20 Scandinavian detective thrillers worth watching: part 2

The Scandinavians are a thoughtful people who are good at making films with meaning. Their films raise important social issues and capture the viewer’s attention with realistic stories, unexpected outcomes, and talented cinematography with beautiful northern landscapes. We’ve compiled a list of the best Scandinavian detective and thriller films.

Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes (2013 – 2018)

---

The series of Scandinavian detective thrillers is based on the books by writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, known for his twisted plots and unpredictable outcomes. The film stars detective Carl Merck, exiled to the Copenhagen police after a failed arrest of a criminal, and Assad, a newcomer with no experience. The pair work on abandoned cases that had to be closed due to lack of evidence.

The Quake (2018)

---

Geologist Christian Ickord suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after the Geiranger disaster and is constantly waiting for new troubles. After receiving news of the death of a former colleague during the earthquake, Christian travels there to find out the truth. From his friend’s papers, the seismologist learns that the tremors will lead to large fractures in the ground that will destroy the city. The thrilling thriller produced in Norway is a direct sequel to the 2015 disaster film The Wave, which is also in our selection.

The Unthinkable (2018)

---

Alex grew up under the yoke of his father in a family that was falling apart. At the first opportunity, he left for the city to become a pianist, but circumstances forced him to return. Against the backdrop of the family drama, a war with an unknown enemy is unfolding. The enemy is invisible, and its power is unlimited. The military is failing, and people are surviving as best they can. To play his character as a teenager, Christoffer Noordenroot lost 20 kg and gained weight again in 4 months.

The Guilty (2018)

---

Unusual even by Scandinavian standards, the Danish detective film shows one character for most of the movie. Asger Holm is a suspended police officer who works as a 112 emergency operator while he awaits a hearing in court. At the end of the day, he receives a call from a woman who imitates a conversation with her daughter. Asger guesses that she has been kidnapped and passes the request on to the police. The facts and evidence point to a simple outcome, but the detective launches his own investigation, as the chances of the hostage’s survival are diminishing by the minute.

The Nile Hilton Incident (2017)

---

Popular singer Lalina dies in a luxury hotel in Cairo. Despite having an eyewitness to the crime, the police quickly close the case, labeling it a suicide. Noredin Mostafa, a nondescript detective with no ambition who was assigned to the case, realizes how low his position is in the world of big money and connections. Unwilling to accept reality, the policeman decides to get to the bottom of the truth, even if it means death. The film is unusual because the detective’s action takes place not in snowy Scandinavia, but in warm Egypt.

3 Things (2017)

---

The protagonist of this atmospheric Danish thriller is an experienced bomber who is part of a gang of Serbian robbers. After being imprisoned, Mikael agrees to turn in his former accomplice Mark Rukov in exchange for immunity. In top secret, the witness is taken to a hotel room to testify in court in the morning. But first, Mikael asks for three wishes to be granted: to deliver a suitcase with his belongings, to invite his ex-girlfriend, and to eat chicken from Venus Pizza.

The Wave (2015)

---

The Scandinavian disaster film tells the story of seismologist Christian Eikord, who lives in the village of Geiranger with his wife and children. His colleagues have organized a farewell party for him before he moves to a big city. Suddenly, the sensors that measure the height of the groundwater go off. His colleagues see no reason to be concerned, but Christian can’t get it out of his head. After checking again, Icord realizes that the rocks have shifted and a huge wave is heading towards the village.

A Second Chance (2014)

---

One day, two boys were born in Copenhagen. Oleksandr was a desirable child and grew up in a happy family, with love and care. But he passed away early. Sofus, on the contrary, was not wanted by anyone, but miraculously survived. Fate met two different families, and the result was kidnapping. In this dramatic thriller produced in Denmark and Sweden, director Susanne Bier once again proved her professionalism in creating realistic works.

The Hidden Child (2013)

---

The thrilling Scandinavian film with elements of thriller and detective is an adaptation of the works of Camilla Lökberg, known for her unexpected endings. The events of the first part take place in a small fishing town located on the sea coast. It is here that the writer Erika lives, hoping to find creative inspiration among the picturesque Scandinavian nature. The measured provincial life of the detective heroine is overshadowed by the news of a terrible incident that happened by the sea.

Echoes from the Dead (2013)

---

Yulia, a single woman who lost her son 20 years ago, returns to the island of Eland. On that day, his grandfather lost sight of his grandson, and after a long search, the boy was declared missing. But the grandfather does not give up hope and suspects the triple killer Niels Kant of the kidnapping. Yulia is skeptical of her father’s words, because this man died before her son disappeared. But why do people keep seeing Nils in the wasteland at dusk? The Swedish detective movie is worth watching for all fans of typically Scandinavian cinema.

Read more:

• 20 Scandinavian detective thrillers worth watching: part 1