Introducing Polar (2019): A Gritty Neo-Noir Action Thriller

Released on January 25, 2019, Polar is a neo-noir action thriller that brings the visceral energy of a graphic novel to the screen. Directed by Jonas Åkerlund and based on Víctor Santos’ Polar: Came From the Cold (published by Dark Horse Comics), the film stars Mads Mikkelsen as Duncan Vizla, a retiring assassin targeted by his own employer. With a bold visual style, a pulsating soundtrack by Deadmau5, and a cast that includes Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick, and Matt Lucas, Polar delivers a polarizing yet unforgettable cinematic experience. This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the film, exploring its origins, plot, cast, production, critical reception, and its place in the action genre.

Origins and Development

Polar began as an adaptation of Víctor Santos’ 2013 graphic novel Polar: Came From the Cold, a gritty, dialogue-light story that emphasized stark visuals and relentless action. The project was first announced in October 2014, with Dark Horse Entertainment and Constantin Film developing a live-action adaptation based on a spec script by Jayson Rothwell. The film gained traction in October 2017 when Mads Mikkelsen signed on to star as Duncan Vizla, also known as The Black Kaiser. By February 2018, Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick, and Matt Lucas joined the cast, with Netflix securing distribution rights, signaling the streaming giant’s growing investment in original action content.

Filming commenced in early February 2018 in Orono, Ontario, Canada, and continued in Toronto, wrapping later that month. The production utilized diverse locations, including the residence of musician Deadmau5 for the opening scene, where he also crafted the film’s original score. Released worldwide on Netflix on January 25, 2019, Polar was positioned as a high-octane alternative to mainstream action hits like John Wick, though its exaggerated style and graphic content sparked debate among viewers and critics alike. The film’s development culminated in plans for a follow-up, The Black Kaiser, announced in 2022, which will revisit the character with a new take rather than a direct sequel.

Plot and Setting

Polar centers on Duncan Vizla (Mads Mikkelsen), a legendary assassin known as The Black Kaiser, who is nearing mandatory retirement at age 50 from Damocles, a shadowy organization of contract killers. As retirement looms, Duncan is set to receive an $8 million pension, but his employer, Mr. Blut (Matt Lucas), deems him a liability and seeks to eliminate him to avoid the payout. Duncan, living in a remote cabin in Montana, finds himself hunted by a team of younger, ruthless assassins, including Sindy (Ruby O. Fee), Facundo (Anthony Grant), Hilde (Fei Ren), Alexei (Josh Cruddas), and Karl (Robert Maillet).

The story unfolds across multiple locations, from the snowy wilderness of Montana to the urban grit of Chile and Belarus, reflecting the global scope of Duncan’s dangerous world. As he evades his pursuers, Duncan forms an unlikely bond with Camille (Vanessa Hudgens), a reclusive young woman with a traumatic past, adding an emotional layer to the otherwise relentless action. The plot weaves together brutal fight scenes, graphic torture sequences, and moments of dark humor, culminating in Duncan’s quest for revenge against Damocles.

The narrative draws heavily from its graphic novel roots, prioritizing visual storytelling over deep character development. While the premise echoes films like John Wick—a lone assassin facing overwhelming odds—Polar distinguishes itself with its over-the-top villains, vibrant color palette, and a tone that oscillates between gritty realism and cartoonish excess. The film’s 118-minute runtime, while criticized by some as overly long, allows for a slow-burn buildup that contrasts with its explosive action set pieces.

Cast and Characters

The cast of Polar brings a mix of seasoned actors and unexpected choices, contributing to the film’s eclectic tone:

• Mads Mikkelsen as Duncan Vizla (The Black Kaiser): Mikkelsen delivers a commanding performance as the stoic, battle-hardened assassin. His physicality and understated charisma anchor the film, even as the script offers limited emotional depth. Critics praised Mikkelsen’s ability to elevate the material, though some noted his apparent disengagement in less dynamic scenes.
• Vanessa Hudgens as Camille: Hudgens, known for lighter roles in films like High School Musical, takes a dramatic turn as Camille, a traumatized woman who becomes Duncan’s ally. Her understated performance adds a poignant counterpoint to the film’s violence, earning praise for its authenticity.
• Katheryn Winnick as Vivian: Winnick plays a cold, calculating Damocles operative tasked with overseeing Duncan’s elimination. Her role, while limited, showcases her ability to portray steely determination.
• Matt Lucas as Mr. Blut: Lucas, a comedic actor known for Little Britain, is a surprising choice as the film’s primary antagonist. His portrayal of the sadistic, cartoonish Blut divides viewers—some find it entertainingly over-the-top, while others see it as a tonal misstep.
• Supporting Cast: The ensemble includes Ruby O. Fee as Sindy, Fei Ren as Hilde, Anthony Grant as Facundo, Josh Cruddas as Alexei, and Robert Maillet as Karl, forming the hit squad. Cameos by Johnny Knoxville and Richard Dreyfuss add brief but memorable moments, with Knoxville’s opening scene setting the film’s provocative tone.

The performances, particularly Mikkelsen’s and Hudgens’, provide the film with moments of humanity, though the exaggerated villainy of Lucas and the hit squad leans heavily into comic-book caricature, aligning with the source material’s aesthetic.

