Movies like Saving Private Ryan and All Quiet on the Western Front are often hailed as some of the best war films to exist, and now, viewers say an ‘unexpected gem’ is giving fierce competition to them.
Audiences are calling the underrated gem ‘one of the best war movies ever’ and fans can’t stop raving about the action drama.
Streaming on Netflix, Number 24, also known as Nr 24, is a Norwegian biographical war drama based on the true story and life of resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby during World War II. Gunnar was Norway’s most highly decorated citizen, and was also the only person to have been awarded the War Cross with three swords — Norway’s highest military honour.
Directed by John Andreas Andersen, Number 24 was written as an original spec script by first-time writer Espen von Ibenfeldt, and has a screenplay penned by Erlend Loe.
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The ‘underrated gem’ is available to stream on Netflix(Image: Courtesy of Netflix)
The title of the film is a tribute to Gunnar, and is the same as the most well-known code name used for the war veteran, who was known as ‘Agent No 24’ or ‘Kjakan’ (The Chin) during the Norwegian resistance movement of World War II.
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The movie’s official plot states: “Young apprentice Gunnar Sønsteby from Rjukan decides to resist Nazi-Germany on the day of the invasion to later become the leader of the “Oslo-gang” carrying out countless daring acts of sabotage making him Norway’s greatest war hero.”
Number 24 first premiered in Norway in October 2024 and was subsequently available to stream on Netflix from 2025, where it quickly became the most-streamed movie in Norway during its initial opening weeks after release.
The epic war drama stars Sjur Vatne Brean and Erik Hivju in the lead as Gunnar Sønsteby, with Sjur playing the decorated war veteran in his youth and Erik taking on the reins of his older years. The two are joined by Philip Helgar, Magnus Dugdale, Jakob Maanum Trulsen, Jacob Jensen, Flo Fagerli and Ines Høysæter Asserson to round out a stellar supporting cast.
With a smashing 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Number 24 has drawn praise from all quarters.
One critic said of the film: “Based on the real-life story of Norwegian hero Gunnar Sønsteby, director John Andreas Andersen delivers a gripping, often violent thriller that highlights the best and worst of humankind.”
The war epic is based on a true story from World War II(Image: Courtesy of Netflix)
While another reviewer lauded the war drama: “This biopic about Gunnar Sønsteby, the most highly decorated citizen in Norway, explores the moral grey areas during war under brutal invading forces. Switching between the past and the present, the film sensitively contrasts justice and necessity.”
One critic simply described the film as “tense in the best way”.
Audiences have been left equally captivated, with one viewer writing on IMDB: “Fantastic movie. As an ex serviceman and history buff I found this to be one of the best films concerning WW2 I have ever seen.
“Without the gore and action of Saving Private Ryan, it is more cerebral on the effects and the sadness that war brings and how people can behave in certain situations that they find themselves in.”
Another fan of the war epic said: “One of the best movies I have ever seen. Outstanding storytelling. Truly amazing until the very end. Unbelievably timely.”
While one viewer commented: “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.”
One audience member lavished high praise on the film: “This will go down as one of my all-time favourite war films, in a league with All Quiet on the Western Front. The structure of the storytelling is brilliant, as is every aspect of this film. It’s heartbreaking and profoundly chilling”
While another viewer commented on IMDB: “One of THE BEST movies about WW2 I’ve watched. This was one of the best movies I have watched in a long while. A very touching story of a resistance fighter during WW2 that was both exciting, thrilling and left me very moved with the ending that I actually shed a tear. Not many movies will do that but this one did and I am very glad I had the opportunity to watch it. A must see.”
One fan simply said: “This was an unexpected gem of a movie.”
