User Reviews

C’est un cravateux spécialisé dans le recrutement d’autres cravateux mais qui à ses heures perdues vole des tableaux pour arrondir ses fins de mois… oui, c’est déjà tiré par les cheveux mais bon… ce n’est rien à côté de ce qui suit et s’ensuit dans ce film qui devient assez vite un simple thriller à l’américaine qui n’a qu’un très vague rapport avec le début (et pourtant, ce film n’a rien d’américain à la base !). En effet, les invraisemblances se succèdent comme à la parade, de plus en plus aberrantes et… invraisemblables jusqu’au grotesque… Certes, l’action reste bien présente mais sans intérêt aucun puisqu’il arrive n’importe quoi dans ce « thriller » qui raconte que des conneries, puis tente de se justifier vers la fin par quelques pirouettes encore plus aberrantes que ridicules (et inversement). Néanmoins, la réalisation est très présentable et on peut se rincer l’oeil ici et là, vu que le film ne lésine pas sur quelques jambonneuses tout à fait haut de gamme, notamment une blonde immense et superbe (une vraie walkyrie !). Bien entendu, ça ne transforme pas cette daube en carrosse pour autant (c’est tellement n’importe quoi, à faire mourir de honte les pires hollywooderies en la matière !).

A popcorn-munching entertainer. Aksel Hennie is very cool. I wish it was a series.

This is quite a fast paced crime/thriller with some pretty tense and gripping moments. The characters aren't particularly likeable (particularly the main character. Roger) and it felt a bit too fast and frenzied for my liking, as I didn't entirely follow all the plot intrecacies. The effects are decent but the film didn't feel entirely original somehow - its a decent film but it didn't entirely sit well with me overall. I've perhaps seen too many similar films lately. I can't say its entirely memorable and overall I probably wouldn't recommend this as such, no but you could certainly do worse as well - it may be worth seeing if its your kind of thing but I'll leave that up to you to decide.

It takes forever to get going, honestly the first half hour even bored me. The cat and mouse narrative doesn't have much to absorb and the most entertaining part comes at the end when there's really no interest in the outcome. Now add to that the notable lack of a compelling character to root for, Headhunters comes across as a mediocre and weak thriller for something that could have made better use of its plot.

In attempting to be both a noir and a man-on-the-run thriller, "Headhunters" already has big shoes to fill, but when the pitch is to also add in a couple hints of Guy Ritchie and "The Thomas Crown" affair, now you're just talking crazy. Well, "Headhunters" is nothing short of just that -- craziness. Director Morten Tyldum, performers Aksel Hennie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and chief screenwriters Lars Gudmestad and Ulf Ryberg, take this Jo Nesbo story of excess, hubris, and danger, and elevate to the heights of cinematic confection. This is a richly over-the-top, yet still nail-bitingly thrilling caper with enough twists and caveats to keep glued to the screen for (what I hoped would end up being) a three-and-a-half hour affair. And though it sadly comes in at just under two, boy, is it a ride to remember.

An alright thriller with two truly great scenes. 1. Roger burying himself in all the fecal matter at the bottom of a porta potty, using the cardboard of the toilet paper roll as a breathing hole. 2. The twist of whether or not his wife was trying to kill him. In the garage when he finds the dead body of his security helper buddy in his car and then his wife comes out to check on him...damn what a situation for both of them to be in. It was fun and nerve-wracking watching both of them trying to guess what the other knows. Great stuff there, though the rest is just ok. Short man gets his hot wife and saves the day and all is forgotten and forgiven. Who knew that getting married meant your wife actually loves you? Who knew she meant it when she said she wants kids?

A slick and stylish thriller from director Morten Tyldum, Headhunters is a very satisfying experience with some killer direction, great action sequences, and a fantastically written story that is entirely captivating. The film can be quite complex and hard to understand, but by the end everything is clear and, at that moment, you realize how well thought out and well-crafted the overall film truly was. The acting is good and the characters are well-written and equally as complex as the film. In fact, this one is quite character-driven on the whole. Headhunters' major drawback is the lack of originality, but it does feel quite fresh and is so well-made, it is impossible to write-off at all. Overall, this is a fantastically entertaining and thrilling experience that is a feast for the eyes thanks to its stylish action.

