Mads Mikkelsen, star of the Danish dark comedy The Last Viking, explained how the film’s story of two brothers, one living as John Lennon, was shaped by director Anders Thomas Jensen’s signature blend of mayhem and poetic storytelling. The film, Jensen’s sixth collaboration with Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas , follows Anker, released after fifteen years in prison, as he searches for hidden money with his brother Manfred, who has addopted a Lennon persona.

Jensen’s Sixth Collaboration with Mikkelsen and Kaas Sparks a New Dark Comedy

According to the Collider interview, The Last Viking marks the sixth time Jensen has worked with Mikkelsen and Kaas . The director’s unique approach—mixing violence,absurdity, and deep questions about life and death—has become a hallmark of his films, echoing the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino while remaining distinctly his own.

Manfred’s John Lennon Identity Drives the Plot’s Absurdity

Mikkelsen described Manfred as a “grown man‑child” who, after a childhood Viking fantasy,chooses to live as John Lennon in adulthood. The character’s dramatic reactions whenever Anker ignores his wishes create a chaotic dynamic that fuels the film’s exploration of brotherhood and trauma.

Visual Style and Character Design: Mikkelsen’s Input on Manfred’s Look

In the interview, Mikkelsen revealed that he helped design Manfred’s appearance, selecting round glasses and curly hair to cement the Lennon‑inspired look. This visual choice underscores the film’s blend of absurdity—Sgt. Pepper costumes alongside Viking imagery—to highlight the characters’ painful humanity.

Unanswered Questions About the Film’s Moral Core

While the Collider piece praised Jensen’s poetic handling of big topics, it left open whether the film ultimately offers a resolution to the brothers’ fractured relationship. The interview also did not clarify how the hidden money’s location will be revealed or whether Anker’s search will succeed.