Production and Creative Team

Polar is a visually distinctive film, shaped by a talented creative team:

• Director: Jonas Åkerlund, a Swedish filmmaker known for music videos (Madonna, U2) and films like Lords of Chaos (2018), infuses Polar with a kinetic, stylized energy. His background in music videos is evident in the film’s bold color palette, rapid editing, and Instagram-filter-like visuals.
• Screenwriter: Jayson Rothwell adapts Santos’ graphic novel, emphasizing action and atmosphere over intricate plotting. Rothwell’s script has been criticized for its predictability and lack of depth but praised for its fidelity to the source material’s tone.
• Producers: Jeremy Bolt, Hartley Gorenstein, and Robert Kulzer lead the production, with executive producers including Mikkelsen, Martin Moszkowicz, Mike Richardson, and Keith Goldberg. Constantin Film and Dark Horse Entertainment co-produced, with Netflix handling distribution.
• Music: Deadmau5, a prominent electronic music artist, composed the film’s score, released on January 25, 2019. Tracks like “Midas Heel” and “Drama Free” (featuring Lights) incorporate elements from his earlier work, enhancing the film’s modern, edgy vibe.
• Cinematography and Editing: Pär M. Ekberg’s cinematography captures the film’s vivid contrasts, from snowy landscapes to neon-lit urban settings. Editor Doobie White’s fast-paced cuts amplify the action but occasionally overwhelm the narrative.

The production faced challenges in balancing the graphic novel’s minimalist storytelling with the demands of a feature-length film. Åkerlund’s decision to lean into the source material’s violence and sexuality—complete with graphic torture, explicit scenes, and a body count that includes minor characters like Nick Alachiotis and Rodney Alexandre—resulted in a TV-MA rating and polarized audience reactions.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

Polar received mixed reviews, with critics and audiences divided over its stylistic excesses and narrative shortcomings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 18% approval rating based on 50 reviews, with a critical consensus stating, “An action thriller starring Mads Mikkelsen as the world’s most dangerous assassin should be terrifically entertaining, but Polar proves it’s possible to ruin anything if you try”. Metacritic reports a score of 19/100 based on 12 critics, indicating “overwhelming dislike”. Roger Ebert’s Peter Sobczynski called it “a gross, stupid and relentlessly ugly film,” criticizing its lack of substance and Mikkelsen’s apparent boredom.

However, some reviewers and fans found Polar to be a guilty pleasure. A user review on IMDb praised its “over-the-top action” and “perfectly cast” actors, giving it an 8/10 and predicting cult classic status. Another viewer on Reddit admitted to watching it multiple times, citing an inexplicable enjoyment despite its flaws. The Hollywood Outsider noted the film’s “layered subplots” and strong performances by Mikkelsen and Hudgens, though it acknowledged uneven dialogue. The film’s defenders often highlight its visual flair, Deadmau5’s soundtrack, and Mikkelsen’s charisma, arguing that it succeeds as a “crunchy” action flick when approached with low expectations.

Common criticisms include the film’s pacing issues, predictable plot, and tonal inconsistencies, particularly Matt Lucas’ cartoonish villain. Supporters, however, appreciate its unapologetic embrace of graphic novel aesthetics, comparing it to a blend of Liam Neeson actioners, Guy Ritchie’s gangster films, and superhero movies. The film’s violence and sexual content also sparked debate, with some calling it gratuitous and others seeing it as integral to the neo-noir vibe.

Significance and Legacy

Polar occupies a unique niche in the action genre, bridging the gritty realism of John Wick with the stylized excess of comic-book adaptations. While it falls short of its predecessor’s critical acclaim, it offers a bold, unfiltered take on the “aging assassin” trope, bolstered by Mikkelsen’s gravitas and Åkerlund’s audacious direction. The film’s release on Netflix, alongside other 2019 originals like Roma and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, underscored the platform’s willingness to take risks on divisive projects, though Polar struggled to match the prestige of its counterparts.

The announcement of The Black Kaiser, a new adaptation of the Polar graphic novel starring Mikkelsen and directed by Åkerlund, suggests the character’s enduring appeal. Described as neither a sequel nor a prequel, the project aims to explore Duncan Vizla’s world further, with Mikkelsen co-writing the screenplay. This development indicates that Polar’s cult following, driven by fans who embrace its “edgelord” energy, may grow over time.

The film also highlights the challenges of adapting minimalist graphic novels for the screen. While Polar succeeds in capturing the visual and tonal essence of Santos’ work, its narrative expansions—such as Camille’s subplot and the corporate conspiracy—received mixed reactions for diluting the source material’s focus. Nonetheless, its influence can be seen in later Netflix action films that prioritize style and spectacle, such as Extraction (2020).

Conclusion

Polar (2019) is a polarizing addition to the action thriller genre, blending neo-noir grit with graphic novel exuberance. Anchored by Mads Mikkelsen’s magnetic performance and Jonas Åkerlund’s fearless direction, the film delivers a sensory overload of violence, humor, and visual flair, set to Deadmau5’s electrifying score. While its narrative flaws and tonal inconsistencies drew critical ire, its unapologetic style and strong performances by Mikkelsen and Vanessa Hudgens have earned it a dedicated fanbase. As a Netflix original, Polar reflects the streaming era’s appetite for bold, genre-driven content, paving the way for future explorations of Duncan Vizla’s world in The Black Kaiser. For viewers seeking a visceral, no-holds-barred action experience, Polar remains a flawed but thrilling ride that lingers long after the credits roll.