User Reviews (362)

Add a Review

  • This came as something of a surprise as it's unbelievably well rounded for a first season. Great characters, very funny in places but also with some very dark humour and a lot of incidental violence (so this is absolutely not general family viewing!).

    One thing to note: it's Norwegian but available on Netflix in English. Don't fear poor dubbing though as it's performed in both languages by the same actors which means you lose nothing in the process.

    Final point is how well made it is from a production point of view - it's not a show that particularly needs high production values but it has them. Very much so.

    A great show all round.
  • As a huge fan of Monty Python, I couldn't help but notice the stylistic resemblance, and if you like their approach, this comedy is a must see.

    Summary: modern life issues in a Dark Ages set, as seen through the eyes of a few Viking villagers.

    Then, as if the contrasting modern issues and the medieval set were not enough, there is another hilarious clash, the cultural differences between the Norse village inhabitants and the rest of the world, through the ideas come from afar, with the slaves they bring with them after a successful raid.

    This series also reminds me a bit of Woody Allen's Love and Death, in a sense that one of the main characters is a total misfit, having a completely different philosophy compared to the rest of the villagers. He seems just trapped in a time and place where he doesn't belong (the irony!).

    All in all, I love Norsemen, a sarcastic take on all that's wrong with us today. It is rather a micro-social kind of satire, but I wouldn't be surprised if some current largely debated global issues made their way into the series at some point.
  • Rob133129 September 2022
    I heard such great things about Norsemen for awhile now but still put off watching it for some reason. I'm so glad that I finally gave it a chance because it's hilarious! It's a Viking comedy that's equally funny and violent. It's a sendup of Game of Thrones. It just has such a tongue in cheek, nonchalant approach to everything they do and where the entire cast gets a chance to shine. It will have you laughing throughout the entire series. Each season is as funny as the others. The writers of this show are genius. I've never seen Monty Python but I've seen this get compared to that a lot. At least as far as the humor goes. Don't be like me and go watch this incredibly funny show immediately!
  • rabaker-4685728 August 2017
    This is essentially Vikings with laughs. Very well done and markedly funny. Entertaining and also very timely, what with the recent finale of Game of Thrones. This helps to fill the medieval gap but with a new twist, so this isn't just another poor copy as we've seen start to crop up. Bravo to Norway for producing this great hit, and extra kudos to the cast and crew for filming each scene twice (and most likely many times more) in both Norwegian and English. Hopefully word spreads on this hidden gem and Netflix picks this up for the 2nd season (already filmed).
  • I just stumbled across this on Netflix. I clicked expecting a knock off of Vikings. Something to fill the GOT void.

    Instead I got an interesting surprise, a Viking comedy. So the gritty look of history channels Vikings but actually a lot of humour. Some dark humour and some base humour(which fits the Viking idea very well). It reminds me of the kids show horrible histories, but this is definitely not one for kids. I can see the comparisons between this to Monty python but I actually don't find Monty python funny where this I did.

    The humour may be down to personal taste but I found myself genuinely Laughing at the antics, which is something I don't do often enough with the mainstream comedies.

    In regards to one review saying about the accents....really!? I think the accents actually help make it feel more genuine. Also, these guys filmed in both Norwegian and English that deserves serious kudos. Personally, I massively prefer the accents over dubbing and subtitles.

    This is one show which needs a second season.
  • A great dark comedy that has tremendous production quality. It's humour must be Norwegian as it is almost too serious to be funny but you know the joke is there. Each Episode is choke full of humour and content and The acting is top notch. It doesn't take itself too seriously but maintains its roots. loved it.
  • This is so surprising and funny in a quirky and original way. The Norwegian actors with the their interesting English accents is part of the humor for me. The way they use English is surprising and always so funny. The acting is just fantastic too. It's a stroke of genius to have Vikings talking like modern politically correct office workers. Just cracks you up. Can't praise this enough. As long as you don't mind lots of sexual innuendo and naughty type of humor, this show is wonderful.
  • Just brilliant! Modern day Norwegian righteousness (and tediousness) in all her glory juxtaposed against a backdrop of a fearless Viking past. Extremely well written with deadly one-liners and beautifully acted to boot. It gets even better as it goes on - season 3 is top drawer!
  • With all the fuss over all of the Viking shows out there I am glad to see someone take a comedic look at the whole business. This is a mildly good show that makes fun of all the Norse mythology and the violence of the more 'serious' shows out there. It has some tones of Monty Python and other great satirical shows.
  • Having stumbled into this show while randomly flipping through streaming content, one may initially be slightly confused about what awaits them. However, I can assure you that if you are desperately seeking for a remake of the popular TV show "The Vikings" you have unmistakably come to the wrong place.

