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The Norwegian-language thriller Number 24 is based on the life of Gunnar Sønsteby, who was one of Norway's most decorated war heroes. Released on Netflix on January 1, 2025, the movie lasts an hour and fifty-one minutes. The movie talks about the terrible things that happened in World War II and the brave actions of a man who became a symbol of resistance against Nazi rule.
The story shows how Gunnar changes from a young mountain climber to a famous resistance fighter. Early in the story, Gunnar sees Nazis setting books on fire, which makes him want to fight for freedom.
In Number 24, Gunnar Sønsteby finds redemption by facing his past and telling Erling Solheim's descendant that he feels bad about what he did during the war. This reveals that he understands how his actions affect others. Even though what he did was necessary for the Resistance, the ending shows how much emotional weight he carried.
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Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Number 24 movie. Readers’ discretion is advised.
The ending of Number 24 movie explained
Sønsteby’s transformation into Agent No. 24
The movie of Number 24 starts with a young Sønsteby, whose carefree life in Rjukan is thrown into chaos when the Nazis invade Norway in 1940. He is a simple accountant who is horrified by the Nazis' growing power and the burning of books. Since he feels uneasy, he decides to join the Norwegian Resistance. This is the first step in his becoming a wartime legend.
Sønsteby joining the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and being given the job of Agent No. 24 is a major turning point. Sønsteby doesn't want to run away to safety in England, so he goes back to Norway to plan secret operations.
His early missions, which included everything from printing money to smuggling information, show how smart and determined he was.
When Sønsteby and his team, who the Nazis are always watching, attack important German installations, the stakes rise. As a result of these missions, the Oslo Gang was formed, a group that did dangerous sabotage work. Sønsteby's ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt, and lead made him known as a master strategist.
The Oslo Gang’s mission and the rising cost of resistance
The main plot of the Number 24 movie is about what the Oslo Gang does. The group's plan to damage the city archive and the Kongsberg weapons factory shows how determined they are to stop Nazi activities. But the Nazis respond badly to these acts of defiance, putting Resistance members in great danger.
The Gestapo steps up its efforts to crush the Resistance, which includes torturous questioning and public executions. Sønsteby stays one step ahead of those who are after him by using fake names and safe houses. Still, the weight of responsibility grows, especially when friends are killed or tortured.
One of the most controversial parts is when Sønsteby orders the killing of collaborators, including the notorious Karl Marthinsen. These actions not only stop Nazi plans, but they also lead to terrible retaliation that kills innocent Norwegians. The moral difficulties of these choices cast a shadow over Sønsteby's accomplishments.
Erling Solheim: The betrayal and tragedy
During the latter portion of Number 24, the film shifts to a more intimate portrayal of Gunnar Sønsteby as he addresses questions from present-day students. A particularly persistent student asks whether the Resistance forces might have unintentionally harmed Norwegian citizens during the Nazi occupation.
Sønsteby concedes that some individuals were tortured and killed by the Nazis in reprisal for Resistance activities, yet he asserts that the link was not direct. This same student then discloses that her ancestor’s brother, Erling Solheim, was supposedly executed by Resistance members, even though family lore maintained his innocence.
Flashbacks reveal that Solheim, in truth, aided the Nazis by helping them track and detain Resistance members, many of whom had been his childhood friends. Concerned primarily with safeguarding his family, he believed collaboration with German authorities was the surest way to remain out of danger.
In search of this misguided security, he provided names and addresses to the occupiers, including Sonsteby’s own details. Further, Solheim appeared disturbingly sympathetic to Nazi acts, such as book burnings and the establishment of concentration camps.
When Sønsteby discovered Solheim’s betrayal, he felt compelled to arrange his former friend’s execution. Solheim was killed on February 27, 1945. By depicting these sorrowful events, Number 24 powerfully illustrates how war can sever even the strongest bonds.
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The emotional fallout: A hidden regret
The Number 24 movie ending revisits Sønsteby in the present as he answers students’ questions about his wartime actions. When confronted by a descendant of Solheim, Sønsteby initially denies knowing him. However, in a private conversation, he seemingly acknowledges the painful truth.
This moment is framed by Sønsteby’s philosophy of compartmentalization, represented by the metaphor of “five drawers” in his mind. While he locks away memories of wartime horrors, the encounter with Solheim’s relative forces him to confront his guilt.
Sønsteby’s tears in the final scene suggest a deep, unspoken regret, yet his steadfast belief in the necessity of his actions remains intact.
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At the end of the movie Number 24, there is a reflection on Sønsteby's lasting legacy. Norway's highest military honors were given to him for his brave missions and smart strategic thinking. Even though the war left Sønsteby with mental scars, he lived a life of service to others and unswerving patriotism after the war.
The movie Number 24 shows Gunnar's actions during the war and how they affected his life afterward through flashbacks and intense monologues. It is a haunting but human portrayal of strength and regret.
