What Is The Last King About?
The premise of The Last King in 316 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Amid the dawning turbulence of medieval Norway, the kingdom fractures into competing powers. In Nidaros, the Birkebeiners hold the throne, but the Bagler challenge their authority from the east, with neighboring Denmark casting its shadow over the conflict. The struggle is not confined to the battlefield; it is a contest over the legitimacy of the crown. At its center stands Haakon, a young heir whose future carries the possibility of peace, making his protection both a dangerous mission and a hopeful alternative to civil war.
At the heart of that mission are Torstein and Skervald, two Birkebeiner agents whose alliance joins the calculated experience of a seasoned nobleman with the ferocity of a Viking chieftain. Their contrasting temperaments create an uneasy but compelling partnership: caution collides with instinct, discipline with aggression, and personal pride with the demands of duty. Neither strength is complete on its own, and the fate of the heir depends on what they are willing to sacrifice for one another.
Beyond the immediate threat of rival warriors, the royal court in Nidaros is a web of competing loyalties and concealed intentions. The reigning King Haakon, Margaret, her daughter Kristin, and the ambitious noble Gisle exist within a world where family, politics, and the future of Norway cannot be separated. Every relationship casts doubt over who can truly be trusted, and every choice made around the throne carries consequences far beyond personal ambition.
The emotional focus rests with Inga and her infant son, whose bond gives the quest its urgency and human stakes. For Torstein and Skervald, protecting him means carrying hope through a brutal landscape shaped by rebellion and uncertainty. The film presents a grim, turbulent medieval world, yet also emphasizes the fragile possibility of unity. Its tone is stark and suspenseful, driven by martial danger, moral ambiguity, and the question of whether loyalty can survive when the kingdom itself is coming apart.
What Happens in The Last King?
The complete story of The Last King, from the first scene to the last, in 347 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
In Norway 1204, Birkebeiners and king Haakon Sverresson possess the throne in Nidaros. They are threatened by Baglers, a rebel faction who have taken power in Eastern Norway, with help from Denmark.
In Nidaros, after having sex, Gisle (Pal Sverre Valheim Hagan), a corrupt aristocrat and Bagler supporter, conspires with the former queen Margaret (Lia Boysen) to have king Haakon (Benjamin Helstad) murdered, promising to return her to power as queen. Margaret’s daughter Kristin overhears this and confronts her, but her mother claims that exposing the plot would mean certain death for them, scaring Kristin into secrecy.
Margaret poisons Haakon and departs Norway for her native Sweden. Before he dies, however, Haakon reveals he has a son with a woman named Inga, and has sent Torstein (Kristofer Hivju) and Skervald (Jakob Oftebro), two Birkebeiner agents, to find him. Gisle later frames his brother Inge and plans to marry Kristin.
After initially securing Inga and her son Haakon, Skervald returns home, only to be seized by Baglers led by the knight Orm (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), having been led there by a Birkebeiner traitor. After Skervald reluctantly reveals Haakon’s location, Orm murder his wife and infant child, though he narrowly escapes.
Skervald arrives at the Birkebeiner camp to warn them of the impending attack. After he reveals that he told the Baglers their location, however, the fort leader plans to execute Skervald. Distracted by this, the Birkebeiner guards are ambushed and overwhelmed by the Baglers, though this allows Skervald to break free with Torstein, Inga and Haakon.
After numerous attacks by Baglers, Torstein and Skervald arrive at a village and rally the locals for a final fight. In the battle, Skervald protects Inga and Haakon, while managing to kill Orm, though he is fatally wounded in the process.
On the day of Gisle’s planned wedding to Kristin, Torstein and the other Birkebeiners enter Nidaros and free Inge.
Gisle is subsequently seized and taken away, presumably to be executed. Haakon is officially secured as the next king, and a text explains that “during his reign, there was peace in Norway”.
The Last King Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Norway in Civil Strife” to “A New King for Norway”. 11 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Norway in Civil Strife
In Norway in 1204, the Birkebeiners and King Haakon Sverresson possess the throne in Nidaros. Their rule is threatened by the Baglers, a rebel faction that has seized power in Eastern Norway with help from Denmark.
When:1204 Where:Nidaros, Norway
- 2
A Treacherous Plot Is Formed
Gisle, a corrupt aristocrat and Bagler supporter, conspires with the former queen Margaret to have King Haakon murdered. In return for her cooperation, he promises to return her to power as queen.
Where:Nidaros
- 3
Kristin Overhears the Conspiracy
Margaret's daughter Kristin overhears the murder plot and confronts her mother about it. Margaret claims that exposing the scheme would mean certain death for the both of them, scaring Kristin into secrecy.
Where:Nidaros
- 4
The King Is Poisoned
Margaret poisons King Haakon and departs Norway for her native Sweden. Before he dies, Haakon reveals he has a son with a woman named Inga, whom he has sent the two Birkebeiner agents, Torstein and Skervald, to find.
Where:Nidaros
- 5
Gisle Consolidates His Power
Gisle frames his own brother Inge, taking him out of the picture politically. He also arranges to marry Kristin, further cementing his position among Norway's elite.
- 6
Inga and Her Son Are Secured
Skervald successfully secures Inga and her infant son, the young heir Haakon. After ensuring their safety, he returns home, unaware that enemies are closing in on him.
- 7
Skervald Is Captured by the Baglers
Skervald is seized by Baglers led by the knight Orm, who were guided to him by a Birkebeiner traitor. Under pressure, Skervald reluctantly reveals the location of Inga and young Haakon.
Where:Skervald's home
- 8
Slaughter at Skervald's Home
After learning the child's whereabouts, Orm murders Skervald's wife and infant child in cold blood. Skervald himself narrowly manages to escape with his life.
