Movie review
February 28, 2020 · 104 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Mortal is a 2020 Norwegian fantasy action film directed by André Øvredal. It follows Eric, an American-Norwegian backpacker who awakens with god-like elemental powers tied to Norse mythology and must evade authorities after his abilities cause accidental deaths. The story draws directly from ancient folklore like Thor’s artifacts and Yggdrasil, presenting a straightforward superhero origin without modern social or identity messaging.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Mortal.
Woke representation / casting
Minor visible diversity with Priyanka Bose in a supporting US agent role that fits the extradition plot; main cast aligns naturally with Norwegian setting and ancestral heritage story. No signaling or mismatches.
Woke political dialogue
No activist, identity, or social-justice language; conversations center on power control, personal heritage, and immediate survival.
Identity-driven story themes
Focuses on discovering ancient Norse ancestral powers and emotional self-control in a modern setting, but frames it as mythological fantasy rather than contemporary identity affirmation or social justice.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Depicts US authorities aggressively pursuing and labeling the protagonist a terrorist after defensive power use; follows standard individual-versus-state fantasy tropes without modern systemic, patriarchal, or colonial framing.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant; original story inspired by but not ideologically altering Norse mythology or historical figures.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No public complaints or social media backlash accusing the film of woke, DEI, or identity-politics messaging; limited reaction stays neutral.
Creator track record context
Core team including director André Øvredal and producers specializes in commercial genre, horror, and Norwegian cultural films; no documented pattern of activist, DEI, or identity-driven creative work.
