A Norwegian war film has been hailed as a "must-watch" and achieved a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Number 24 is a biographical feature film released in 2024 that chronicles the heroic actions of Norwegian resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby during World War II.
Plot and Production
Directed by John Andreas Andersen and produced by Motion Blur, the film dramatizes various sabotage operations and assassinations carried out by the Oslo Group. The narrative is framed by an elderly Sønsteby delivering a lecture to school students in Rjukan, recalling his wartime experiences.
The synopsis reads: "On the brink of the Second World War, a young Norwegian man's drive to resist the Nazis sets a new course for his future - and the future of his country."
Cast and Reception
The film stars Sjur Vatne Brean, Erik Hivju, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Magnus Dugdale, Benjamin Myhre, Philip Helgar, Ulrik William Græsli, Jørgen Cleve Broch, and Ines Høysæter Asserson. During its opening weeks, Number 24 became the most streamed film in Norway.
Critics have praised the film, with one top critic noting: "The director crafts a mostly patriotic picture of a man solely dedicated to duty. It’s an uncompromising approach that often makes for a stirring watch." A reviewer described it as a "must-watch," adding: "Great plot, great acting, very well paced and not predictable. Refreshing to see a movie that has soul to it."
Another viewer called it "gripping, intense and emotional," while a Google reviewer stated: "This is an amazing film and should be watched." One commenter reflected: "Just finished the movie Number24. What a beautiful reflection of the pain in making moral decisions during war and how we who have been blessed with never being in that position look back from our perspective."
Number 24 is now available to stream on Netflix.
