Copenhagen Cowboy: Nicolas Winding Refn Clarified The Experience

Nicolas Winding Refn’s new series will look familiar to casual fans, both in terms of the visuals and themes used to establish the plot. The Copenhagen Cowboy is a sequel to the director’s film, Drive, and stars Ryan Gosling in his second outing as a heist driver. Refn wanted to make sure that fans of his previous work understood exactly what they were about to see: “The only expectation I had was for people who have seen the first one because it’s not an easy task driving very fast in Hollywood,” Refn said. “Even though it’s just two minutes long and you don’t get anything out of it other than seeing Ryan Gosling as the character.”

When is Copenhagen Cowboy releasing?

This series was released on 5 January 2023. The director saw the original film, which was set in Los Angeles, and he wanted to expand the scope of the series. “I felt this was a bigger canvas that I could play with,” he explained. “In L.A., a lot is going on, but it’s very homogeneous.  There are some nice little pockets here and there.” He also wanted to expand the world of Hollywood crime: “Hollywood is a very small city but it’s populated by these dreamers who create these little bubbles of glamor where they can do whatever they want without being exposed.

This is how Copenhagen Cowboy Plot unfolds:

The neo-noir drama plays out a dark storyline with its creator’s signature psychedelic flair while preserving the maverick artist’s stunning cinematic aesthetic. The series centers on Ryan Gosling’s character, the Copenhagen Cowboy, a stuntman and wheelman for a high-profile Hollywood actor who is caught up in the lawless underbelly of the entertainment industry. As the series unfolds, people begin to question his role in a fatal car accident and how he fits into this corrupt society. Meanwhile, drug dealers and criminals try to force him into becoming one of their own as they believe he is responsible for a recent string of robberies.

The Name of Cast & Characters of Copenhagen Cowboy:

• Angela Bundalovic · Miu
• Andreas Lykke Jørgensen · Nicklas
• Li Ii Zhang · Mor Hulda
• Jason Hendil-Forssell · Chiang
• Hok Kit Cheng · Ying

What can we expect from the Copenhagen Cowboy?

We can expect a thrilling action-packed series with dark themes about a mysterious man that gets dragged into the Hollywood underworld. Read what Nicolas Winding Refn told Deadline about his new project.

He said: “The general idea is that it’s going to be a short series,” Refn said. “We are going to expand this universe and make some tweaks to the first movie and turn it into more of a TV series but keep the same aesthetic and approach.”

Who are the director’s favorite characters and why?

The favorite characters in his new series are:

Ryan Gosling (Driver from Drive) – he changed a lot from the first movie and Refn enjoyed the challenge of showing a more vulnerable side of him.

James Saito (Driver’s boss in the first movie) – there is so much potential with this character and we will see it unfold in Copenhagen Cowboy. He is responsible for convincing the Driver to be a wheelman.

Mia Hansen-Løve (writer/producer) – she is an extremely talented producer who brings passion and dedication to everything she does, she was a great asset for the project. They have since done another film together, ‘Only God Forgives’ with Ryan Gosling.

What do the reviewers think of Copenhagen Cowboy?

The reviewers seem to be split on this one. Some like the concept and can’t wait to see how it unfolds while others think this is a terrible idea and a cash grab by Refn. The positive reviews seem to be more positive than negative so it seems like we will have to wait and see how this one goes.

What themes does the Copenhagen Cowboy explore?

The themes in the movie are:

Moral Ambiguity – The audience is made to ask themselves if this character is a good guy or a bad guy. He may not be the nicest guy in the world but he’s also not a brutal criminal.