Flame and Citron

Flame and Citron

Year: 2009

Runtime: 130 min

Language: Danish

Director: Ole Christian Madsen

DramaHistoryThrillerCrimeWar

During the final days of World War II in occupied Denmark, resistance fighters Flame and Citron carry out dangerous missions, eliminating those who collaborate with the Nazis. When they are ordered to assassinate a comrade, they grapple with difficult moral choices and the complexities of their cause. Their focus turns to Karl Heinz Hoffman, the brutal Gestapo chief, as they become entangled in a deadly game of deception and pursuit, where allegiances are tested and the stakes are incredibly high.

Flame and Citron (2009) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Flame and Citron (2009) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the waning months of World War II, Denmark lives under the heavy shadow of Nazi occupation. The streets of Copenhagen hum with a tense mixture of fear and quiet defiance, as an underground movement stitches together fragments of hope amid ever‑tightening constraints. Within this fraught landscape, a pair of young resistance fighters emerges, bound by a fierce loyalty to one another and to a cause that demands both courage and sacrifice.

Bent Faurschou Hviid, known by the code name “Flame,” moves with restless energy, his determination tempered by moments of doubt. Beside him stands Jørgen Haagen Schmith, the stoic “Citron,” whose resolve provides a steady counterpoint to Bent’s impulsive spark. Their partnership is a study in contrast—flame and citrus, heat and cool—yet each relies on the other to navigate the moral labyrinth of clandestine warfare. Together they confront the daily grind of secrecy, the strain of living double lives, and the relentless pressure of making choices that could endanger not only themselves but the very people they strive to protect.

The resistance’s network is a tangled web of contacts and hidden motives. A courier who appears in a dimly lit bar introduces an element of intrigue, hinting at the complex layers of allegiance that define the struggle. Their handler, a figure with shifting loyalties, adds another strand to the delicate balance of trust and deception that the pair must constantly negotiate. These interactions paint a portrait of an underground world where every whispered message carries weight, and where the line between friend and informant is perpetually blurred.

Against this backdrop looms the figure of the Gestapo’s chief, a symbol of the occupying force’s uncompromising grip. The atmosphere is one of perpetual suspense, a chiaroscuro of hope and peril that colors every decision. The film’s tone remains gritty and intimate, emphasizing the psychological toll of resistance work while leaving the precise outcomes of their daring endeavors to the imagination.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:37

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Resistance dramas like Flame and Citron

Gripping stories of moral compromise and sacrifice under brutal occupation.If you liked the tense, high-stakes world of Flame and Citron, explore more movies about resistance fighters and spies. These similar war stories and thrillers capture the moral complexity, sacrifice, and constant danger faced by those fighting from the shadows.

tenseparanoidgrippingdesperatesuspensefultragic

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a small group or individual operatives as they carry out dangerous missions against an oppressive regime. The journey is often one of increasing moral compromise, where initial ideals are tested by brutal realities, leading to paranoia, betrayal, and tragic sacrifices.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared setting of clandestine warfare and their focus on the heavy emotional and moral weight borne by their protagonists. They create a consistently tense and bleak mood through a portrayal of desperate individuals trapped in a deadly game.

Bleak and morally complex thrillers like Flame and Citron

High-stakes stories where protagonists are tested by a corrupt and deceptive world.For viewers who appreciated the intense, morally gray, and tragic narrative of Flame and Citron, this section features similar movies. Discover other bleak thrillers and crime dramas with fast pacing, heavy themes, and endings that provide no easy answers.

bleaksuspensefulmorally ambiguousgrippingtragicdesperatetense

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc in these films is a downward spiral, where a protagonist's righteous or necessary mission becomes corrupted by the very system they are fighting. The plot is driven by a cat-and-mouse dynamic filled with betrayals, forcing characters into impossible choices that ultimately lead to their undoing or profound disillusionment.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their shared visceral experience: a fast-paced, high-intensity plot combined with a tense, morally ambiguous tone that culminates in a bleak resolution. The emotional journey is consistently heavy, prioritizing psychological tension and tragic outcomes over hope or redemption.

Unlock the Full Story of Flame and Citron

Don't stop at just watching — explore Flame and Citron in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Flame and Citron is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Flame and Citron Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Flame and Citron, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Flame and Citron Summary

Flame and Citron Timeline

Track the full timeline of Flame and Citron with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Flame and Citron Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Flame and Citron

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Flame and Citron. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Flame and Citron

More About Flame and Citron

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Flame and Citron: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Flame and Citron

Similar Movies to Flame and Citron

Discover movies like Flame and Citron that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.