As part of his master’s thesis, Christopher Olson is considering how Nicolas Winding Refn is creating and depicting a stable notion of masculinity in his films; specifically, in Pusher, Bronson, Valhalla Rising and Drive. 

In this blog post, he explores what is Refn’s notion of a mythical masculinity, and how he begins to develop and cultivate this concept across those four movies.  Given the globalized nature of Refn’s life and movies, this mythical masculinity is itself seen as a universal concept, spread through the stories of pop culture.

Olson also provides readers with a synopsis of each movie that does not spoil the enjoyment of watching them.

Nicolas Winding Refn and the Construction of a Stable Masculinity: Part I.