    That parrot is no more! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!

    Not understanding this reference to Monty Python certainly doesn't mean that you won't thoroughly enjoy this wonderful new show "Norsemen." It may just mean that you haven't yet been exposed to the type of comedy and dark humor that this amazingly well-made and acted Norwegian comedy has in store for you.

    While it is definitely timely given the rise of shows such as "The Vikings" and "Game of Thrones" along with the huge fan bases they have, "Norsemen" is by no means some clone, cheap knockoff, or spoof as some others have suggested.

    "Norsemen" is a story which uses the lens of 8th century viking life not only to jokingly portray the brutality of the time period but also to examine modern life in a satirical manner distanced from its place in time in order to exploit its absurdity for the viewer.

    "Norsemen" is truly a well-executed show, from the writing and directing, to the staging and absolutely wonderful acting of the cast. If you have ever watched the show "Lilyhammer", and enjoyed it, then you will instantly be pleased when you recognize the presence of some of those amazing actors here. While I didn't really notice it in the former, Trond Fausa (Rufus) now definitely strikes me as a Norwegian Graham Chapman-esque sort of character. In fact, as some have stated the entire production has the sort of feel of one long Monty Python sketch. But don't let a statement like that turn you off if you aren't a huge fan of British humor. "Norsemen" is certainly something different and uniquely enjoyable.

    life and comedy are inseparable and even given its ridiculous nature, a show like this can tell you more about Norse people than a simple viking drama ever could. I happily anticipate your dissent and assure you there will always be room for you in the sad ranks of the humorless and lifeless 1-star reviewers.

    Enjoy! (That's something I just started saying...)
  • Well, this production is definitely different.

    Set design, costuming, scene details, and casting are all incredibly well detailed, which is what makes this series so . . . odd. Just by aesthetic appearance, one would think this is going to be a serious, edgy drama centered around Viking raids, plundering and pillaging, lots of gratuitous violence and so on.

    But no, that's not where this production goes, although there are definitely more than a few moments of Viking violence sprinkled about in this saga. What does actually happen instead is a bizarre, twisted comedy, wrapped around the vicissitudes of daily life, much of which parallels said vicissitudes of modern life, but extruded through the mandrel of 7th century Viking village existence management.

    There is definitely a sort of quasi Monty Pythonesque motif woven throughout this production.

    Maybe it might not be for everyone, and most certainly, if you are looking for a more "traditional" sort of Viking adventure / drama type of series, this is definitely not that.

    But, if you happen to have a passion for offbeat, way outside the box comedy set in the most unlikely of circumstances, this might be just the cup of tea you're looking for.

    Speaking for strictly for me, my primary motivation for watching this production is to watch the astonishingly striking Silje Torp, who is absolutely spectacular to look at and perfectly matches her Viking persona.

    So OK, aside from my infatuation with the spectacular Ms Torp, the ongoing comedy and plot threads, such as they are (the plot threads are mainly just a scaffold for the perpetual ongoing humor vignettes and character studies) are enough to keep me with this, at least for a few episodes. I could see where this might eventually start to run out of fresh material . . . but for the moment, still quite entertaining.

