Ragnarok: Season 1 – Netflix Series Review (4/5)

RAGNAROK is a new Netflix series about Norse mythology in a whole new way. And yes, it just works! The story takes place in Norway while the Netflix series was created by a Danish writer. Read our Ragnarok Season 1 review here!

RAGNAROK is a new Netflix series featuring a lot of teenagers and Norse mythology. This might sound strange, but it really works. The story plays out in a small town in Norway and the Netflix series is created by a Dane and produced by a Danish production company. It’s a true Scandinavian lovechild if ever I saw one!

Basically, Ragnarok is about good versus evil – or light versus dark, if you want to keep a somewhat open mind. Also, it has a lot of supernatural elements as you would expect from a story like this.

Continue reading our Ragnarok season 1 review here!

Thor and Loke as teenagers

When you meet the very different brothers, Magne and Laurits, it’s pretty easy to spot who of them will be Thor and Loke respectively. Their characters are simply so ingrained with the qualities we’ve come to know from Norse mythology. Whether it’s from Marvel movies or anything else featuring Norse mythology.

As a Dane, I can even admit that my little heart swelled up when Magne first held a hammer. Of course, he doesn’t know that he’s basically a reincarnation (of sorts) of Thor, but you will know this. And yes, there is some teen-drama in Ragnarok but it really isn’t the main thing.

These kids are battling with some major issues – including death coming very close. Something which is also covered in a very different way.

Also, unlike the Danish Netflix series The Rain (which is loved much more internationally than in its native Denmark), Ragnarok really is about Scandinavia. Both the beautiful countryside and the focus on Norse mythology ensures this.

The same old tired trope!

There is a big problem with events in episode one. Basically, an all too familiar trope is being used and (for several reasons), I simply loathe this. The fact that I was able to “get over” (not really!) this and enjoy the Netflix series as a whole, speaks volumes about its qualities.

Still, I do expect it to create quite a stir. And rightfully so. It simply sucks and I really thought we had moved on from using these tired tropes. I especially didn’t expect it from a Scandinavian production.

Basically, I stand with everyone offended by this event while also praising just about everything else in Ragnarok.

A truly wonderful cast

I didn’t know many of the actors in Ragnarok before watching this Netflix series. Okay, there is a very big exception with Synnøve Macody Lund. She recently starred in a Norwegian horror movie called Hjemsøkt (2017) which translates to “haunted”, and the Lisbeth Salander movie The Girl in the Spider’s Web (2018).

Synnøve Macody Lund is really awesome in Ragnarok so she’s bound to get a new (huge!) international audience thanks to this Netflix series.

Also, if you’re a fan of the Norwegian phenomenon series SKAM which has been remade internationally several times, then you’ll recognize a few faces. Theresa Frostad Eggesbø is in Ragnarok as Saxa. She is the daughter of Synnøve Macody Lund’s character which works like a charm visually.

Herman Tømmeraas and David Stakston from SKAM are also in Ragnarok. Herman Tømmerass is the brother of Saxa while David Stakston plays Magne.

Ragnarok really is all about David Stakston since he is the crucial main protagonist as Magne. Fortunately, David Stakston can hold his own with this big task. As Magne’s brother, Laurits, vi have another semi-familiar face with Jonas Strand Gravli.

He was in the Netflix movie 22 July by Paul Greengrass. He also co-starred in a Norwegian series titled Wisting which has Carrie Ann Moss guest-starring for several episodes.

Watch Season 1 of Ragnarok on Netflix!

As mentioned earlier, Ragnarok was created by a Danish writer. His name is Adam Price and he is no stranger to writing for TV series – or even creating them. He is the creator of Borgen which became an international success and starred Danish actors such as Sidse Babett Knudsen, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, and Pilou Asbæk.

It probably played a part in Sidse Babett Knudsen landing a role in season 1 of Westworld in which she was awesome. Also, both Birgitte Hjort Sørensen and Pilou Asbæk went on to be cast in Game of Thrones.

You might like: Read our season 1 review of Westworld here >

Obviously, Adam Price isn’t the only writer working on Ragnarok. However, the six episodes in season 1 of Ragnarok were split between two directors, Jannik Johansen and Mogens Hagedorn, who each directed three episodes.

Other than a wonderful take on Norse mythology, Ragnarok also really delivers on dark humor in the best of ways. With just six episodes in this first season, you can easily binge-watch this new Netflix series. And you really should to avoid spoilers!

Ragnarok Season 1 is out on Netflix globally from January 31, 2020.

Details

Creator: Adam Price
Directors: Mogens Hagedorn, Jannik Johansen
Stars: David Stakston, Jonas Strand Gravli, Synnøve Macody Lund, Herman Tømmeraas, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Emma Bones, Gísli Örn Garðarsson