A captivating Scandinavian cat-and-mouse thriller that makes for a tight, incredibly entertaining ride. Director Morten Tyldum’s cinematic rendering offers palpable suspense, plenty of action, and a clever story line that’s hard to come by in the action-thriller genre. Tyldum succeeds by ignoring the particulars of common sense, darting full speed ahead, heaping on the twists with little regard for realism. Tyldum makes this tactic work for the film, constructing a series of imaginatively designed set pieces that are as tense as they are farcical. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, clearly made with an awareness of the silliness of it all, which strengthens the enjoyment of the viewing experience and overall resolution. Aksel Hennie, who stars as the protagonist Roger Brown, is the go-to person anyone would need as a job reference. The ambitious headhunter is one of the best in his industry with arrogance to spare. His opening monologue about reputation is so seductive it will have you hanging on to his every word. But Jo Nesbø's novel is more than meets the eye, and Mr. Brown has a separate occupation. With his contacts and hundreds of interviews set up with potential candidates for C-level jobs, opportunity comes in setting up the meetings, and then robbing them blind of valuable art, with counterfeits in their place. Roger readily admits he's overspending, with almost all expenses going into impressing his wife Diana (Synnøve Macody Lund), who is high maintenance, and out of his league. What seems to be just another mark with his latest job seeker, Clas Greve (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), backfires on Roger, as the film kicks into high gear. Roger suspects his wife is having an affair with Clas, a one time mercenary soldier who has found better fortune now as a CEO of a technology company, and who has a long lost painting stored in his Norwegian home. Jo Nesbø's story throws us a line, and hooks us line and sinker, into what turns out to be an extremely engaging, cat and mouse game of battle and wits between these two men. Director Morten Tylan does a masterful job keeping the suspense in high gear and cohesive narrative throughout. Tylan impressively infuses the films action-oriented moments with a visceral, white-knuckle feel that proves impossible to resist. The inclusion of a few astoundingly tense moments perpetuates the movie's shift into a seriously engrossing piece of cinema. Although the climax isn't quite up to the level of that which preceded it, “Headhunters” has already established itself as one of the most exciting, flat-out captivating thrillers to come around in quite some time.

A slick Norwegian thriller from director Morten Tyldum, HEADHUNTERS is a thoroughly gripping and spanking high-octane cat-mouse game (magnificent suspense enhancer), which is goodly on a par with any of its qualified Hollywood counterparts (a US remake is already on the process). An obnoxiously premise always forebodes something ominous is looming in the air, a vertically challenged headhunter (the same height as mine, I feel so blessed I’m not living in Scandinavian region) whose clandestine identity is a painting thieve, lives an (almost) perfect life, the ostensible glitch is the reluctance to have a baby with his tall and sultry wife (who is a gallery owner), so what is the purpose to find a towering wife if he doesn’t want any offspring to offset his genetic shortcoming? The prompt reason is fertility malfunction, which actually is not the case at all. In fact, a probable financial quandary is the latent menace which will overturn his plush lifestyle so when an opportunity arrives unwittingly, he decides to make his final job, which could set him free of his past and guarantee an opulent future, against an intimidating alpha-male (ex marine and tracking expert), then of course things will slide down to a nightmare he has never imagined, after the travails of narrow escapes from death, remarkably he is able to shift from the victim to a plotter and eventually defeats his enemy, gets away with the law and revitalize his relationship with his wife, an overtly optimistic happy-ending. The film consistently registers the fast-paced rhythm running around an over-manipulated plot, including many shock-value stunts which craftily exerted (an unexpected come-back-from-the-dead upset, the cesspit hiding, and the gruesome aftermath of a police vehicle careening off the cliff, etc.), but in order to pull off a thorny come-clean turnabout, if giving a considerable amount of time to muse on after the viewing, many plot-holes will betray (not everything can be pigeonholed as a fluke in the spiderweb of meticulous criminal activities), and unexplained loopholes are glaring enough to an extent which would categorically diminish the frisson which one could apprehend first-hand. Leading man Aksel Hennie delivers a dynamic momentum in his physically-racked bullet-avoiding incubus, and confidently evokes an anti-hero aura which would otherwise be running against the audience’s conscience. The Hollywood-struggling Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (from GAME OF THRONES series and Jessica Chastain-vehicled horror feature MAMA 2013) is ill-starred as the villain, largely sidelined except his virile extravaganza (the final face-off is a major let-down). Two female characters are ambivalently written here, one is to keep the scheme as misty as possible and another is simply garnished as an additional action gadget to the main course. So, although the film may feel tainted after a second viewing (which I may politely bypass), there is some genuine novelty and sufficient workmanship in the making, and inasmuch as there are two things we cannot defy, one is the gravity and another is a writer’s block, let’s overlook the elephant in the room and cherish an adrenalin-driven adventure.

This is a superb film, expertly crafted on every level. There are so many brilliant 'edge of your seat' set pieces that stay in your mind when the film has finished. It moves a long at a really good pace with slick editing and a score that keeps you transfixed throughout. One of the best thrillers I've seen in a long long time and a script that really brings the characters to life. These Norwegians don't mess around when it comes to film making. I can't wait to see more stuff from the guys who put this one together. Spot on

Norway's top corporate headhunter, Roger Brown, is an insecure, slightly built man married to a tall beautiful woman who he looks up to. When she opens an art gallery , he seizes on an opportunity to rise from a small part-time art thief to the big leagues. His plan runs a cropper when he tries to steal a Rubens painting from would-be CEO, Clas Greven, who unfortunately for Brown, is also an ex- navy seal type. Claus has a plan too. This is an action packed thriller, with social commentary and significant psychological insights. In other words, not for most American audiences (Yes, that means it has subtitles, and you have to be able to read and watch simultaneously). This film has elements of the best of suspense/action directors like **** Coppola and Greenglass, and if you love action films with gorgeous complex women, great story and plot, and credible leading men who are not caricatures, then you should see (or rent ) this film.

