RIDERS OF JUSTICE – Review

Although the title reads like something from a 1930s Western, this is a very contemporary Danish revenge flick with a unique blend of action and comedy, written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Mads Mikkelsen (Oscar-winning ANOTHER ROUND, TV’s “Hannibal”). It is also my favorite film, thus far, of 2021. Sneaky excellence in a surprising package.

We open with math geek Otto (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) struggling to explain the commercial value of his algorithm for predictions, factoring far more causal factors than any other program. It is akin to the axiomatic butterfly in Africa fluttering its wings setting in motion a chain of events that result in something quite different across the globe. The tunnel-vision Board fails to see how it will serve their only goal of selling their product, so they fire him and his fellow nerds.

That lands him in a commuter train car (earlier than usual) which explodes, killing a bunch of the passengers. One is a woman to whom he chivalrously gave his seat. Otto and the woman’s teen daughter, Mathilde (Andrea Heick Gadeberg) survive. He learns that the key witness about to testify against the head of a local gang of thugs – the eponymous Riders – is another casualty of this seeming accident.

But filled with survivor’s guilt, and licking the fresh wounds of his rejected program, Otto recalls seeing something that convinces him the blast was a planned hit on the witness, rather than a random bit of bad luck. The police dismiss his speculation. So Otto and his cohorts Lennart (Lars Brygmann) and Emmenthaler (Nicolas Bro) start trying to prove their point via their method. They take this idea to the husband of the unlucky lady, Markus (Mads Mikkelsen), a hard-nosed career soldier who was forced to interrupt his career abroad to try being a parent to his surly teen daughter Mathilde.

From that point on, the movie is a masterful blend of action, slapstick and character comedy as the foursome hunts the perps to right that hideous wrong, while keeping Markus’ daughter from learning what they’re doing. She’s busy trying to convince her angry, taciturn dad to open up and deal with his feelings, not knowing his method is already in process, and about as far from a shrink’s couch as one could get.

This film plays as a welcome novelty in the “Don’t-F***-with- My-Family” genre. Mikkelsen assumes the mantle of a Danish Liam Neeson, who has established himself (and his particular set of skills) as an Irish Charles Bronson, who made a career of being an American Chuck Norris, with the bonus of added range and talent. There is plenty of action, delightful humor and the proper amount of emotional work in this wonderful dark comedy. The four male avengers contribute first-rate performances in fleshing out relatable, complex protagonists. With all the worldwide travel restrictions of the past year, we can be grateful none apply to importing films like this.

RIDERS OF JUSTICE, in Danish with English subtitles, opens Friday, May 14, at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinema and streaming on demand.

RATING: 3 1/2 out of 4 stars