Movie Review: 'Powder Keg' Starring Nicolaj Coster-Waldau

Powder Keg stars Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Koster Waldau as Rico, a member of the SWAT team in Denmark’s capital city. Rico is getting older and has accumulated injuries and surgeries that have him under the microscope at work. He’s being pushed to retire or accept a desk job, neither of which he’s entirely willing to do. Instead, despite the immense pain he’s in, he still outworks everyone in the gym to try and prove he can still work.

Rico’s is one of several stories that are part of an overarching narrative in Powder Keg, a Danish drama that deals with the fallout for Europe regarding the terrorist assault on the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo in January of 2015. Fears across Europe of promised future attacks have many on edge and many debating how other European countries should react to the attacks, what legislation should be enacted ,and what is the best way to protect people from extremists.

Other stories in Powder Keg follow a film director named Finn who, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, becomes more intolerant, especially of Muslims. While stressing over his latest movie and repeated new deadlines for completing his film, Finn drifts more and more toward extreme views regarding security. More and more he begins listening to voices who are critical of Muslims and the Muslim community, culminating in him attending a meeting in February of 2015. More on that later.

Dan Uzan (Adam Buschard) is a nice guy struggling to find a job in a tight economy. Despite it all, Dan keeps a positive attitude and continues to volunteer at his local synagogue where he acts as the head of security. Throughout Powder Keg the glimpses we get of Dan’s life are filled with pathos. Adam Buschard gives Dan an air of warmth and an every-man sense of self that is incredibly relatable. Your heart rises and falls with the various poignant moments of Dan striving to do better for his family.

The final story track in Powder Keg is that of Omar (Albert Arthur Amiryan). Omar has just been released from prison and has become deeply radicalized. He’s come out of prison with few prospects and living with his mother but his single minded focus appears to be connecting with the terrorists who’d carried out the Charlie Hebdo attack. Omar has a chip on his shoulder, he’s angry and eager to do something that will strike a blow against those he feels are the enemies of his religion.

In case you can’t tell, these stories are going to intersect eventually and if you aren’t aware of the 2015 Copenhagen Shooting, that’s where this is all headed. Over a period of 24 hours, Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein attacked the Danish Heritage Center in Denmark where he shot and killed Finn Norgard who had been at the Heritage Center for a speech by artist Lars Vilks who was the target of the shooting. Vilks was in hiding for a time over a drawing he’d made of the Prophet Muhammad.

Late that night into the early morning hours of February 15th, Omar attacked a Jewish Synagogue where he murdered Dan Uzan who was working security. Uzan would hold on long enough for members of Denmark’s Intelligence Service to arrive but the suspect managed to shoot two of those officers, who thankfully survived, and Omar somehow escaped unharmed. Thankfully, Omar was prevented from entering the Synagogue which was hosting a gathering that was Omar’s target.

Omar fled but CCTV footage kept track of him as he arrived at an apartment building that had been under surveillance in case he’d shown up there. Two officers of the Danish SWAT team confronted, shot and killed Omar outside the building. It took nearly 30 shots before Omar was finally taken down. Later in the week, four other Muslim immigrants in Denmark were arrested for aiding Omar in his terrorist attack.

Powder Keg plays all of this out in a fashion that reminded me of the 2005 American Academy Award winner Crash. The film is filled with potent conversations about terrorism, free speech and racism. Unlike Crash however, Powder Keg isn’t a terrible movie. The conversations in Powder Keg aren’t forced or heavy handed. Powder Keg isn’t overly sentimental and never settles for straw-man arguments about race or bigotry. Powder Keg is reminiscent of the structure of Crash but improves on that film in just about every way imaginable.

Director Ole Christian Madsen captures the multi-track stories of Powder Keg in a naturalistic fashion that feels organic. The characters in Powder Keg are given room to develop and gain dimension. Finn for instance, might be becoming more strident in his stance regarding Muslims and terror but the movie is not afraid of making him defend himself. Finn’s notions of freedom and his growing prejudices get a full airing and questioning during a terrific scene set at a party.

Dan Uzan especially is given life and authenticity. The character is never drawn into any of the conversations about race or freedom, he’s simply shown as a kind every-man type who just needs a break. He’s the human face of the tragedy, his fate is heartbreaking because we are allowed time to get to know him and care about him. His final moment is devastating and Director Madsen pulls no punches in this moment of terror.

One of the smartest decisions Madsen makes in directing Powder Keg is the casting of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. The Game of Thrones star is a steady and welcome presence throughout Powder Keg. The performance has the right mix of star power and presence, Waldau doesn’t pull focus from the story but gives it a recognizable energy and life. His story is well told and when the ending arrives, he’s the right character and actor to have in that moment.

Powder Keg will be in limited release and available for On-Demand rental on September 3rd, 2021.