27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix streaming 'incredible' war hero film based on true events with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score
Netflix is now streaming a war hero film, inspired by true events during WWII, which has been described as a "deeply touching cinematic gem".
Netflix is now streaming Number 24, which tells the story of Gunnar Sønsteby, Norway's most celebrated war hero. The Norwegian war film currently has an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many applauding it for its powerful storytelling, historical significance and emotional depth.
The movie recounts the life of Sønsteby, who joined the resistance movement on the very day that Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940. In the 2024 film, 24-year-old Norwegian actor Sjur Vatne Brean takes on the leading role of Sønsteby, who is portrayed not a mythologised war figure but as a deeply human character navigating impossible choices in a country under siege.
Instead of glorifying violence or treating history as a spectacle, Number 24 carefully creates a lesser-known chapter of World War II, emphasising the personal consequences of resistance and the quiet bravery of those who refused to accept occupation. The movie, which is available to stream on Netflix, explores the psychological toll of conflict, portraying the huge burden a young Sønsteby carried as he faced impossible decisions and personal sacrifices in the fight against Nazi occupation at just 25-years-old.
Directed by John Andreas Andersen, the powerful film, which runs for 1 hour 52 minutes, follows Sønsteby's transformation from your everyday university student into the key leader of the Oslo Gang, which was one of the most effective sabotage units in the Norwegian resistance, the Express reports.
Referred to by his codename Agent No.24, Sønsteby became Norway's most significant war hero and remains the only individual ever to be awarded the War Cross with three swords, the country's highest military distinction.
Number 24 is shot in a documentary-like style with Andersen seamlessly transitioning between present-day Norway and the turmoil of the 1940s.
The Netflix description of the film reads: "A young Norwegian risks his life to fight the Nazi occupation, becoming the nation's most decorated war hero.
"This is the story of Gunnar Sønsteby."
Film fanatics have now had their say about the on-screen adaptation of the war hero's life.
One person said: "First movie of 2025. this was SO GOOD.
"They literally killed it with including exit music (for a film). IT WAS PERFECT."
Another impressed fan left a highly positive review on Rotten Tomatoes which read: "This is probably the most enjoyable films I've seen all year. Both actors playing the younger and older version of Gunnar did an incredible job."
A third enthusiastic viewer chimed in: "Number 24 is more than just a film—it's an experience.
"It will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, leaving you inspired and deeply touched.
"Whether you're a fan of sports dramas or simply someone who loves a beautifully told story, Number 24 is a cinematic gem that will stay with you long after you leave the theater."
