Headhunters
Directed by Morten Tyldum
- thriller
- crime
- action
The story
An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.
What it’s like
Cold Scandinavian daylight and wintry Oslo exteriors give way to sleek, glossy interiors: polished glass offices, bright white kitchens, and a suburban villa wrapped in snow and pale gray light. Tyldum's camera moves briskly and often handheld, lingering on small mishaps and the protagonist's frantic dodging, while the cutting tightens into fast chase sequences through forests, rivers, and icy streets. Violence is sudden and bruising rather than lingering, with a few sharp, grisly moments (including a body in a morgue and a brutal injury sequence) that land hard but are brief. Its vibe is wry, jittery and darkly comic, a cold thriller with a sardonic streak, best for a restless evening or a late watch with friends. The arc follows a vain, insecure man whose confidence crumbles as his schemes spiral, and its tone shifts between suspense and absurd humour. Good for viewers who enjoy twisty crime capers with dark comedy and don't mind real physical danger and gritty bloodshed.
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