Kingmaker // De Mikkel Serup. With Anders W. Berthelsen, Lene Maria Christensen and Tommy Kenter.
After seeing King cabal a long time ago, I was curious to discover how this political story would evolve with its sequel, entitled Kingmaker. In this new production, the political intrigues of the first part return with a touch of novelty, but without escaping a certain redundancy which somewhat harms the originality of the scenario. However, the film manages to capture attention thanks to notable performances from actors, in particular that of Anders W. Berthelsen, who plays Ulrik Torp with undeniable mastery. The common thread of Kingmaker largely takes up the narrative elements of King cabalplunging the viewer once again into the twists and turns of politics and power rivalries. This continuity, although interesting for fans of the first part, gives the sequel an air of déjà vu.
The journalist, Ulrik Torp, after a wave of layoffs and a long phase of unemployment, finds himself an intern where he worked before. His former colleague and current editor-in-chief, Henrik Moll, asks him to cover the murder of a young employee of the Ministry of the Interior. Along with young interns Emma and Simon, Torp follows the trail of a small circle of former politicians and senior civil servants who will do anything to ensure that power remains in safe hands.
The plot indeed follows a similar structure to its predecessor, focusing on a political environment with familiar issues and manipulations. For those who expected a renewal or a plot twist, the story may seem somewhat predictable. That being said, the suspense is well built and the plot still manages to maintain the viewer’s attention. The twists and turns, although not very innovative, are well enough put together to pique curiosity and offer moments of surprise. The story, without being significant, can be followed with interest; it fulfills its entertainment function and leads to some reflections on the nature of power and the limits of morality in the political world. In this context, Anders W. Berthelsen’s interpretation proves to be one of the undeniable strengths of Kingmaker.
The actor plays Ulrik Torp with an intensity that instantly captures the attention, giving the character a depth that sets him apart from the other protagonists. His presence on screen is magnetic and his play of nuances brings out the inner dilemmas of Ulrik, a journalist caught in the cogs of power. Thanks to him, each scene in which he appears takes on an extra dimension, making the plot more credible and captivating. The other characters, although accurately interpreted, struggle to rise to the same level of excellence. They sometimes remain in the shadows, as if they were only there to serve as a backdrop for Berthelsen’s talent. This does not mean that they lack skills, but rather that Berthelsen’s performance is so striking that it overshadows the other roles.
This imbalance creates a dynamic where certain interactions lack punch, but the strength of his interpretation manages to compensate for these weaknesses. Where Kingmaker could have excelled as a sequel, it was by taking the risk of moving further away from the initial plot. The story, although enjoyable, remains too similar to that of King cabalwhich hinders the creative potential of the work. Instead of exploring new dimensions of the political world, the film simply recycles certain themes and plots, giving a feeling of redundancy. In this sense, Kingmaker shows promising signs, but ends up being weighed down by this lack of narrative audacity. However, this choice of continuity could please certain spectators who are looking for stability in a sequel. For those who enjoyed the first part and who wish to rediscover the atmosphere, tensions and moral dilemmas of King cabal, Kingmaker will perfectly meet expectations.
However, for fans of political thrillers looking for something new, the film could leave a taste of unfinished business. In short, Kingmaker partly succeeds in its challenge of extending the captivating story of King cabalwhile relying on talented actors to reinforce its emotional impact. Although its plot lacks originality, Anders W. Berthelsen’s exceptional performance transforms the film into an experience worth watching. His presence, almost magnetic, elevates the entire film and gives it a human and complex dimension, which invites reflection. Kingmaker may not be the most innovative sequel, but it’s still solid entertainment for fans of political drama. If the redundancy of the plot can be seen as a hindrance, the quality of the actors, and in particular that of Berthelsen, succeeds in making this film a satisfying experience.
Note : 6/10. In short, a captivating but unsurprising sequel, carried by a talented actor. For those looking for an intense and well-acted thriller, this film is a good choice, despite a storyline that would have benefited from more renewal.
Coming soon to France
