Since its release on Netflix on January 1, Number 24 captivates audiences around the world. Directed by John Andreas Andersen, this Norwegian historical drama rose to 2nd place among the most viewed films in France on the platform.
With an impressive 96% recommendation rate on Rotten Tomatoesthis feature film traces the true story of Gunnar Sønsteby, a young Norwegian resistance fighter who became an emblematic figure of the Second World War, who died in 2012.
Inspired by a true story
In Nazi-occupied Norway in 1940, young Gunnar Sønsteby, a 21-year-old apprentice, refuses to submit to the invader. Determined to resist, he joined the famous resistance group nicknamed Oslo Gang. Under the pseudonym Number 24, he orchestrated sabotage, notably preventing the forced enlistment of young Norwegians on the Eastern Front. The film draws its inspiration from Sønsteby's memoirs, published after the war, and from carefully researched historical archives.
The faithful reconstruction of the events transports the viewer to a frozen and tense Norway, where every decision can cost their lives. Gunnar Sønsteby, played by Sjur Vatne Brean, plays a complex hero, torn between his patriotic duty and the weight of his actions.
An achievement hailed by the public and critics
Already known for The Quake (2018) et The North Sea (2023), John Andreas Andersen, book with Number 24 a drama that combines intensity and historical depth. Through realistic cinematography, it depicts Norway under Nazi occupation, in which every gesture of resistance could cost lives.
The film alternates between Gunnar Sønsteby's heroic journey and contemporary moments where, as he grows older, he passes on his story to a new generation. This narrative choice, according to the British site The Review Geekresults in a “magnificent crescendo” emotional. Without glorification, the director explores Gunnar's moral dilemmas, between commitment to his country and the weight of the consequences.
Cinematic success
Released in Norwegian cinemas in the autumn, Number 24 immediately aroused enthusiastic critical reception, and was awarded a score of 8.1/10 on IMDb. Norwegian media The film police salutes an achievement “faithful to historical facts, supported by classic narration and immersive staging”.
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Number 24 is thus added to the rich list of historical films on the Second World War, a genre which shows no sign of running out of steam, both in terms of its diversity and the enthusiasm of spectators. In 2024, titles like A lifeavailable on Prime Video or Messengers of war on Netflix have captivated for their humanity, while Blitz on Apple TV+ and Oppenheimer (available on VOD on several platforms) explored other moral dilemmas of this period.
