I really like the foreign made gangster/crime genre whether it is movies or television. Most of the "Hollywood" formula is absent from these productions which is a good thing. Gangs of Oslo is no exception. It starts slow. In fact I couldn't really get into it until about the 3rd episode. It takes off from there and brings the nuance I like from productions that are outside of the normal "Hollywood" fare. Its not a over the top gangster show that tries to bombard with you with constant improbable moments which are suppose to surprise you and keep you engaged. No, its very well written. This is a must watch for cinemaphiles who look for nuance and fantastic writing.
13 Reviews
Good show with a moral dilemma
laduqesa9 October 2023
First of all, I'm not sure why the Bokmål Norwegian title of the series was changed to Gangs of Oslo. The Norwegian title described far more relevantly the concept underlying the series.
OK, that quibble over, the programme delved into interesting dilemmas about loyalty and compulsion. Does one remain loyal to one's job or one's friends from childhood, one of whom is owed a debt by the other? In the end, the friends stay loyal to each other in a neat plot twist that exonerated Moaz and liberates Rami.
Yes, the story is a bit threadbare at times and the strategies followed by the investigators to catch their man shouldn't have fooled either of the main characters. I'm neither a cop nor a gangster but I saw through what was happening. However, I didn't see the ending coming.
Not as good as some similar series, but still worth a watch. Get through the slightly slow episode one and stick with it.
OK, that quibble over, the programme delved into interesting dilemmas about loyalty and compulsion. Does one remain loyal to one's job or one's friends from childhood, one of whom is owed a debt by the other? In the end, the friends stay loyal to each other in a neat plot twist that exonerated Moaz and liberates Rami.
Yes, the story is a bit threadbare at times and the strategies followed by the investigators to catch their man shouldn't have fooled either of the main characters. I'm neither a cop nor a gangster but I saw through what was happening. However, I didn't see the ending coming.
Not as good as some similar series, but still worth a watch. Get through the slightly slow episode one and stick with it.
Amateur yet good?
retababyagyare25 September 2023
Okay so this is a gang movie but not the kind of tough gang things we like to see. It's like some teenagers gang. The things they do, the petty fights, they all come across as some young adults in a starting of gang that don't really know what is going on or how to handle drug transports or even run a gang.
It's a pretty okay series. Don't expect so much. Just expect something basic you can enjoy. It's quite slow too so have patience.
There were some really unnecessary scenes but guess they all join to make it lengthy so yh.
Simply put, it just seems like a group of people in a gang that do not even know what to do.
It's a pretty okay series. Don't expect so much. Just expect something basic you can enjoy. It's quite slow too so have patience.
There were some really unnecessary scenes but guess they all join to make it lengthy so yh.
Simply put, it just seems like a group of people in a gang that do not even know what to do.
Blood Brothers
searchanddestroy-16 October 2023
This Norwegian series plot reminds me a 2018 French crime drama FRERES ENNEMIS, telling the friendship between a cop and a hoodlum, childhood friends. Maybe this TV show is a remake, I don't know. Anyway, it is rather well done, many clichés, a scheme already seen many times before. I guess that in the future, we'll have Gangs of Lisbon, " " of Ouagadougou.... We already have GANGS OF LONDON. This series will maybe continue, I don't know, maybe, and if it is the case, I will watch it. Good suspense, good performances, taut.... Not bad but nothing exceptional. Nothing to be compared with the "untouchable" GOMORRA for instance.
Billed as crime but also a social drama
imranahmedsg10 January 2024
It's tough being an immigrant - even second generation - in European society. The Gangs of Oslo suggests exactly that. Even gifted kids with a bright future find themselves caught up in an environment which makes 'escape' into 'normal' society difficult.
The show revolves around a Pakistani immigrant police officer who can't shake off his childhood friendship with a present day gang leader. Despite his best effort the officer, Moaz, is caught up in the crime nexus.
As the series develops, flashbacks provide more context as does the predicament of a young 'runner' for the gang.
Ultimately, after some unexpected twists and tirndsy, there's a conclusion to the contradictions ... You'll have to watch to get the details!
The show revolves around a Pakistani immigrant police officer who can't shake off his childhood friendship with a present day gang leader. Despite his best effort the officer, Moaz, is caught up in the crime nexus.
As the series develops, flashbacks provide more context as does the predicament of a young 'runner' for the gang.
Ultimately, after some unexpected twists and tirndsy, there's a conclusion to the contradictions ... You'll have to watch to get the details!
