Headhunters poster

Headhunters

"The hunt is on."

Movie R 2011 1h 40m 7.2 /10
Directed by Morten Tyldum

Roger Brown is a successful headhunter who leads a flashy life built on risk and deception. By day he scouts top executives, by night he gambles with timing and cover stories to fund his opulent lifestyle. His latest scheme targets a priceless painting owned by Clas Greve, a former mercenary with... Read more

Watch Now

Where to Watch "Headhunters"

Rent or Buy

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Disney+
Max
Hulu
Paramount+
Peacock
Apple TV+

Streaming availability last verified: February 24, 2026

About Headhunters

Roger Brown is a successful headhunter who leads a flashy life built on risk and deception. By day he scouts top executives, by night he gambles with timing and cover stories to fund his opulent lifestyle. His latest scheme targets a priceless painting owned by Clas Greve, a former mercenary with a guarded past. Brown believes the plan will pay off without exposing his true identity, yet the venture pulls in rival players and dangerous secrets. The chase tightens and the balance between hunter and prey shifts with each move. The film sustains brisk momentum through sharp editing, stylish visuals, and tight dialogue, keeping the tension high without revealing every twist. The tension never falters and the pace stays taut.

Directed by Morten Tyldum and released in 2011, Headhunters adapts Jo Nesbos acclaimed thriller Headhunters for the screen. The Norwegian crime drama pairs a polished gallery world with hard edged suspense, anchored by Aksel Hennie in a strong lead performance.

Box Office: The film grossed approximately 18,962,444 dollars worldwide, a solid return for a Norwegian crime thriller. Its global appeal demonstrated that Nordic noir centered around stylish heists can attract audiences beyond language barriers. It resonated across European markets worldwide.

It helped boost Nordic crime thrillers on international screens with its sleek look and brisk pace. The cat and mouse chase between thief and protector of art became a reference point for stylish genre entries, signaling that Norwegian cinema could compete for attention beyond regional audiences. It opened doors worldwide.

Reception and themes: Critics praised the film for its tight pacing, visual flair, and dark humor that spices the thriller elements. It probes greed and identity through a double life, showing how risk management can backfire. The story examines trust, consequence, and the price of art theft for the characters.

Details

Release Date
August 26, 2011
Runtime
1h 40m
Rating
R
User Ratings
1,330 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Thriller, Crime, Action
Country
Germany
Studio
Nordisk Film Denmark +4 more
Box Office
$18,962,444
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Aksel Hennie

Aksel Hennie

Roger Brown

Synnøve Macody Lund

Synnøve Macody Lund

Diana Brown

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Clas Greve

Julie R. Ølgaard

Julie R. Ølgaard

Lotte

Kyrre Haugen Sydness

Kyrre Haugen Sydness

Lander

Valentina Alexeeva

Valentina Alexeeva

Natasja

Reidar Sørensen

Reidar Sørensen

Brede Sperre

Eivind Sander

Eivind Sander

Ove Kjikerud

Nils Jørgen Kaalstad

Nils Jørgen Kaalstad

Stig

J

Joachim Rafaelsen

Brugd

Director: Morten Tyldum

Written by: Ulf Rydberg, Lars Gudmestad, Jo Nesbø

Frequently Asked Questions

Headhunters is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 7.2/10 from 1,330 viewers, Headhunters is well-received and recommended by the community. It's a good pick if you enjoy thriller, crime, and action stories.

Roger Brown is a successful headhunter who leads a flashy life built on risk and deception. By day he scouts top executives, by night he gambles with timing and cover stories to fund his opulent lifestyle. His latest scheme targets a priceless painting owned by Clas Greve, a former mercenary with...

No, Headhunters is a fictional thriller based on Jo Nesbø's novel. It was directed by Morten Tyldum.

Aksel Hennie plays Roger Brown, the accomplished headhunter at the center of the film.