‘Ragnarok’ promises a gripping modern take on Norse mythology as fantasy fans eagerly await new Netflix show
A hero shall rise and fight the old evils. Or so the trailer of ‘Ragnarok’ says. Netflix is about to drop its next original drama-thriller but in Norwegian this time. The story, as we see, follows teenage brothers Magne (David Stakston) and Laurits (Jonas Strand Gravli) who move with their family to the small town of Edda, tucked somewhere in Norway. No sooner have they found their footing in a new place among new people, than their adventures take off. Not to be confused with adventures of adolescence, circumstances that these two boys and their friends encounter will be way different than what you can ever expect. Magne will discover inexplicable powers that do not belong to this world and with his newfound invulnerability, he will challenge unanticipated and unimaginable forces.
Here’s what we understand of the concept so far.
For those uninitiated on Norse mythology or the ancient Nordic culture, Ragnarok is defined as the ultimate war between the gods and the giants. According to Norse folklore, the war marks the final destruction of the world in a conflict between Aesir and Loki, as the underworld tries to overrule the heavens. Also called the Twilight of the Gods, Ragnarok is a moment of the apocalypse that took place in the mythological site of Edda (or the locale as mentioned in the show’s plot). However, Ragnarok, as the Norse tales say, is not an event but rather a turning point in the history of Norsemen, when the cycle of life across the nine worlds (of Norse mythology) comes to an end and start afresh.
The modern drama-thriller takes cues from these ancient tales of Nordic culture and blends them into a modern tale of deception, secrets and fight for justice. In this coming-of-age drama-thriller, Magne, his brother, and his friends are faced with invincible and powerful people around them, who would go to any length to make their power and influence felt. There is also a serious angle of climate change and political conspiracies that will find its way into the story. If we have to assume what could ensue, we would say that the old gods will rise in the face of misery, and in their mysterious ways of bringing justice to the world, they will assume their powers through Magne. And that is when we will see Ragnarok unfold all over again.
A fascinating concoction of fantasy, drama, thriller, and socio-political conspiracy, the six-part series promises a sensory joyride and we can’t wait for Magne’s mystery to unravel.
‘Ragnarok’ premiers on Netflix, on January 31, 2020.