Where:Skervald's home
- 9
A Warning at the Birkebeiner Camp
Skervald arrives at the Birkebeiner camp to warn them of the impending Bagler attack. However, when he admits that he told the Baglers their location, the fort leader decides to execute him for his betrayal.
Where:The Birkebeiner camp
- 10
The Camp Falls in an Ambush
With the Birkebeiners distracted by Skervald's planned execution, the Baglers ambush and overwhelm the camp's guards. In the chaos, Skervald breaks free together with Torstein, Inga, and young Haakon.
Where:The Birkebeiner camp
Show the other 5 events of The Last King Hide the last 5 events
- 11
A Desperate Flight
The small band endures numerous attacks by Baglers as they flee across the country. Torstein and Skervald finally arrive at a village and rally the locals to join them for a final fight.
- 12
The Final Battle
In the fierce battle against the Baglers, Skervald dedicates himself to protecting Inga and Haakon. He manages to kill Orm, avenging his murdered family, though he is fatally wounded in the process.
Where:The village
- 13
Rescue in Nidaros
On the very day of Gisle's planned wedding to Kristin, Torstein and the other Birkebeiners enter Nidaros. They storm the city and free Inge, ruining Gisle's celebration and striking back at the Baglers.
When:On the day of Gisle's planned wedding Where:Nidaros
- 14
Gisle Faces Justice
Gisle is seized by the Birkebeiners and taken away, presumably to be executed. His scheming against the king and his final downfall bring the conspirators' tyranny to an end.
Where:Nidaros
- 15
A New King for Norway
The young heir Haakon is officially secured as the next king of Norway, fulfilling the mission the Birkebeiners risked and lost their lives for. A closing text explains that during his reign, there was peace in Norway.
Who Are the Main Characters in The Last King?
5 characters, among them Gisle (Pal Sverre Valheim Hagan), King Haakon (Benjamin Helstad) and Margaret (Lia Boysen): who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- G(
Gisle (Pal Sverre Valheim Hagan)
Gisle is a corrupt aristocrat with a ruthless ambition for power. His willingness to conspire against King Haakon portrays him as a manipulative and cunning figure, reflecting the darker sides of ambition. He is ultimately driven by self-interest, demonstrating how greed can lead to one's downfall.
- 😈 Villain
- 💔 Betrayal
- KH
King Haakon (Benjamin Helstad)
King Haakon is depicted as a noble yet vulnerable leader, fighting to protect his legacy and lineage in a treacherous political landscape. His role as a father and king adds depth to his character, as he struggles against conspiracies to secure peace in Norway. Ultimately, his tragic fate underscores the perilous nature of leadership.
- 👑 Monarch
- ⚔️ Leadership
- M(
Margaret (Lia Boysen)
Margaret is a former queen whose ambition drives her to betray the very kingdom she once ruled. Her actions reveal the desperate lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim power. As a mother, her decisions are steeped in complexity, illustrating how personal motives can intertwine with political ambitions.
- 👩👧 Motherhood
- 💔 Ambition
- S(
Skervald (Jakob Oftebro)
Skervald serves as a loyal Birkebeiner agent who finds himself torn between duty and survival. His character embodies bravery and sacrifice, as he navigates the dangerous political landscape. In protecting Haakon and his mother, Skervald showcases the theme of loyalty amidst chaos.
- 🛡️ Protector
- 🚀 Sacrifice
- I
Inga
Inga is a pivotal character representing maternal instinct and the fight for survival. As the mother of King Haakon's son, her actions are crucial for the future of Norway. Her resilience and bravery contribute significantly to the efforts of the protagonists against the Baglers.
- 👩👦 Mother
- 💪 Strength
Where and When Is The Last King Set?
The Last King is set in Nidaros, Eastern Norway and Sweden (1204). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1204
The year 1204 falls within the High Middle Ages, a period marked by feudalism and conflicts among noble factions in Norway. During this time, the dynamics of power were heavily influenced by shifting alliances and betrayals, not only among local factions but also involving foreign powers like Denmark.
Where
Nidaros, Eastern Norway, Sweden
Nidaros, known today as Trondheim, was a significant medieval city and the capital of Norway during the reign of King Haakon. It served as a center of political power and culture, where nobility and common folk alike interacted. Eastern Norway is characterized by its rugged landscapes and historical conflicts that shaped the nation’s identity.
- 🏰 Kingdom
- 🌄 Landscape
What Are the Themes of The Last King?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Betrayal, Royalty and Legacy.
-
01
Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme in 'The Last King,' where personal ambitions lead to deadly conspiracies. Characters like Gisle and Margaret demonstrate how the thirst for power can corrupt even those in privileged positions. The consequences of betrayal ripple through the narrative, impacting the lives of many.
-
02
Royalty
The theme of royalty explores the responsibilities and burdens carried by those in power. King Haakon's struggle to secure his lineage and maintain peace amidst treachery underscores the complexities faced by leaders. The fight for the throne highlights the precarious nature of succession during turbulent times.
-
03
Legacy
Legacy plays a crucial role as the actions of characters determine the future of Norway. King Haakon's lineage, as well as the loyalty of his supporters, shapes the direction of the kingdom. The desire to leave a lasting impact drives characters to make significant sacrifices.
What Kind of Film Is The Last King?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A grim, fast-moving historical epic where betrayal, brutal warfare and personal loss test loyalty, before a hard-earned victory restores peace and national hope.
- tense
- grim
- brutal
- heroic
- grieving
- patriotic
- civil war
- royal succession
- loyalty
- betrayal
Content notes: war violence, murder, infanticide, poisoning, child endangerment, political assassination.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Last King? Test yourself on the story.
