quite often, but still I found myself noticing they handle all of this perhaps a little too well at times.
Can I get a nervous breakdown in a bathroom with a side-order of important relationships deteriorating due to prolonged trauma? We've all been there. (Right?!?)
---Wait, Theres a Season Two?
I have a vague idea of what could be in store for Season Two, but I left not sure if there was one or if this was a completed package.
It was only after Googling that I found it had been announced, and then I could ponder what could segue from this debut, to the sophomore offering.
*** Overall, the good far outweighs the bad. This is worth your viewing if you enjoy thrillers, and I hope the showrunners learn from what did and did not work going into S2. I'll be all over it when it comes out.
*** There's so much to love here. Let me count the ways:
--- Stunning Visuals from E1-E8: The series begins in the Norwegian countryside, where the breathtaking landscape cinematography invites you into the story, and helps get you hooked fast.
As the series progresses to Berlin, the visuals remain engrossing as you encounter everything from charming coffee shops to towering government buildings to sprawling outskirt warehouses. You feel like you're there the whole time.
---Fascinating Subject Matter: Propoganda has a long track record as "one hell of a drug", and Furia does not back down exploring its awesome, awful power.
Our minds are easier to influence than many of us would like to believe, and Furia offers a thought-provoking reminder of that.
---Interesting Characters All Around: There are zero weak links in the four top characters billed in the credits above. I found myself invested in the progression arcs for each one.
The slow burn approach did a bang-up job of gradually peeling away the layers of each of those four highly complicated onions and the even more complicated situations they find themselves in.
---Haunting/Believable Villains: The writing here is imperfect as others have said, but the alt-right characters you meet are about as believable as I've seen on any show that explores such a topic.
They feel like real people who were one-time functioning members of society prior to radicalization. They still feel like real human beings even after radicalization, which is refreshingly uncomfortable. These are not Saturday Morning Cartoon villains.
What makes these characters truly haunting is they feel like they could be someone you used to know before they went down the wrong path. It made me think we've probably all at least met someone who secretly espouses(ed) beliefs like this.
---Visceral Action The action scenes are about as far from 'safe CGI explosions' as it gets. These characters get their hands dirty here.
Because of the slow-burn character development, it feels like there's something meaningful at stake whenever action does occur. So many shows/movies fail to achieve this, Furia does not.
*** Furia S1 felt like it could have been one of the best shows I'd ever seen, but there was a noticeable amount of potential left off the table:
---Arcs Abrupt at Times My primary reason this is "only" an 8/10 is that I found myself not completely satisfied with where a few character arcs left off by season's end.
I can't say what they are without adding a spoilers tag, but my hope is they address this in S2 by winnowing down a little bit of horizontal scope. I felt like I was asking myself 'wait are they just going to leave that?!? I want to know (x)...'
I thought the ending itself was fine, but a few underlying character arcs felt almost, but not quite, right by season's end.
---Protagonists' Vulnerability One of the hallmarks of Furia is that it's a show where its protagonists have to grapple with, or even sacrifice, their own humanity in order to confront trials ahead.
The leads do grapple with themselves quite often, but still I found myself noticing they handle all of this perhaps a little too well at times.
Can I get a nervous breakdown in a bathroom with a side-order of important relationships deteriorating due to prolonged trauma? We've all been there. (Right?!?)
---Wait, Theres a Season Two?
I have a vague idea of what could be in store for Season Two, but I left not sure if there was one or if this was a completed package.
It was only after Googling that I found it had been announced, and then I could ponder what could segue from this debut, to the sophomore offering.
*** Overall, the good far outweighs the bad. This is worth your viewing if you enjoy thrillers, and I hope the showrunners learn from what did and did not work going into S2. I'll be all over it when it comes out.
- Ottawa_RoughRiders
- Jan 25, 2023
- Permalink
Good start, but then just boring
Started out good, but after moving the show to Germany following bad Norwegian acting, it got painfully boring and monotone to watch.
- erik-587-621345
- Oct 4, 2021
- Permalink
Beste serie ever!!
This was the best serie I have ever seen! It is so exciting. I was litteraly on the edge of my seat. This masterpiece is so well put together. Really enjoyed it. I hope it has a sequel. I can definitely recommend this serie!! Please watch this, you won't regret!! :)
- sarah-marieaernoudts
- Dec 17, 2021
- Permalink
Solid and timely thriller
The first episode stumbles a bit getting started, and the first season has a few hiccups along the way, but the series is otherwise a very good geopolitical thriller with compelling characters, authentic presentation, high intensity action, and a timely premise.