A very well made European film that was made on a small budget, with some very impressive cinematography, good written story by Jo nesbo and top notch casting make this a must watch.

Headhunters starts off as a pretty straightforward heist movie, but with a few sudden and sharp turns things get out of hand fast! Story-wise that is, because everything else about this movie is wonderfully realised, the performances, the cinematography: it is very well directed. Some story contrivances and scenes of unnecessary gore, were the only semi-negatives. What ties it together is an incredible heart at the centre of the film, ultimately it's about a man who's afraid of losing his love, and that makes this film a brilliant watch.

What a great movie. I guess this will be the Norwegian entry for the Academy Awards. Very good story, fast, intelligent, very good lead actor, wonderful performances in general. Sure it's all about that special thing in the motion picture industry, I guess this Director has just built his ..., it starts with an 'r' ;)

The most intense, exciting and well-made movie I have seen in YEARS! Probably the best EVER in it's genre!! A must see for anyone and everyone, take all your friends!!!

A Scandinavian shade of dark carefully panned thriller, with a number of ever escalating and unimaginable twists and turns, keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Unless you are averse to films with subtitles, watch it before you are faced with the dilemma of choosing the unavoidable glossy Hollywood remake.

Aksel Hennie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (a.k.a. Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones) team up in this Norwegian thriller and offer viewers a stunning, memorable acting. Although with some minor flaws in the plot and some moments that recall more a tragicomedy than a fully-fledged thriller, Headhunters is one of the best movies I've seen recently. It raised my heartbeat in a way unseen since Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and I fully recommend it to all the fans of Scandinavian criminal shows!

At first the protagonist is the bad guy, but you will soon be rooting for him. This guy is like the Timex watch, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking. There are difficult scenes that you will be watching through your fingers! Very action packed, gory, and fun. You're not sure who is trustworthy at first, even his wife is suspect. A word of warning, it's a Norwegian film so you will have to read captions, and you will need to be a speed reader. I'm sure I missed some of the action on the screen while I was reading the captions.

Dark humour, love story and even the absurd plot is somewhat works. With Sam Raimi level gore and strange everywhere, this is thriller we want to see. It's no Dragon Tattoo after all.

An enjoyable and entertaining film for the first two thirds at which point it loses its plausibility and seems to rush to a finish. Still, this film was better than the last three I had seen. The violence was gory but since it was not widespread throughout it did not detract from the story. I wish they had not rushed the last third of the film so we could absorb the resolution. The finale ventured into the realm of the implausible which lost points with me. Still, an entertaining film overall and well worth a visit to the theater.

ittle Big Man Jo Nesbo, the latest Scandinavian thriller writer, lifted the spirit of Fargo and Harlan Coben in his thriller Headhunters, now adapted into this superior Norwegian (!) film version. Roger Brown (where did he get such an English name?) is the small, successful, scheming headhunter who also doubles as an art thief.Brown lives over his head, has his gorgeous wife who towers over him, and a mop of ridiculous 1980's hair - so he's got to be head and shoulders above any other scalper. 'OK then,' as the Coen Brothers might say, but when he takes on the task of stealing from the hottest new prospect in town (who also owns a priceless painting he must steal), Brown's world starts to fall apart. The wonderful Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (of Game of Thrones fame)who plays the prospect, turns out to be a sexy killer. Roger (Aksel Hennie, brilliant) has to run for his life. His whole life falls to pieces - his partner killed, his wife seduced, even his precious hair is sacrificed. Brown battles against his new and altogether superior, antagonist. Surviving the initial onslaught, the little big man plots his revenge and triumphs over his adversary in a hugely entertaining conclusion. The only thing the film lacks is a heart. All of the protagonists are so deeply flawed, it is difficult to like anyone or believe anything. Though it is brilliantly tied up with some true romance, the fact is, when Roger triumphs, he barely changes from the wicked **** shown in the opening reel. Yes, he does give his now happy wife a baby, gets out of the art thief market, but still, goes back to the world of the headhunter with glee. Maybe this is a small price to pay for such a supremely entertaining thriller. Next year, the inferior US re-make awaits. See the original, dark and chilly as it is

Definitely the most entertaining movie I have seen this year. It was an edge-of-your-seat, roller coaster ride of a movie. Thrilling and funny in an OMG - I can't believe this is happening kind of way, I highly recommend this movie.

One of t h e best movies I've seen this year. Great plot with plenty of twists and turns. A movie easily overlooked until you watch it. If there is one movie to watch this year - it's this one.

A must-see pulpy film with a great story, extreme violence, and lively comedy. If you're a fan of Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones, you'll love his role in Headhunters. I won't spoil the plot here, but I'll say that I could hear half the audience whispering with their partners about the plot machinations as the film progressed. Lots going on, and great fun. But again, if you're not ready for extremely graphic violence (bloody mayhem, etc.), you might need to take a pass.

Movie makes you care about main character with great cast, thrilling story and intense moments and then delivers a satisfying conclusion. Recommended for the fans of recent Girl with the dragon tattoo