“You Will Need A Tissue At The Ending”: Netflix’s “Phenomenal” WWII Masterpiece Is Leaving Viewers In Tears With The Extraordinary True Story Of A Norwegian Resistance Hero
A forgotten chapter of World War II is leaving Netflix viewers deeply moved, with one powerful war film earning extraordinary praise for its unflinching portrayal of courage, sacrifice and the horrors of Nazi occupation. Based on the remarkable true story of a Norwegian resistance fighter, this gripping drama has been hailed as an outstanding achievement, with audiences warning that its emotional ending is likely to leave viewers reaching for the tissues.
The film in question is Number 24, a Norwegian production that has captured the attention of both critics and audiences. Even more impressively, it currently holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Extraordinary True Story Behind Netflix’s “Number 24”
Starring Sjur Vatne Brean and directed by John Andreas Andersen, Number 24 follows the extraordinary wartime journey of Gunnar Sønsteby, one of Norway’s most celebrated resistance fighters.
The story stretches from 1940 through to the end of the Second World War, revealing how Sønsteby risked his life in the fight against Nazi occupation.
The film takes its title from one of his most frequently used code names and explores the dangerous operations carried out by the Oslo Group, including sabotage missions and assassinations.
But rather than simply presenting a conventional battlefield drama, Number 24 frames the story through an older Sønsteby, who recounts his extraordinary experiences to a group of students.
That shift between past and present gives the film an added emotional weight, allowing viewers to confront not only the bravery of resistance fighters but also the difficult moral choices forced upon people living through wartime terror.
Critics Are Calling It A Gripping WWII Masterpiece
The response from critics has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise directed at the film’s uncompromising portrayal of human courage and cruelty.
One review described it as a gripping, frequently violent thriller that examines both the best and worst sides of humanity, drawing on the real-life experiences of Norwegian resistance hero Gunnar Sønsteby.
Another praised the film’s exploration of the moral grey areas created by brutal occupation, highlighting how its transitions between past and present offer a thoughtful contrast between justice and necessity.
A third reviewer noted that the director delivers a largely patriotic portrait of a man devoted entirely to duty, describing the result as an uncompromising and stirring watch, even through its deliberately narrow perspective.
For a genre already crowded with Second World War productions, Number 24 appears to have found a particularly powerful way to make its story stand out.
“The Lead Actor Is Phenomenal” – Viewers Cannot Stop Praising The Performance
The enthusiasm has not been limited to professional critics. Audiences have also been flooding the film with glowing reviews, with Sjur Vatne Brean’s performance emerging as one of its biggest talking points.
One particularly impressed viewer wrote:
“The lead actor is phenomenal. As a man of laser focus and few words, Gunnar commands the screen through the smallest, most restrained expressions and every one of them lands. It’s a masterclass in subtlety, and he delivers a gripping, believable performance.”
Others have highlighted the film’s emotional impact, its historical importance and the performances that bring this extraordinary chapter of Norwegian history to life.
One viewer offered a particularly telling warning about the ending:
“Well worth watching! Makes me want to go and learn more about this incredible person. You will need a tissue at the ending. You will also need to use your pause button to read the subtitles at the end – they do contain useful information.”
Another described it as an important and deeply moving account of Norwegian resistance during WWII, praising the way it explores how war affects individuals, families and entire countries from different perspectives.
And one enthusiastic viewer summed up their reaction with an emphatic endorsement:
“WOW! WOW! ! . Fantastic in every way My wife and I loved this. So realistic and well acted, directed,etc. Watch,enjoy and respect the Norwegian patriots.”
A WWII Story That Deserves To Be Remembered
What makes Number 24 particularly compelling is that it goes beyond the familiar spectacle of war.
At its heart is a real man whose courage helped shape Norway’s resistance movement, alongside the dangerous decisions and devastating realities that came with fighting an occupying force.
Its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, enthusiastic audience reactions and praise for Brean’s restrained performance have helped establish it as a must-watch for fans of historical dramas.
For anyone looking for a war film with genuine emotional weight and a remarkable true story at its centre, this Norwegian production deserves a place on the watchlist.
Number 24 is streaming now on Netflix.