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Action drama

Mortal (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Mortal (2020) movie poster

Mortal is a 2020 action drama directed by André Øvredal, starring Nat Wolff as Eric, Iben Akerlie and Per Frisch. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $126,068 worldwide. Critics gave it 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 20 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
55%
worldwide gross
$126.1K
Echo Score
65
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Mortal (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
André Øvredal
Genres
Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy
Original language
Norwegian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mortal About?

The premise of Mortal without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A quiet Norwegian town is thrown into turmoil with the unexpected arrival of American wanderer Eric. Strange deaths and unsettling events plague the community, fueling rumors of supernatural abilities connected to him. Psychologist Christine investigates the escalating crisis, attempting to uncover the reality behind Eric's presence and the destructive forces seemingly following him. As fear grips the town, she must confront the growing darkness to understand the truth.

Mortal Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • power
  • wilderness
  • death of a teenage boy
  • prison cell
  • dream
  • lightning
  • struck by lightning
  • helicopter
  • helicopter crash
  • norse god
  • reference to thor
  • weather phenomena
+38 more
  • gun
  • pointing a gun at someone
  • healing power
  • hospital
  • sick boy
  • norwegian
  • death of a woman
  • mjolnir
  • digging
  • inscription
  • one word title
  • film starts with text
  • no opening credits
  • written by director
  • title at the end
  • suspense
  • world cinema
  • norway
  • bilingualism
  • norse mythology
  • subtitled scene
  • thor's hammer
  • american abroad
  • hammer
  • surrealism
  • psychotronic film
  • gothic
  • dark fantasy
  • neo noir
  • slow motion scene
  • electricity
  • drifter
  • loner
  • electrocution
  • exploding body
  • power outage
  • weather manipulation
  • weather control
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Cast & crew

Mortal Cast & Characters

Nat Wolff leads the cast as Eric, with Iben Akerlie as Christine and Per Frisch as Henrik. Directed by André Øvredal; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mortal

· 9 more
From the director

More from André Øvredal

More films directed by André Øvredal, best-rated first: The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Passenger.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mortal Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mortal 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 20 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

65 /100

Mortal Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Mortal exhibits a mix of strengths and weaknesses that leave it feeling uneven. Many reviewers praised its measured direction and strong performances, particularly noting its fresh approach to a familiar superhero narrative. However, critiques frequently mentioned sluggish pacing and an underwhelming payoff, with several comments about a bland middle section and a lack of satisfying resolution. The visual design drew both commendation for its ambition and criticism for its chilly palette and overreliance on CGI. On balance, the film registers as an uneven but occasionally engaging experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, Mortal presents a visually ambitious aesthetic that occasionally falters in execution. Reviewers noted a chilly color palette and instances of overpolished CGI that detract from immersion. Conversely, several found the film’s production design and editing choices to be solid, pointing to moments of striking imagery. Ultimately, the visual ambition is evident, but inconsistencies in color grading and effects reduce its overall impact.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, Mortal offers commendable performances despite uneven depth. Several reviewers praised the lead’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s measured exploration of heroism and villainy. However, some felt emotional resonance was undermined by a lack of character development for supporting roles. In sum, strong lead performances elevate the film, though broader depth remains limited.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, Mortal unfolds with a premise that intrigues but often stalls. Critics and viewers alike cited sluggish pacing and repetitive set pieces that hinder plot momentum, while the concluding act drew praise for its heightened energy. The film’s reliance on emotional triggers to advance the narrative received mixed reactions, with some finding it underdeveloped. Overall, the story remains uneven, balancing moments of engagement with lulls.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, Mortal combines an evocative score with uneven execution in sound and visuals. Some enthusiasts appreciated moments of striking sound design and a dynamic soundtrack, while others criticized the chilly color grading and overused CGI elements. The film’s auditory and visual ambitions are clear, yet inconsistent implementation limits its overall sensory cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Mortal offers sporadic moments of excitement but uneven rewards on repeat viewings. Some viewers expressed interest in a sequel and noted they would revisit the film for its premise and performances. Conversely, several felt that repetitive sequences and a lack of narrative resolution diminish replay value. Ultimately, the film generates intermittent appeal but falls short of strong lasting engagement.

Plot

Mortal Plot Summary

What happens in Mortal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the dense forests of Vestland, the quiet life of Eric Bergland is marked by distance from civilization and a mounting, unsettling tension. Nat Wolff portrays Eric, a young Norwegian-American whose isolation hides a volatile secret. When a confrontation with a group of teenagers in a field ends in tragedy—one youth dies after grabbing him despite Eric’s warnings—the story pivots on how quickly fear, anger, and the unknown can collide.

Full summary

The whole story of Mortal, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Mortal Box Office

Mortal grossed $126,068 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$126.1K

International
$126.1K
Videos

Mortal Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 4 trailers and 3 clips.

All 7 videos
Official US Trailer
  • Trailer UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer #1
  • Clip MORTAL Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mortal?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the young psychologist who interrogates Eric?

Cars

Cars in Mortal

24 cars on screen, including the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle Typ 9C and the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Stasjonsvogn B6 Typ 3C.

All 24 cars
  • 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle Typ 9C in Mortal 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle Typ 9C Main role
  • 2010 Volkswagen Passat Stasjonsvogn B6 Typ 3C in Mortal 2010 Volkswagen Passat Stasjonsvogn B6 Typ 3C Important role
  • 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV in Mortal 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV Minor role
  • 1998 Mercedes-Benz C 180 W202 in Mortal 1998 Mercedes-Benz C 180 W202 Minor role
Details

Mortal Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Смертний” and “Бог грома”.

Also known as
  • Смертний
  • Бог грома
  • 超能追缉
  • 모탈: 레전드 오브 토르
  • 超能追緝, მოკვდავი
  • Бог Грому
  • Torden
  • Hậu Duệ Thần Sấm
  • Ölümlü
  • Griaustinio Dievas
  • ปริศนาพลังเหนือมนุษย์
  • בן תמותה
+4 more
  • Mortal - Halandó ember
  • Mortal - Mut ist unsterblich
  • MORTAL モータル
  • Богът на гръмотевиците

Seen Mortal?

FAQ

Mortal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Mortal, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mortal?

Mortal runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Mortal released?

Mortal was released on November 6, 2020.

Who directed Mortal?

Mortal was directed by André Øvredal.

More films by André Øvredal

Who is in the cast of Mortal?

Mortal stars Nat Wolff as Eric, Iben Akerlie as Christine and Per Frisch as Henrik, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Mortal make at the box office?

Mortal grossed $126,068 worldwide.

How is Mortal rated?

Mortal has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 20 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Does Mortal have a post-credit scene?

No. Mortal has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Mortal in?

The original language of Mortal is Norwegian.

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