Year: 2004
Runtime: 107 mins
Language: Danish
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Starting a new role as a political journalist at a prominent newspaper, Ulrik Torp becomes embroiled in the Midparty’s violent power struggle, which erupts just as the charismatic party leader is involved in a near‑fatal car crash. A wave of lies and media speculation surrounds the incident, and Ulrik gradually uncovers a ruthless conspiracy that reaches the incumbent prime minister.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen King’s Game yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of King’s Game (2004), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Eleven days before the parliamentary election, the Centre Party’s main candidate, who is poised to become the next Danish Prime Minister, and his wife are injured in a car accident. Their condition is critical, and nobody knows if he will survive. Even his wife, who is hospitalized, is not informed. The next day, Ulrik Torp, Anders W. Berthelsen is assigned to cover the election and is quickly drawn into the internal power struggle within the Centre Party, where two very different figures—Erik Dreier Jensen, Søren Pilmark, and Lone Kjeldsen, Nastja Arcel—jockey for influence and a potential path to the premiership. Torp, the son of a former justice minister, writes his first front-page story after a tip-off from the Centre Party press coordinator, Peter Schou, Lars Mikkelsen. The piece turns out to be planted spin designed to damage Lone Kjeldsen, giving Dreyer the upper hand as her credibility begins to crumble.
Ulrik Torp, [Anders W. Berthelsen], is determined to uncover the truth behind the lies fueling Kjeldsen’s vulnerable husband’s despair. Tracing the misinformation to its source, he informs his editor and the paper’s owner, who proves to be an old college friend of Dreyer. The two parties close ranks, and Torp is fired. He then confronts Dreyer about what he knows: a cover-up surrounding the death of party leader Aksel Brunn, who is reported as still on life support, though sources claim he was brain dead from day one. Brunn’s 22-year-old son is paid off to back Dreyer’s stall, but Dreyer dismisses Torp as an unemployed malcontent. In a final turn, Torp teams up with left-wing stringer Henrik Moll, Nicolas Bro, to expose the plot on national television. The revelation unsettles the political landscape for a moment, but Dreyer’s extensive network and influence push him toward the top once again.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:09
Don't stop at just watching — explore King’s Game 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 King’s Game is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of King’s Game with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape King’s Game. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.