Operation Napoleon (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Operation Napoleon is a 2023 thriller directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson, starring Iain Glen as William Carr, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Wotan Wilke Möhring. It is based on Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason and Victoria Cribb. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $476,673 worldwide. Critics gave it 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Óskar Thór Axelsson
- Genre
- Thriller
- Original language
-
Icelandic
- Studio
- Magnet Releasing
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Operation Napoleon About?
The premise of Operation Napoleon without spoilers, adapted from Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason and Victoria Cribb.
When Iceland’s glaciers begin to melt, lawyer Kristin discovers a shocking secret from World War II – the wreckage of a crashed plane. This discovery plunges her into a dangerous international conspiracy involving ruthless criminals and CIA involvement. Director William Carr tries to suppress the truth surrounding the incident, known as Operation Napoleon. Kristin’s persistent investigation uncovers a complex web of deceit and she is determined to bring the truth to light, no matter the risk.
Operation Napoleon Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- conspiracy thriller
- reference to liverpool fc
- reference to arsenal football club
- watching soccer on tv
- barefoot female
- bad girl
- shot to death
- submachine gun
- junkers ju 52
- held at gunpoint
- threatened with a shotgun
- gunshot wound
+38 more Show fewer
- bullet wound
- silenced pistol
- shot in the head
- shot in the stomach
- scoped rifle
- american abroad
- american in iceland
- conspiracy
- reference to john barnes
- glacier
- airplane wreck
- reference to adolf hitler
- reference to eva braun
- reference to blondi
- foot chase
- worried sister
- yelling at the tv
- camouflage snow suit
- snow uniform
- metallic snow suit
- silver snow suit
- winter uniform
- snow camouflage suit
- winter camouflage
- iceland
- snow mobile
- airplane wreckage
- female lawyer
- year 1945
- vatnajokull ice cap
- sheep farm
- crash landing
- cargo plane
- snowstorm
- nazi airplane
- father playing with his children
- telephone call
- reykjavik iceland
Operation Napoleon Cast & Characters
Iain Glen leads the cast as William Carr, with Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Einar Ragnarsson and Wotan Wilke Möhring as Simon. Directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Óskar Thór Axelsson
-
Iain Glen as William Carr -
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Einar Ragnarsson - Wotan Wilke Möhring as Simon
-
Jack Fox as Prof. Steve Rush
Also Starring in Operation Napoleon
· 6 more- Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson Johannes
- Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir Rósa
- Vivian Ólafsdóttir Kristín Jóhannesdóttir
- Adesuwa Oni Julie Ratoff
- Anthony Bacigalupo
- Atli Oskar Fjalarsson
More from Óskar Thór Axelsson
More films directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson, best-rated first: I Remember You and Black’s Game.
Operation Napoleon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Operation Napoleon 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in sensory experience (68) and weakest in art & craft (35).
Operation Napoleon Echo Score Breakdown
Operation Napoleon delivers an uneven cinematic experience that oscillates between competent genre conventions and notable shortcomings. Critics repeatedly cite derivative storytelling and lackluster direction, while several viewers appreciate the suspenseful premise and occasional visual appeal. The film’s pacing and narrative cohesion are inconsistent, leading to a fragmented viewing that fails to sustain engagement. Consequently, the overall impression remains mixed, reflecting modest entertainment value tempered by pervasive flaws.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
The film’s art and craft are largely perceived as substandard across reviews. Critics describe the direction as derivative and the editing as sluggish, with multiple reviewers noting bland visual execution. User feedback similarly points to poor pacing and a wooden presentation that diminishes the overall polish. These consistent criticisms result in a low assessment of the film’s technical artistry.
- Character & Emotion 40
Characterization in Operation Napoleon receives mixed but generally unfavorable remarks. Critics label the protagonists as sketchy and the dialogue as generic, while several users highlight limited chemistry and uneven acting performances. A few audience members, however, praise specific pairings and note moments of authentic connection. The predominance of negative feedback yields a modest character score.
- Story & Flow 58
The narrative exhibits a blend of engaging and problematic elements. Some reviewers commend the thriller’s premise and occasional plot twists, describing portions as suspenseful and entertaining. Conversely, many critics fault the story for being overly long, illogical, and lacking originality, a sentiment echoed by users who cite pacing fatigue. This balance of praise and criticism places the story in a moderately positive range.
- Sensory Experience 68
Sensory components, particularly visual design, are among the film’s stronger aspects. Critics acknowledge competent cinematography and a striking setting, while a user notes the appealing Icelandic backdrop. Soundtrack and sound design receive limited commentary, suggesting no major detriments. The prevailing positive observations lift the sensory experience to an above‑average rating.
- Rewatch Factor 56
Rewatch potential is portrayed as cautiously optimistic. Several viewers express enthusiasm for a sequel and anticipate revisiting the mystery, indicating lasting interest. In contrast, critics largely dismiss the film as forgettable, reducing its replay value. This division results in a moderate rewatch score that reflects both lingering curiosity and overall disappointment.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 18% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.7 /5
2721 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Operation Napoleon Box Office
Operation Napoleon grossed $476,673 worldwide. $1,618 came from the US and Canada and $475,055 (100%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$476.7K
- US & Canada
- $1.6K
- International
- $475.1K
Operation Napoleon Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Behind the Scenes Interview Iain Glen GLETSCHERGRAB Villain Wotan Wilke Möhring GAME OF THRONES
Operation Napoleon Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Operation Napoleon: Frozen Conspiracy” and “Операция «Наполеон»”.
- Also known as
-
- Operation Napoleon: Frozen Conspiracy
- Операция «Наполеон»
- Gletschergrab
- Operacja Napoleon
- Operación Napoleón
- Operace Napoleon
- Операция Наполеон
- 拿破仑行动
- Operacija Napoleon
- Operação Napoleão
- Операція «Наполеон»
- 行動代號拿破崙
+3 more Show fewer
- Operació Napoleó
- 오퍼레이션 나폴레옹
- Operácia Napoleon
Seen Operation Napoleon?
Movies Like Operation Napoleon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Operation Crossbow, Operation Dunkirk and Operation Kid Brother.
Articles About Operation Napoleon
Our article about Operation Napoleon: “The Influence of Art Movements on Film Aesthetics”.
-
History
Operation Napoleon FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Operation Napoleon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Operation Napoleon?
Operation Napoleon runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was Operation Napoleon released?
Operation Napoleon was released on August 11, 2023.
Who directed Operation Napoleon?
Operation Napoleon was directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson.
More films by Óskar Thór Axelsson Who is in the cast of Operation Napoleon?
Operation Napoleon stars Iain Glen as William Carr, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Einar Ragnarsson and Wotan Wilke Möhring as Simon, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Operation Napoleon make at the box office?
Operation Napoleon grossed $476,673 worldwide ($1,618 domestic, $475,055 international).
How is Operation Napoleon rated?
Operation Napoleon has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61% on TMDB and 2.7/5 on Letterboxd.
Is Operation Napoleon based on a book?
Yes. Operation Napoleon is adapted from Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indriðason and Victoria Cribb.
Does Operation Napoleon have a post-credit scene?
No. Operation Napoleon has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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