A stubborn soldier has a plan that will give him a title, money, and respect. However, not far away lives a rich and dangerous landowner who won’t allow the former soldier to succeed.
“Bastarden aka The Promised Land” is based on a true story, with one of my favorite and one of the best actors in the world, Mads Mikkelsen, in the lead role. He is brilliant in almost everything. He will be remembered as one of the greatest if you know what quality acting is. And since you are here, you know what that is, right?
The movie doesn’t offer any surprises, but it’s still one of the best movies released in 2023. The character played by Mads Mikkelsen is a man of honor, while his nemesis is not. His nemesis is an evil and unstable manchild, and manchilds can be dangerous if they have money that buys them power. But the protagonist is sort of protected by the king, as he serves the king and is trying to build a colony and attract settlers to the land he has plans for. However, his nemesis wants him gone because he says he’s the landowner. Drama!
The nemesis is like a sadistic serial killer, and we experience a scene that I believe will haunt me for many years when he orders his men to pour hot water on a man who managed to escape, but then later caught. It’s a brutal scene, even though we don’t see much. However, if you have a working brain and some imagination in that thing we call a brain, you will be horrified when they pour hot water into the cage where the poor man is trapped.
The plot moves on rails, and what you expect will happen, happens. I knew how the arch of the protagonist would end; it’s easy to figure out since he’s so focused on wealth and a title. He’s not a bad person at all, but his past haunts him, and he can’t let go of it.
His nemesis taunts him and makes his life more difficult. But what is his plan for this land? What will attract settlers to come and help him achieve his goal? Well, I am not going to tell you. Are you that stupid? Stupid idiot!
This is a well-acted movie with a stoic Mads Mikkelsen and an entertaining villain who’s a baby you will hate since he provokes the protagonist the whole runtime. He’s not a bright man since he is insane, which makes it more entertaining. Will he completely lose it, is the big question.