Polar (2019) – A Hyper-Stylized, Bloody Farewell to Retirement
Polar (2019), directed by Jonas Åkerlund and based on the graphic novel Polar: Came From the Cold by Victor Santos, is an unapologetically over-the-top, hyper-violent action thriller that plunges viewers into a world of assassins, betrayal, and explosive revenge. With Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role as a world-weary hitman on the verge of retirement, the film delivers a slick and savage ride that’s as stylized as it is brutal.
At the heart of the story is Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, one of the world’s deadliest assassins. He's just days away from retiring from an organization that demands total loyalty—and sees retirement as a liability. The company, headed by the gleefully sadistic Mr. Blut (Matt Lucas), starts eliminating its soon-to-be-retired employees to avoid paying their hefty pensions. Duncan, of course, becomes the next target.
What follows is a cat-and-mouse chase filled with flamboyant killers, neon-drenched gunfights, and ultraviolent action sequences. While Duncan tries to live a quiet life in a snowy, remote town and even begins to bond with his mysterious and traumatized neighbor Camille (Vanessa Hudgens), his past inevitably catches up with him. Once he’s pushed too far, the film shifts into full-blown vengeance mode, with Duncan turning into a one-man army.
Mads Mikkelsen carries the film with a quiet, cold intensity. Covered in scars and often seen brooding in silence, his performance channels the pain and exhaustion of a man who has done terrible things—and now wants to be left alone. He’s not a quippy action hero; he’s lethal, calculating, and emotionally distant. Yet, through subtle expressions and his evolving relationship with Camille, Mikkelsen gives Duncan surprising depth.
In stark contrast to Duncan’s somber demeanor, the film’s villains and visual style are loud, exaggerated, and often absurd. The team of young assassins hunting Duncan are cartoonish in their personalities and ruthless in their actions. Matt Lucas’s Mr. Blut is played like a Bond villain on steroids—more grotesque clown than cold mastermind, which may not work for everyone.
Visually, Polar is a mix of comic book panels come to life and music video aesthetics, which isn’t surprising considering Åkerlund’s background in directing music videos for Madonna and Beyoncé. The film plays with harsh lighting, saturated color palettes, and stylized editing. It’s not always elegant, but it’s undeniably striking. Action sequences are shot with kinetic energy and feature plenty of blood, bullets, and brutality.
That said, Polar isn’t for everyone. Its tonal whiplash—from quiet character drama to absurd, gory excess—can be jarring. The film’s violence is extreme and often gleeful, which might turn off viewers expecting a more grounded action flick. And while the plot is relatively simple, some of its more exploitative elements feel over-indulgent.
In conclusion, Polar (2019) is a bloody, stylish, and polarizing (pun intended) assassin flick that revels in excess. Powered by Mikkelsen’s magnetic presence, it offers a visually bold and brutally entertaining ride—especially for fans of graphic novels, revenge thrillers, and stylized violence with a dark twist.
