REVIEW: ‘Twilight Of The Gods’ Is Gloriously Bloody, Sexy, And Epic

Twilight of the Gods, Zack Snyder’s latest animated limited series on Netflix, delivers a gritty reimagining of Norse mythology. The eight-episode action-adventure fantasy series was co-created by Snyder and Jay Oliva, who also served as co-directors alongside Eric Carrasco, Andrew Tamandl, Tim Dicar, and David Hartman.

The show’s main voice cast features Sylvia Hoeks as Sigrid, Stuart Martin as King Leif, Rahul Kohli as Egil, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Hervor, Jamie Clayton as Seid-Kona, Kristofer Hivju as Andvari, Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Thyra, Peter Stormare as Ulfr, Paterson Joseph as Loki, Pilou Asbæk as Thor Odinson, and John Noble as Odin.

Twilight of the Gods occurs in a mythical Norse world of great battles, heroic deeds, and disheartening loss. A mortal king, Leif, and an iron-willed warrior named Sigrid fall in love on the battlefield after she saves his life. Just as the couple make plans for their joyous wedding, doom approaches in the form of Thor Odinson. On their wedding night, the couple narrowly escapes Thor’s devastating attack, which sets Sigrid, Leif, and their comrades on a hellbent mission for vengeance.

Twilight of the Gods’ storytelling and pacing are done masterfully, with each episode captivating audiences with revelations and developments as the series progresses. Snyder and his team also intentionally adapt certain aspects of Norse mythology for the series to feel authentic. From character designs and rituals to the dialogue and interwoven mythological plots, every element adds layers to the story while respecting the source material. This deep respect for original Norse myths elevates the series’ entertainment value.

Twilight of the Gods does not shy away from the darker elements of Norse mythology, presenting gods and mortal characters alike as brutal, complex beings. This shows itself particularly when it comes to Thor’s portrayal. For example, this version of Thor is not some gentle jovial giant. No, this version of Thor stays true to his mythological origins.

He has a quick temper, is bloodthirsty, and tends to go on violent rampages, adding authenticity to his character and the story. The series has plenty of examples of Thor holding little regard for others and not holding back his rage from anyone, with his fights being some of the most graphic throughout the season. The brutality of these characters, like Thor’s, adds intensity to the series.

Twilight of the Gods’ brutal yet beautiful world is brought to life in a mesmerizing 2D art style. Audiences will immerse themselves in the visually striking world the animators bring to life through a vast array of colors, which add depth to the backgrounds and the characters. Whether it is the vibrant greenery of the forests, the cold, icy greys and blues of the northern lands, or how the light of the fire bounces off a character’s skin, audiences will immerse themselves in the visually striking world the animators bring to life.

Each scene feels like a work of art. The series’ unique art style also captures the characters’ fluid movements. This dynamic animation style helps deliver a visually engaging experience, especially when conveying ferocity and rage on the battlefield.

The characters in Twilight of the Gods are remarkably well-developed from beginning to end. Despite its limited episode count, Twilight of the Gods gives most of the main cast their own arcs that become more interwoven as the story progresses. Some of the most notable and interesting character arcs feature Egil, the Seid-Kona, and Loki. However, the most impressive character arc by far is Sigrid’s, especially concerning her relationship dynamic with Leif.

The central protagonist, Sigrid, stands out as a grieving shield maiden whose relentless quest for revenge against the hammer-wielding god, Thor, drives the main plot. While the show initially frames her as a supporting character to Leif, this expectation is quickly subverted as Sigrid takes more of the center stage, Leif becoming the supporting figure in her journey.

Unlike the damsel in distress trope, their dynamic as lovers and warriors is refreshing, built on mutual respect and admiration. Sigrid is a capable warrior, asking Leif to fight alongside her rather than for her. In contrast, Leif respects her abilities and never belittles her because she is a woman; instead, he stands by her side as an equal, even if that means having to kill one of the mightiest Norse gods in the process.

However, Sigrid’s obsession with revenge creates tension in her relationship with Leif. As her judgment becomes clouded by her desire for vengeance, she takes risks and deals with questionable beings that endanger herself and her comrades. This conflict affects their relationship throughout the series, highlighting the strain Sigrid’s thirst for revenge places on their love.

Meanwhile, Leif, though deeply in love with Sigrid, tries to urge her to process her grief properly and wants to support the woman he loves. Thus highlighting the emotional depth as he struggles within himself and simultaneously grows increasingly concerned about how far Sigrid is willing to go for the sake of revenge.

Twilight of the Gods is packed with intense graphic scenes ranging from moments of brutal violence to explicit sex scenes. For viewers sensitive to explicit content, it’s worth noting that both the violence and sex scenes are in a visceral yet tasteful manner. Although the action and battle scenes are brutally intense, not every fight ends with someone drenched in blood. However, some scenes will leave the audience’s jaws dropping from how intense things can get.  Meanwhile, the sex scenes focus more on the characters’ intimacy, emphasizing their connection rather than objectifying them for shock values.

At its core, Twilight of the Gods is a gloriously complex story of grief, revenge, love, and fate. Snyder and Oliva’s gripping reimagining of Norse mythology captivates with its vivid portrayal of epic battles, storytelling, and dynamic characters. The series does not shy away from the darker, gory elements of Norse mythology. The art style, intricate storytelling, and attention to detail honor the legendary source material while delivering a new, unique, compelling story.

Twilight of the Gods streams exclusively on Netflix on September 19.