Poor acting skills
hgvkbn30 September 2023
Something is off about this series. Scandinavian thrillers is my all time favourite genre but this series is just not it. Poor acting skills apart from the boy in red. The main character is portrayed by the most stiff and boring actor. There is no thrill and it seems quite unrealistic and stiff. Im sure someone had a great idea when they thought of this show but unfortunately it is implemented very poorly. They could have done such a great show with this storyline.
There is not much to add just dont waste your precious time on watching too many episodes of this series. The swedish version on the other hand is very interesting.
There is not much to add just dont waste your precious time on watching too many episodes of this series. The swedish version on the other hand is very interesting.
Amateur hour
Gringoen10 September 2023
Not sure where to start about how horrible this series is. Here it seems like they have gathered random people without any acting experience and just mashed up this wannabe show. Acting here is as bad as it gets. There is no atmosphere in the series and everything feels very forced and unnatural. If they had only thought of getting a functioning director it could have played out better. Oslo does have a lot of gangsters as it is portrayed in this series, but i dont even think will like this one bit. Cinematography and music also fails in this series. Better camerawork could have been used to take some focus of the terrible acting.. After watching 2 episodes im gonna have to try and forget this disaster.
dear god.
bvlllo29 September 2023
Oh, where to begin with this show? It's like they discovered the magic of bokeh and just couldn't let it go.
I could almost hear the director shouting, "More bokeh! We need more bokeh!" in every production meeting. It's like they had a bokeh quota to meet or something. Heres an idea. Maybe throw in a few shots where the background is actually discernible.
Ah, the plot, the saving grace of this rollercoaster of a show. It's like they threw a dart at a wall of story ideas and landed on "passable." Don't get me wrong, "passable" can sometimes be code for "It's okay, I guess," but in this case, it's the lifeboat in a sea of chaos.
Finally the acting. If i had to describe it with one word, it would be volatile. One moment, you're witnessing a dramatic scene that would make Shakespeare proud. The next, it's like they've switched gears and are channeling their inner cardboard cutout. But hey... its entertainment.
I could almost hear the director shouting, "More bokeh! We need more bokeh!" in every production meeting. It's like they had a bokeh quota to meet or something. Heres an idea. Maybe throw in a few shots where the background is actually discernible.
Ah, the plot, the saving grace of this rollercoaster of a show. It's like they threw a dart at a wall of story ideas and landed on "passable." Don't get me wrong, "passable" can sometimes be code for "It's okay, I guess," but in this case, it's the lifeboat in a sea of chaos.
Finally the acting. If i had to describe it with one word, it would be volatile. One moment, you're witnessing a dramatic scene that would make Shakespeare proud. The next, it's like they've switched gears and are channeling their inner cardboard cutout. But hey... its entertainment.
Good acting, good pace, good story
alexander-tangstad10 September 2023
I don't write much reviews but after watching this show and then reading the only review, battering every aspect of the show, I felt the need to write something that is more representable and not just a hate speech because it wasn't how I wanted I to be.
Gangs of Oslo is about two blood brothers from the childhood - one growing up to be the leader of a gang, the other a cop and how their stories entangles after not ben speaking since they were 15.
The show keeps you interested in what's next and you will get surprises, good moments and twists. Cinematography is good for this kind of series and it's well built up.
Maybe the show starts a little slow in the first episode but finds a good and increasing pace throughout the show. I for one liked the acting and characters a lot and I think most of the actors solved their role/part in a great way.
Gangs of Oslo is exactly what it is supposed to be, and for me that counts a whole lot in how I review it. I hope they come up with a good s2 follow up.
This is not "Snabba Cash"(similar concept from Sweden) where you're basically on the edge of your seat every step of the way. But, if you're going to compare everything to anything you will always end up being disappointed.
I would say 8/10 but since I live in Oslo it gets an extra star:)
Gangs of Oslo is about two blood brothers from the childhood - one growing up to be the leader of a gang, the other a cop and how their stories entangles after not ben speaking since they were 15.
The show keeps you interested in what's next and you will get surprises, good moments and twists. Cinematography is good for this kind of series and it's well built up.
Maybe the show starts a little slow in the first episode but finds a good and increasing pace throughout the show. I for one liked the acting and characters a lot and I think most of the actors solved their role/part in a great way.
Gangs of Oslo is exactly what it is supposed to be, and for me that counts a whole lot in how I review it. I hope they come up with a good s2 follow up.
