Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Crime thriller

The Marco Effect (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Marco Effect (2021) movie poster

The Marco Effect is a 2021 crime thriller directed by Martin Zandvliet, starring Ulrich Thomsen as Carl Mørck, Luboš Oláh and Ales Oláh. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $39,277 worldwide on a $7.4 million budget. Its Echo Score is 34/100.

worldwide gross
$39.3K
Echo Score
34
budget
$7.4M
Loading streaming availability…
The Marco Effect (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 5m (125 min)
Director
Martin Zandvliet
Genres
Thriller , Crime
Original language
Danish
Budget
$7.4M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Marco Effect About?

The premise of The Marco Effect without spoilers.

After a homeless Romani boy is detained at the Danish border with a missing public servant’s passport, police inspector Carl Mørck and the Department Q are assigned to investigate the unusual case. They must determine the connection between the boy and the missing official, uncovering a complex and potentially dangerous situation as they delve deeper into the mystery.

The Marco Effect Themes & Keywords

· 29 tags
  • police detective
  • carl morck character
  • central europe
  • racial stereotype
  • ethnic stereotype
  • gang
  • gangster
  • romani
  • gypsy
  • two word title
  • title same as book
  • literature on screen
+17 more
  • danish literature on screen
  • european literature on screen
  • crime literature on screen
  • danish crime literature on screen
  • european crime literature on screen
  • 21st century literature on screen
  • 2010s literature on screen
  • criminal
  • teenager
  • teenage boy
  • name in title
  • male name in title
  • police investigation
  • police
  • scandi noir crime
  • based on novel
  • character name in title
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Marco Effect Cast & Characters

Ulrich Thomsen leads the cast as Carl Mørck, with Luboš Oláh as Marco and Ales Oláh as Unge Marco. Directed by Martin Zandvliet; 23 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Marco Effect

· 19 more
Show all 23 cast members
From the director

More from Martin Zandvliet

More films directed by Martin Zandvliet, best-rated first: Land of Mine, Applause, The Outsider and Tove’s Room.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Marco Effect Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 34/100, strongest in sensory experience (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

34 /100

The Marco Effect Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Marco Effect struggles to capture the cohesion of its predecessors, with most reviewers citing uneven direction and a thin, sluggish narrative. The recasting is widely perceived as detrimental, leading to flat performances and diminished chemistry. While a minority appreciated the darker Nordic noir tone and Ulrich Thomsen’s presence, the prevailing view describes the film as forgettable and lacking rewatch appeal. Consequently, the movie scores low across key criteria.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, critics note a lackluster execution. The pacing feels stretched and the cinematography is described as uninspired, with limited use of atmospheric lighting. Editing does not compensate for the sluggish rhythm, and production design offers little distinction from earlier entries. Overall, the artistic components convey a flat aesthetic that fails to engage.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating performances, reviewers largely criticize the new cast. Ulrich Thomsen is seen as disengaged, while the supporting actors lack the depth and chemistry of the original team. Side‑kick Assad is described as a weak, background presence, and the female lead provides little agency. Although a few viewers found Thomsen’s subtle expression effective, the consensus points to flat, one‑dimensional characterizations.

  • Story & Flow 38

    The plot receives the most criticism, with many describing it as slow, riddled with holes and lacking a coherent arc. The investigation unfolds without clear stakes, and the climax feels abrupt and unsatisfying. A minority mentions that the narrative maintains a dark noir atmosphere, yet overall the story is perceived as thin and unengaging.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    Sensory elements such as sound and visual style are noted but not celebrated. Reviewers point out a muted soundtrack and modest sound design, while the visual tone remains dark in line with Nordic noir conventions. Some comment that filming techniques could have been more refined, and the overall sensory impact fails to elevate the material.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    Rewatch value is low, as critics describe the film as boring and lacking lasting appeal. The stretched pacing and thin plot diminish interest on subsequent viewings, and the weakened character dynamics fail to invite repeated engagement. While a single reviewer found personal enjoyment, the consensus suggests the movie does not reward multiple watches.

Box office

The Marco Effect Box Office & Budget

The Marco Effect grossed $39,277 worldwide on a $7.4 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$39.3K

International
$39.3K
Budget
$7.4M
Details

The Marco Effect Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “Les Enquêtes du Département V : Effet Marco” and “Poika varjoista”.

Also known as
  • Les Enquêtes du Département V : Effet Marco
  • Poika varjoista
  • Les Enquêtes du département V: L'effet papillon
  • Hajtóvadászat
  • Marco áhrifin
  • Marcoeffekten
  • O Efeito Marco
  • Мистериум: Эффект Марко
  • El efecto Marcus - Los casos del departamento Q
  • Відділ Q: Ефект Марко
  • Erwartung - Der Marco-Effect
  • Jussi Adler-Olsen - Erwartung: Der Marco-Effekt
+17 more
  • Erwartung
  • L'effetto farfalla
  • 悬案密码5:马可效应
  • El efecto Marcus (Los casos del Departamento Q)
  • Les Enquêtes du département V : L'Effet Papillon
  • Marco Etkisi
  • Q-ügyosztály 5 - Hajtóvadászat
  • Co ukrywa Marco?
  • 미결처리반 Q: 침묵의 암살자
  • Erwartung - Der Marco-Effekt
  • 懸案密碼:尋人啟事
  • 特捜部Q 知りすぎたマルコ
  • Departamento Q: O Efeito Marco
  • Η Συγκάλυψη
  • L’efecte Marcus: Els casos del departament Q
  • Het Marco-effect
  • Efectul Marco

Seen The Marco Effect?

FAQ

The Marco Effect FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Marco Effect?

The Marco Effect runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).

When was The Marco Effect released?

The Marco Effect was released on May 27, 2021.

Who directed The Marco Effect?

The Marco Effect was directed by Martin Zandvliet.

More films by Martin Zandvliet

Who is in the cast of The Marco Effect?

The Marco Effect stars Ulrich Thomsen as Carl Mørck, Luboš Oláh as Marco and Ales Oláh as Unge Marco, among 23 credited actors.

How much did The Marco Effect make at the box office?

The Marco Effect grossed $39,277 worldwide on a budget of $7.4 million.

Does The Marco Effect have a post-credit scene?

No. The Marco Effect has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Marco Effect in?

The original language of The Marco Effect is Danish.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app