Lords of Chaos (2018)

A teenager's quest to launch Norwegian Black Metal in Oslo in the early 1990s results in a very violent outcome.

Director:

Jonas Åkerlund

Writers:

Dennis Magnusson (screenplay by), Jonas Åkerlund (screenplay by)

Stars:

Emory Cohen, Jack Kilmer, Sky Ferreira

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emory Cohen	...	Kristian 'Varg' Vikernes
Jack Kilmer	...	Pelle 'Dead' Olmin
Sky Ferreira	...	Ann-Marit
Valter Skarsgård	...	Bård Guldvik 'Faust' Eithun
Anthony De La Torre	...	Jan Axel 'Hellhammer' Blomberg
Jonathan Barnwell	...	Jørn 'Necrobutcher' Stubberud
Sam Coleman	...	Jon 'Metalion' Kristiansen
Wilson Gonzalez	...	Varg's Driver
Lucian Charles Collier	...	Stian 'Occultus' Johannsen
Andrew Lavelle	...	Gylve 'Fenriz' Nagell
James Edwyn	...	Kjetil 'Manheim'
Gustaf Hammarsten	...	Finn Tender
Jon Øigarden	...	Magne Andreassen
Arion Csihar	...	Attila Csihar
Jason Arnopp	...	Jason Arnopp

Storyline

Oslo, 1987. 17-year-old Euronymous is determined to escape his traditional upbringing and becomes fixated on creating 'true Norwegian black metal' with his band Mayhem. He mounts shocking publicity stunts to put the band's name on the map, but the lines between show and reality start to blur. Arson, violence and a vicious murder shock the nation that is under siege by these Lords of Chaos.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to scorpions the band | heavy metal music | suicide by gun | self mutilation | stabbed in the head | 

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Taglines:

Based on Truth and Lies.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Horror | Music | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, disturbing behavior, grisly images, strong sexuality, nudity, and pervasive language

Details

Country:

UK Sweden

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 2019 (UK)

Also Known As:

Lords of Chaos

Filming Locations:

Oslo, Norway

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,649, 10 February 2019, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$120,780, 21 February 2019

Company Credits

Production Co:

4 1/2 Film, Chimney, Eleven Arts

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Varg Vikernes stated in a 2016 video that Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone all denied this movie rights to their music. However, since then it has transpired that the movie does in fact contain some of Mayhem's songs and (according to an interview with Jonas the director) "the key players" are on board with the film.

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Connections

References Halloween (1978)

User Reviews

Autistic Reviewers opinion on this movie.

Without knowing what to expect and what it would be about, Lords of Chaos is not only a solid piece of film but an engaging, darkly comical but at times a tense drama film based on actual true events that took place within the uprising of Norwegian metal music in the late 80's and early 90's, revolving around bands Mayhem and Burzem.

With having said that, the rest is really best to be seen unfolded in front of your eyes to leave an amazing impression as it had on us. The script and pace work is great, there's never a dull moment despite a few sequences that can be confronting for its subject matter (including suicide, murder and religious retaliations. The acting range is great with no signs showing of mis-casting, the performance of Rory Culkin and Emory Cohen together is great but really tense in it's third act, whilst it's director Jonas Åkerlund helms with his past experiences in being in a metal music group. Surprisingly, the film carriers a lot of darkly toned humour and brutal moments of violent crimes for a drama film, being based on the biographical book of the same name.

Lords of Chaos is really an unexpected surprise of a film, only not long ago we saw the impressive Bohemian Rhapsody but this film (which is most likely to get a bigger release next year) takes it higher with its true story behind it, the age of metal music and the brutal events that took place.

4.5/5 Written by Nick.