    If anything, just for original concept, I'm good with seven stars for this.
  • Warning: Spoilers
    I didn't know how they would do season 3, since many of the best characters were killed off in season 2. But they took the comedy and turned it on its head by setting it in the past, with hilarious jokes that look forward to the "future" (the map to the west, the chief's murder, and more). Truly hilarious, and Jarl Varg totally steals the show this time.
  • I did not know that Norwegians could be good at comedy but this certainly was worth the time I spent on it. The story was interesting and dark and funny at the same time and I really enjoyed the character development as it went on. The final season (Season 0 as they call it) was quite the bridge as a prequel, seeing as they killed off a major character favourite in the second season but I really wished they had given it one more season as to round it all up, especially following the end of the second season. But if you are looking at something unexpectedly dark and funny (and also Norwegian), why not start here...?
  • cozzy-7003831 October 2018
    Started watching it and gave it a good chance but it failed to make me laugh at all. cringe humour with awful acting. very dry. I can understand how some may like it however I thought it was terrible and not worth the effort at all.
  • Norsemen is a dark and hilarious comedy about Vikings. The humor ranges from subtle and witty to over the top pythonesque silliness. One of the cleverest, best written comedies I've come across in a while. The production values are high, the Norway locations are beautiful and the acting is great. If you are looking for a comedy with some quirky twists check this out.
  • I heard such great things about Norsemen for awhile now but still put off watching it for some reason. I'm so glad that I finally gave it a chance because it's hilarious! Don't be like me and go watch this incredibly funny show immediately!
  • Good cast. good sets. good direction. great English dialogues from non anglophone . sometime cheesy humor,gruesome scenes, over acting. its awesome and not many episodes so far so didn't overstay is welcome like many series do.
  • I always enjoy a good Viking serie / movie. But I really like this one. Great characters and lots of great humor. In Dutch we call it "lekker droog". I am looking forward to more episodes because I already watched them all that are avaible on Netflix!
  • I had an amazing time watching this series. It's gory, gritty and surprisingly full of great humor.

    The characters are well developed, from the great Chieftains right down to the slaves.

    It's just a shame we only got 3 seasons. Hopefully another platform picks up this option, because it deserves more screen time.
  • This won't be for everyone. But I enjoyed it. Norwegian Comedy, similar to Lilly Hammer series. Its a piss take of Vikings show.

    Characters are good, as are the puns and one liners. Nothing new regards re-inventing the Comedy wheel. But it has good continuity in the storytelling and its a quick half hour of entertainment.
  • qui_j30 October 2018
    If you like tongue in cheek humor, Scandinavian style, then this series will not disappoint you. It does help if you understand Norwegian humor as much of it is geared towards a certain amount of political correctness, delivered with a healthy dose of sarcasm. The second series kind of fades a bit in comparison to the first but is still quite funny. Hopefully, if there's a third season, they will pick up again.

    The fact that it is performed in both English and Norwegian by the same actors, shows the versatility of their acting, and hearing English spoken with a Norwegian accent also adds to the charm of the series.
  • The first time we saw it (my Man&I)we had no idea what this show was about,we thought gonna be boring,but we were sssooooo wrong! From beginning to the end of season 1 we were laughing, so from that point on we were hooked. Season 2 was good not si funny as 1 but season 3 (actually beginn of all) madw uo for it again. Can only recommend this funny and amazing show!!! Love it!!!!
  • This has got to be the most clever TV series I have seen in a while. It is an honest portrayal of life - no matter who you are. It has all of the great character development, scenery, cinematography and costumes to make it feel like Vikings or some other big production. However, it is listed as a comedy and you don't expect it or understand how its a comedy until you see it. The comedy is subtle and genius! Very Monty Pythonish - if that makes sense. Every episode - I LMAO! Cant wait to see more!
  • Just started watching this by chance when it came up as something I might like due to other viewing choices, and for about the first four shows, I found myself laughing consistently. Then toward the end of the first season, the jokes just didn't seem to come as often, and I found myself barely able to make it through the 2nd season. Some of the story lines got far too serious, and the lightheartedness of the first few shows disappeared. What jokes there were became far more sophomoric. So, I'd recommend the first few shows, but if you don't finish the first season and skip the second, you won't really miss anything.
  • Ok was it supposed to be funny because i didn't really find it funny.. Rather it was just boring and hard to watch.. I don't understand why so many people like it..
An error has occured. Please try again.