Copenhagen Cowboy
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Copenhagen Cowboy
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Copenhagen Cowboy is a Danish miniseries (available dubbed and subtitled in English) intended for older viewers. It features lots of criminal behavior, ranging from sex trafficking to murder, and lots of supernatural elements, including references to spirits and vampires. There's cursing, strong sexual innuendo (including simulated sex acts and partial nudity), and lots of cigarette smoking. Hard liquor is sometimes visible.
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What's the Story?
COPENHAGEN COWBOY, a Danish miniseries by Nicolas Winding Refn, tells the story of a young renegade who's navigating Copenhagen's criminal underworld and seeking vengeance against her nemesis. Miu (Angela Bundalovic) doesn't know where she comes from, and has no papers, but she's thought to have magical powers that will bring luck to those who come into contact with her. After years of being traded among criminals hoping to benefit from her abilities, Miu eventually ends up crossing paths with Nicklas (Andreas Lykke Jorgensen), a mysterious man who comes from a family with supernatural powers of their own. Realizing that he doesn't have the ability to overpower her, he summons Rakel (Lola Corixen), a powerful entity that can potentially destroy her.
Is It Any Good?
The dark, noir-like thriller attempts to create suspense by slowly spinning a story anchored in the underworld and the supernatural. Nicolas Winding Refn fans will recognize the nods to his previous work and some of his signature storytelling styles, like using neon lighting, featuring extreme violence, and starting scenes with long stillnesses. But while the overall production is creative and interesting, Copenhagen Cowboy's narrative unfolds too slowly, leaving most of the reveal for the last episode. Meanwhile, the series is entrenched in Scandinavian mythology, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with the culture to fully understand or appreciate the significance of specific details. As a result, most viewers never get a real picture of Miu's powers, which makes it all that much harder to fully recognize who (or what) she is. It doesn't help that the show's title has nothing to do with tale being told. Those who enjoy Refn's work will want to tune in, but may not find it as good as his other work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways local mythology and folklore contributes to stories from different countries. How can a movie or TV show have universal appeal when it features content that many viewers will be unfamiliar with?
What kind of storytelling is Nicolas Winding Refn best known for? What sets his work apart from other TV shows and movies? How does Copenhagen Cowboy compare with his previous work?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 5, 2023
- Cast: Angela Bundalovic, Andreas Lykke Jorgensen, Lola Corixen
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Humility
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: January 9, 2023
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