Netflix’s Forgotten World War II Masterpiece Has A Perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score — And The Extraordinary True Story Behind It Is Almost Impossible To Believe

Netflix is home to countless World War II dramas, but one overlooked Norwegian film is earning exceptional praise for telling the extraordinary true story of a resistance fighter who risked everything to defy Nazi occupation.

Number 24, directed by John Andreas Andersen, follows Gunnar Sønsteby, one of Norway’s most celebrated wartime heroes, whose dangerous missions helped shape the country’s resistance movement.

With a reported perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the historical drama has been described as a masterpiece, an underrated gem and one of the most moving war films available to stream.

Yet what makes this film particularly compelling is not simply the danger of its wartime missions, but the difficult moral questions surrounding the choices its central figure was forced to make.

Set during the German occupation of Norway, Number 24 follows Gunnar Sønsteby from 1940 through the end of World War II.

Sønsteby became a prominent member of the Norwegian resistance, participating in dangerous operations against the occupying forces.

The film takes its title from one of his most frequently used code names, Number 24.

Working with the Oslo Group, Sønsteby helped organise sabotage operations and other resistance activities designed to undermine the Nazi occupation.

These missions demanded extraordinary secrecy, courage and determination, with the threat of capture hanging over those involved.

Rather than presenting his wartime experiences as a straightforward action adventure, the film explores the psychological and moral consequences of resistance.

The story unfolds through a framing narrative in which an elderly Sønsteby speaks to students about his experiences during the war.

As he looks back on the decisions he made, the film raises difficult questions about duty, sacrifice and the cost of fighting oppression.

A Powerful Performance At The Centre Of The Film

Norwegian actor Sjur Vatne Brean portrays the young Gunnar Sønsteby, delivering a performance that has attracted particular praise.

Rather than relying on dramatic speeches or exaggerated displays of emotion, Brean presents Gunnar as a disciplined, intensely focused individual whose determination is often conveyed through subtle expressions.

One viewer praised the actor’s restrained approach, describing his portrayal as a masterclass in subtlety.

The performance captures the tension between Sønsteby’s outward composure and the enormous responsibility he carries.

Director John Andreas Andersen complements that portrayal with a tense, uncompromising depiction of wartime Norway.

The result is a drama that focuses not only on resistance operations but also on the personal consequences of living under occupation.

Why Critics Are Calling It A Masterpiece

Number 24 has received glowing reviews, with its reported 100% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ rating helping distinguish it from many other historical war films.

Reviewers have praised its gripping storytelling, strong performances and willingness to explore the moral complexities of armed resistance.

One critic highlighted the film’s portrayal of both humanity’s courage and cruelty, while another commended its examination of the difficult boundary between justice and necessity.

The film has also been praised for contrasting the experiences of wartime Sønsteby with the reflections of his older self.

That structure gives the story an additional emotional dimension, allowing audiences to consider how decisions made during extraordinary circumstances can continue to resonate decades later.

Netflix Viewers Are Particularly Moved By The Ending

Audience responses have been similarly enthusiastic.

Several viewers have described the film as thought-provoking, emotionally powerful and an important reminder of Norway’s wartime resistance.

One viewer said the drama inspired them to learn more about the real Gunnar Sønsteby.

Another praised the film’s emotional conclusion and advised others to pay close attention to the information presented during the closing moments.

Others highlighted the realism of the production and its portrayal of people confronting impossible decisions during a national crisis.

The emotional impact appears to come from the combination of historical events and the deeply personal experiences of those who lived through them.

A World War II Drama That Deserves More Attention

Unlike many major Hollywood war productions, Number 24 focuses on a chapter of European resistance history that may be less familiar to international audiences.

Its emphasis on sabotage, secrecy and moral responsibility offers a different perspective from traditional battlefield epics.

At the centre stands a real man whose wartime actions made him Norway’s most highly decorated citizen.

But the film does not simply celebrate his bravery. It also asks viewers to confront the difficult decisions that resistance fighters faced and the lasting consequences of their actions.

For anyone searching for a powerful World War II drama on Netflix, Number 24 offers something beyond spectacle: an extraordinary true story of courage, sacrifice and the moral weight of standing against an occupying force.

Number 24 is available to stream on Netflix.