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The Absent One

Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Fares Fares

Pilou Asbæk

David Dencik

Danica Ćurčić

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina

Johanne Louise Schmidt

Marco Ilsø

Beate Bille

Peter Christoffersen

Søren Pilmark

Michael Brostrup

Morten Kirkskov

Phillip Stilling

Adam Ild Rohweder

Anton Honik

Kristian Høgh Jeppesen

Katrine Greis-Rosenthal

Hans Henrik Voetmann

Hans Henrik Clemensen

Dan Zahle

Henning Valin Jakobsen

Diana Axelsen

Zeev Sevik Perl

Kasper Løfvall Stensbirk

Peter Damm-Ottesen

Nikolaj Groth

Katrine Bruun

Emma Sehested Høeg

Marie Lydie Melono Nokouda

Lars Thiesgaard

Elena Arndt-Jensen

Martine Ølbye Hjejle

Frederikke Thomassen

Jennifer Bülow

Casper Steffensen

Simon Papousek

Stig Reggelsen Skjold

Anders Budde

Mads Rømer

Peder Bille

Klaus Barfod

Hugo Holmblad

Lillian Albeck

Falke Mikailsen

Divya Das

Mikkel Nørgaard

Rasmus Heisterberg

Eric Kress

Nikolaj Arcel

Hummer Højmark

Rasmus Arrildt

Zazie Knepper

Dennis Albrethsen

Rasmus Thjellesen

Thomas Bloem

Anja Philip

Jussi Adler-Olsen

Louise Vesth

Patrik Andrén

Johan Söderqvist

Madeleine Ekman

Hans Møller

Morten Egholm

Jessica Ask

Peter Aalbæk Jensen

Jonas Bagger

Maria Köpf

Frederik Strunk

Uno Helmersson

Doris Schrenner

Wolfgang Feindt

Peter Nadermann

Signe Storstein

Stine Thaning

Birgitte Samson

Ida Harder

Julie Friis Walenciak

Björn Eggert

Anne Blohm Rudbæk

Louise Kjær Kuscu

Christoph Heitmann

Emily Nicoline Quist

Peter Hingebjerg

Carina Svendsgaard Jeppesen

Lillian Rype Fokdal

Jeanette Nordahl

Anders Huulgaard

Daniel Parmo

Andreas Winding

Henrik Kristensen

Pia Anthony

Anne-Marie Qvortrup

Christina Dahlin

Stefan Pruss

Reno

> The second episode: A new case in the hands.

A follow up to 'The Keeper of Lost Causes' based on the Danish crime-thriller novel of the same name in the original language. That one was a classy, a brilliant initiation in the 'Department Q' series. One of the best Scandinavian detective movie I have ever seen. I expected same energetic, caliber and suspenseful in this as well. But marginally disappointing, yet it stood and delivered to the previous film's standard.

In this second episode, it was a murder mystery for Carl and Assad to crack it down. They did not choose it, the case did. It was a long pending affair in the department, since then the world has changed a lot. But the father of twins murdered who investigated privately leaves all the required evidence to the Department Q team. Now, where these two deeply dedicated detectives begin, how they dig it and whether they reach the other end of the investigation to uncover everything is the rest of the film.

With a new target in the hands, the Department Q world expands further bigger than the first film. Takes us to the two decades earlier and narrates some of the key events by introducing new characters. So it also creates curiosity about the happenings around and sufficient suspense where it all went wrong. The prediction was not that hard, but without a clear picture of what happened, I simply failed to make a guess as I do always. The story holds everything back, that's a weak point, but very gripping with those thrilling going after scenes.

> "I never met anyone as destructive as him."

Too much of flashbacks might be the reason for movie to lose the original appeal. It reduced Carl and Assad's screen-space. It was good for this particular plot to develop the story and characters, but did not help what Department Q theme is known for. That was not at all, certainly it was a good story, I'm not arguing with that, but the presentation was not charming enough and the dearth of fine action sequences was a little setback which was absolutely necessary in the cop themed films.

The movie was shot very well with maintaining the same tone from the first, along great performances by everyone. The difference between Carl and Assad remained, we should say it was maintained as it should be. In any two buddy cop movies, they are always antipodal characteristic. It was like a cliche, but brings the better outcome. These two guys together form a best homicide team in Copenhagen police department. Now the third character introduced in this part, a secretary who loosely hangs around, but out of the league from the perspective of story narration.

Very much a Danish's answer to the Swedish's 'Dragon Tattoo' films. But in a way the two are not a comparable, if you do, then this one lacks in a long way. Because of the type of cop works are different with completely different universe and environment. After the first two films the director has changed for the third film, which is set to hit the screen in 2016. Hoping for 'A Conspiracy of Faith' to do much better than this one, because many more to follow if that succeeds.

7½/10

The Absent One - Official Trailer

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The Absent One

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Nikolaj Lie Kaas

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Pilou Asbæk

David Dencik

Danica Ćurčić

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina

Johanne Louise Schmidt

Marco Ilsø

Beate Bille

Peter Christoffersen

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