The locations are excellent, the central themes carry the narrative forward, and the continuing role of the young daughter adds a dimension that is often missing in other thrillers. Some jumps back in time can sometimes be a bit disorientating but do succeed in filling in the backstory. It flows well from episode to episode making it quite bingeable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The locations are excellent, the central themes carry the narrative forward, and the continuing role of the young daughter adds a dimension that is often missing in other thrillers. Some jumps back in time can sometimes be a bit disorientating but do succeed in filling in the backstory. It flows well from episode to episode making it quite bingeable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- jn2-652-67034
- Jul 17, 2024
- Permalink
Waste of time
The first few episodes was very good, then it all began to be very boring. Last five episodes with a lot of things happening in a very boring way. Felt like forever to get to the end of the season. What a mess and what a waste of time!
A play on double morals
Just as a general disclamer, I am not a fan of shows that involve police, punishment and investigation. So my review might be a bit biased because of that. Still, I did find what the show was about, nazi groupings in Norway and police going undercover to investigate to be quite interesting.
This show has some good actors coming from other Norwegian shows, and some not so good ones. The main protagonist makes a very convincing performance and suits his role well, the other central characters also do a great job with the exception of the main female protagonist. She had been landing a lot of roles in Norwegian movies and tv in the last couple years after her performance on the well known Norwegian show «Exit» where she played a benzo popping alcoholic housewife. Still a role this demanding shows lot of flaws in her acting skills. Sure she is super beautiful with a nice smile and great body - and it is amazing she looks this good at 37. But tve fact that we love her as a woman, does not change the fact that she does better in less demanding parts in my opinion. Some things she handles well, and some she needs more training to do well. I suppose this is more of a problem with the people hiring her and not caring too much about polishing and perfecting the show - snd making changes like doing more takes or postponing when needed, since in Hollywood for example actors always get proper excercise and nutrition programs for months before a part and learn different fighting styles and choreographies before they start shooting anything at all and also have stuntmen around to learn from. I guess this is not the case in Norway. Not very noticable in season one but becomes quite obvious in season 2. By the way, does anyone have her number? This time I wont be ignored. Or yes I will, nevermind.
This show is like 2 completely different shows between seasons. The first season feels like a beginning to end story and season 2 is like a new show kinda. They could be viewed independently without any knowledge of the other and might even be better viewed that way and I would reccomend starting with season 2 actually, but keep in mind season 1 is much better.
The first season is a very Norwegian type small town show where it first seems like a normal country town but then starts showing its true nature as secrets are revealed. Quite exciting and interesting show. Would give this a 7/10.
The second season is more like a international type spy show that is very similar to the show «24» that involves the interplay between higher powers and different types of international agencies and fictional terrorist groups. It tries to keep up the excitement but they really made a bad choice being to ambitious and putting all their cards on actors that really does not handle the role well enough. The dialogue is lacking in synergistic counterparts wich just contributes more to the season feeling rushed. Of course it could have been done better but a lot of it just really makes no sense. I am failing to see exactly what the issue is. 24 is one of my favorite shows of all time but this one just didnt hit the mark for me this time. 4/10.
Combined it amounts to a 5/10.
This show has some good actors coming from other Norwegian shows, and some not so good ones. The main protagonist makes a very convincing performance and suits his role well, the other central characters also do a great job with the exception of the main female protagonist. She had been landing a lot of roles in Norwegian movies and tv in the last couple years after her performance on the well known Norwegian show «Exit» where she played a benzo popping alcoholic housewife. Still a role this demanding shows lot of flaws in her acting skills. Sure she is super beautiful with a nice smile and great body - and it is amazing she looks this good at 37. But tve fact that we love her as a woman, does not change the fact that she does better in less demanding parts in my opinion. Some things she handles well, and some she needs more training to do well. I suppose this is more of a problem with the people hiring her and not caring too much about polishing and perfecting the show - snd making changes like doing more takes or postponing when needed, since in Hollywood for example actors always get proper excercise and nutrition programs for months before a part and learn different fighting styles and choreographies before they start shooting anything at all and also have stuntmen around to learn from. I guess this is not the case in Norway. Not very noticable in season one but becomes quite obvious in season 2. By the way, does anyone have her number? This time I wont be ignored. Or yes I will, nevermind.
This show is like 2 completely different shows between seasons. The first season feels like a beginning to end story and season 2 is like a new show kinda. They could be viewed independently without any knowledge of the other and might even be better viewed that way and I would reccomend starting with season 2 actually, but keep in mind season 1 is much better.
The first season is a very Norwegian type small town show where it first seems like a normal country town but then starts showing its true nature as secrets are revealed. Quite exciting and interesting show. Would give this a 7/10.
The second season is more like a international type spy show that is very similar to the show «24» that involves the interplay between higher powers and different types of international agencies and fictional terrorist groups. It tries to keep up the excitement but they really made a bad choice being to ambitious and putting all their cards on actors that really does not handle the role well enough. The dialogue is lacking in synergistic counterparts wich just contributes more to the season feeling rushed. Of course it could have been done better but a lot of it just really makes no sense. I am failing to see exactly what the issue is. 24 is one of my favorite shows of all time but this one just didnt hit the mark for me this time. 4/10.
Combined it amounts to a 5/10.
What the...? Spoiler -->