MovieChat Forums > Valhalla Rising (2010) Discussion > SO OBVIOUS

SO OBVIOUS

posted 8 years ago by gasperinp
12 replies | jump to latest

Please, gents.
I can't believe none of you have figured out this movie.
There is only one real question:
Who is One Eye?
The answer is breathtakingly simple.
Note:
He is missing his LEFT eye.
He is mute.
He is an unconquerable warrior.
He has visions of the future.

ODIN. That's who it is.

Odin comes down from Asgard to see how his people are faring with the rise of Christianity, and is disgusted with what he beholds. He fights, testing any who might be worthy to reach Valhalla, but finds none - especially among those who watch the gladiatorial combats.
The Boy is the Future. The future of his people lies in North America - and the greatest majority of european immigrants to North America were from Germany and Scandinavia.
That is why the crusaders wind up there. They are also unworthy. The boy, though, endures.

In summary: The film is an allegory of the end of the Viking Age, the rise of Christianity and the discovery of the New World.

[–] estocade 8 years ago

Great summary. I agree completely. When that guy mentions hell, the one eye disembowels him like some lamb, as hell is a christian mythology. Of course the boy is being ignored, since he is innocent.

[–] mdesteptu 8 years ago

Yes, indeed!
He starts as Odin, but Odin undergoes a continuous transformation throughout the movie. The initial cruel and barbaric "Odin" ends up self-sacrificing himself like Jesus (they arrived in the mystical "Holy Land", after all, even if that "Holy Land" is America, but that's another interpretation)

The whole movie is a metaphor about Christianity taking over old Norse beliefs.

[–] carpathianwolff 8 years ago

Of course your comparison has some accuracy... but unless Refn states that 'One Eye' is supposed to be Odin... then it's just mere speculation.

Refn obviously took several (subtle) traits of characters/stories from Norse Mythology... but saying 'One Eye' is anything more than a character who was inspired by Odin is pure speculation... he did nothing miraculous other than survive a few situations which an ordinary man probably wouldn't have... but then he is clubbed to death at the end by the Native Americans.

He appears to be completely irreligious as well... having no gods, no loyalty to religion... he is a character of circumstance.

[–] tapio_hietamaki 8 years ago

Speculation? It's called an "interpretation", ever heard of that?

What Refn says shouldn't matter, the film stands on its own, and OP had one valid interpretation. There may be others.

[–] Dali-Fan 8 years ago

Pretty much in agreement with your entire post but this bit:

the greatest majority of european immigrants to North America were from Germany and Scandinavia.

You might want to rethink that.

[–] gasperinp 8 years ago

It's true, though.
The largest single european immigrant group to the USA was Germany. 3rd was Scandinavia (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway.)
Sure, there were plenty of irish, italian and polish, but the 'teutons' remain the largest group.

[–] Dali-Fan 7 years ago

Gasperinp, thanks for this, but you initially said North America then made a claim about the United States. I don't doubt you but are you sure Germans are the largest group of European migrants to NA? I tried a quick search but unfortunately when one types North America in a search line the majority of the links pop up as America, as in the US of . . .

I might give it another try tomorrow. Cheers.

[–] gasperinp 7 years ago

Yup. Apparently the largest European immigrant group to the USA was German. The third largest was Scandinavian as a group (Danes, Swedes, Finns, Norwegians.) I forget who #2 was - I would bet the Irish. I think the Italians/Sicilians were 4th or 5th.

[–] rami-gilneas 8 years ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States

15,2% of all americans say that they have german ancestors, which makes them the biggest group followed by irish with 10,8%.

[–] hankseptember 8 years ago

Having seen the movie a couple times over the last few years I came here to read for anything enlightening. Gasparinp delivered. Well done.

[–] I_Created_U 7 years ago

Sincerely, thank you guys! You made me appreciate this movie even more. After having watched it, i gave it a 6 because of the breathtaking visuals and impressive yet simple cinematography. I found the story itself to be visceral, yet i felt most of its substance was passing over my head. Couldn't put my fingers exactly on what this allegory means until i read some interpretations here and yours in particular. That's a nice job because i think you're spot-on.

ODIN. That's who it is. (How i missed that, i have no idea)

The Boy is the Future. The future of his people lies in North America - and the greatest majority of european immigrants to North America were from Germany and Scandinavia.

In summary: The film is an allegory of the end of the Viking Age, the rise of Christianity and the discovery of the New World.

^Those parts blew my mind like a revelation.

I also like mdesteptu's take:

He starts as Odin, but Odin undergoes a continuous transformation throughout the movie. The initial cruel and barbaric "Odin" ends up self-sacrificing himself like Jesus. [...] The whole movie is a metaphor about Christianity taking over old Norse beliefs.

Again, thank you guys, you're bang on the money. Now thanks to you Valhalla Rising gets a 7/10.

PS: How magnificent is Mads in pretty much everything?? He IS a God.

People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs

[–] pdlussier1 7 years ago

Nice post. Great interpretation. Good job!

Wouldn't say it's "so obvious" and "breathtakingly simple" though, albeit that answer may have appeared to you in a snap.
Also, as was pointed out: "...the greatest majority of european immigrants to North America were from Germany and Scandinavia." Although not false, it's far from accurate.

Cheers!

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet, then, it's annoying.