Mads Mikkelsen stars as Markus in the Danish film “Riders of Justice” which is a compelling watch filled with complex characters.
When his wife is killed in an apparent accident; Markus is recalled from his overseas assignment to come home and care for his daughter Mathilde (Andrea Heick Gadeberg). The fact that Markus is not able to open up and has anger issues is a deep wedge between him and his daughter and his refusal to accept the therapy being offered to them only makes things worse.
When a recently fired man named Otto (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) who survived the accident begins to question if the accident was actually an attack on a person set to testify; he contacts Markus to pass along his theories.
Since the police do not seem interested in the theories Otto is proposing, he and his friends convince Markus to look into things and Otto expresses guilt over giving his seat to Markus’s wife which he believes resulted in her death.
As things unfold, Markus turns into an agent of vengeance and soon instructs Markus and his friends in the proper use of weapons as they look to exact their revenge.
While the film is not an action-fest in the classic sense; it does have a few action sequences. What the film really focuses on is the emotionally disturbed characters who are all dealing with various forms of distress.
The interplay between the characters as they bond over a common experience and deal with their emotional issues is a compelling mix of themes and makes for a more unique viewing experience.
In the end, the film is an entertaining mix which is well worth a look.
3.5 stars out of 5