This is not "Snabba Cash"(similar concept from Sweden) where you're basically on the edge of your seat every step of the way. But, if you're going to compare everything to anything you will always end up being disappointed.
I would say 8/10 but since I live in Oslo it gets an extra star:)
The first 10 minutes of the first episode is enough
qui_j14 September 2023
It's impossible to know who the target audience for this series should be! It certainly has no global appeal, so one can only assume it's intended only for Swedish audiences. The story starts off in a confused and pointless manner, and continues along the same vein. The camera used seems to be a hand held phone and the grossly artificial beards appear to have been bought at the local carpet store. One can only assume this is either some kind of caricature or a vanity project. It's no wonder that so many of the streaming platforms are now hemorrhaging cash as a result of stupid, low quality products like this one!
"Information is king!"
alex-kalve14 September 2023
Hailed by Ricky Gervais recently on Twitter, this show peaked my interest. I am Norwegian myself and also live on the east side of Oslo, close to where many of the shows locations are set - which was a nice thing to see!
Set in the east side of Oslo, historically renown for it's gangs and high crime rate, we follow two "brothers" from a fictitious area "Lakkeberg" - Moaz and Rami, who grew up together but ultimately chose their lives on each side of the law. The story revolves around Rami and his criminal gang called the "Enemiez" and Moaz as the police investigator. The show has a slow start but slowly grows on you. The twists and turns keeps you on edge in the later episodes. The personal stories of everyone - the kids, the families, the gangs and police - come through well and you get a good feel for the complicated choices they all have to go through.
Special compliments to both main actors as they portray the feelings and complicated life choices very well, and are credible in their roles.
The show is all around well acted by the entire cast, has a great score and good drama/action throughout. Give it a go, you won't regret!
Set in the east side of Oslo, historically renown for it's gangs and high crime rate, we follow two "brothers" from a fictitious area "Lakkeberg" - Moaz and Rami, who grew up together but ultimately chose their lives on each side of the law. The story revolves around Rami and his criminal gang called the "Enemiez" and Moaz as the police investigator. The show has a slow start but slowly grows on you. The twists and turns keeps you on edge in the later episodes. The personal stories of everyone - the kids, the families, the gangs and police - come through well and you get a good feel for the complicated choices they all have to go through.
Special compliments to both main actors as they portray the feelings and complicated life choices very well, and are credible in their roles.
The show is all around well acted by the entire cast, has a great score and good drama/action throughout. Give it a go, you won't regret!
This was great!
amundsca18 September 2023
Just finished watching the series, and cannot understand the negative reviews here, they have clearly not watched the show.
With only 6 episodes, and the show coming to a satisfying end, this is worth your time.
Leading actors are good, I also really like the camera techniques used, even though I am not much for drone footage, as that is not our normal point of view.
It can be quite intense, the plot is only over a short time period, illustrates how cynical criminal gangs need to be, and how restricted police might be under these circumstances. Some say it is a Norwegian "the wire" while I felt it was a bit like "The Departed" It is not the very best show I have watched, so it might have gotten an extra point to compensate for the other uninformed reviews here.
With only 6 episodes, and the show coming to a satisfying end, this is worth your time.
Leading actors are good, I also really like the camera techniques used, even though I am not much for drone footage, as that is not our normal point of view.
It can be quite intense, the plot is only over a short time period, illustrates how cynical criminal gangs need to be, and how restricted police might be under these circumstances. Some say it is a Norwegian "the wire" while I felt it was a bit like "The Departed" It is not the very best show I have watched, so it might have gotten an extra point to compensate for the other uninformed reviews here.
Amazing drama
Ariana1E9 October 2023
Shocked by some of the poor reviews here. Did we see the same series? Make sure to not watch it dubbed, but in Norwegian with English subtitles.
It's not the super action packed type of gang series, it's more of a slow burn with focus on the characters and the relations between them. It gets better with every episode. Great acting, and very interesting to see a series from the east side of Oslo. Loved it!
I will recommend this series to everyone I know. Amazing performances by the actors, interesting plot and you end up even caring for the bad guys in this series. I like that the series shows they are compassionate people too, even if they commit terrible crimes.
It's not the super action packed type of gang series, it's more of a slow burn with focus on the characters and the relations between them. It gets better with every episode. Great acting, and very interesting to see a series from the east side of Oslo. Loved it!
I will recommend this series to everyone I know. Amazing performances by the actors, interesting plot and you end up even caring for the bad guys in this series. I like that the series shows they are compassionate people too, even if they commit terrible crimes.
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