From The Hunt to After the Wedding: Mads Mikkelsen’s 10 Essential Films

From The Hunt to After the Wedding: Mads Mikkelsen’s 10 Essential Films. We review the career of Mads Mikkelsen in his 10 fundamental works.

By Megan Sauer

In the realm of cinema, having presence is a trait that you either possess or lack. And Mads Mikkelsen, no surprises in this sense, is one of those lucky people/stars.

The strength of his face, the temper of his gaze, the minimum of his gestures and that way of moving around the screen is something within the reach of very few, as well as an element that makes him one of those stars who, clearly, would have triumphed in any era in the history of cinema.

With a career as extensive as it is complete, as well as varied and with a handful of truly surprising films, the Danish performer has managed to carve out a place of real weight and relevance in the world of Hollywood, while also maintaining his well-deserved privilege in European cinema.

You find the same thing in a gigantic blockbuster as in a low-budget drama. And you can bet that he will deliver in both cases with the same dedication and conviction.

The Salvation
This special is useful in which we remember ten of the most essential works of his professional career to exemplify that versatility and, above all, talent when it comes to diving headlong into any type of story and genre to end up landing on his feet. The footprint of a giant called Mads Mikkelsen.

Another round
Just for its already legendary final dance scene, a true gold closing, Mads Mikkelsen’s performance in ‘Another Round‘ already scores a considerable amount of points when it comes to being celebrated as the best of his career.

However, let that wonderful moment not eclipse the rest of an exemplary work from start to finish, hard and fun almost simultaneously, deeply sad and finally liberating. A performance as fantastic as the film it represents.

Horsemen of justice
As unclassifiable as it is notable, ‘Riders of Justice‘ is one of those films that always choose the most unexpected path, the riskiest option and the leap into the void as a philosophy of life. And it turns out well every time. Brilliant top-notch black comedy that finds another of its strongest points in the magnificent cast led by a brilliant Mads Mikkelsen.

Arctic
Although it does not contribute anything particularly surprising or new to the survival film genre, ‘Arctic‘ features a dedicated, committed, emotional and heartbreaking performance by Mads Mikkelsen who fills the screen with his mere presence. A hypnotic demonstration of the actor’s talent to maintain an entire film on his back with a solvency worthy of applause.

The Salvation
A textbook Western that drinks from the holy waters of the rivers of John Ford, Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone, ‘The Salvation‘ is a true joy for those of us who devoutly love this total genre.

A robust, intimidating and imposing Mads Mikkelsen in his silences, especially in a last section that elevates the ensemble to another level, leads with a firm hand a proposal that generates a love for a cinematographic model and language that when done well, as happens here, it is irresistible.

A Royal Affair
Before a tremendous commercial and artistic blow was given with the disastrous ‘The Dark Tower‘, director Nikolaj Arcel signed a film as extraordinary as ‘A Royal Affair. Starring an immense Mads Mikkelsen, an impeccable Alicia Vikander and an excellent Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, this sensational period drama is deservedly ranked among the most complete seen on screen so far in the 21st century. A wonderful film from start to finish.

Valhalla Rising
Mads Mikkelsen hardly needs dialogue to turn each of his multiple scenes in ‘Valhalla Rising‘ into a memorable spectacle of strength and interpretive power. A proposal that is devoured by visual fascination, hits mercilessly with its thunderous violence and shines with the overwhelming brilliance of its unforgettable protagonist. A cinematographic experience to remember.

After the Wedding
Although on numerous occasions it verges on completely falling into after-dinner melodrama, ‘After the Wedding‘ ends up convincing thanks to its detailed staging and, above all, a group of performers who shine with their own light, making even the moments exciting. more sugary or exciting. In that sense, special mention goes to Mads Mikkelsen who steals every scene with amazing delicacy. The best of the movie.

Wilbur Wants to Commit Suicide
Although his role is not, by any means, one of the protagonists of the film, it is impossible not to mention ‘Wilbur Wants to Suicide‘ among the fundamental films of Mads Mikkelsen’s career. And, above the time on screen, which, by the way, he takes advantage of with his characteristic talent, here we have one of the most different, special, rounded, complete and memorable films of his career. Absolute gem.

The Hunt
A masterpiece. And Mads Mikkelsen’s most important, brilliant and unforgettable performance yet. There is not much more to add: ‘The Hunt‘ is one of the great European films in the history of cinema. Mandatory.

The Promised Land (The Bastard)

More than ten years after the aforementioned and magnificent ‘A Royal Affair‘, director Nikolaj Arcel and Mads Mikkelsen meet again in ‘The Promised Land (The Bastard)‘. An extensive parenthesis that, given what we have seen, has not at all affected the ability of both to offer films above the remarkable.

Time will finally place it within the filmography of each of them, there is no more implacable judge, but, for now, this splendid historical proposal fits with taste and comfort as one of their most powerful, vibrant and dazzling films.