After valiantly battling the communists in Finland, Max Manus finds himself back in his homeland of Norway, now under Nazi occupation. Driven by his patriotic spirit, he joins the Norwegian resistance, standing up against the oppressive German forces. However, his efforts lead to his arrest, but not for long; he cunningly escapes to Scotland, where he undergoes rigorous training before being dispatched back to Norway for perilous sabotage missions aimed at the enemy.

Returning alongside his comrade, Gregers Gram, Max’s initial operation targets German supply ships, resulting in a spectacular triumph that places him squarely on the radar of the ruthless Gestapo commander, Siegfried Wolfgang Fehmer. Yet, Max’s cleverness allows him to slip from Fehmer’s grasp, which leads to the formation of the notorious “Oslo-group” with key allies like Gunnar Sønsteby.

As the war intensifies, Stockholm emerges as a crucial haven for Norwegians engaged in allied military operations. It is here that Gregers Gram introduces Max to Tikken, a devoted Norwegian operative for the British consulate. Their connection rapidly deepens into a meaningful bond that provides solace amidst the chaos of war.

Tragically, as the conflict worsens, Max witnesses the loss of many dear friends, a toll that weighs heavily on his conscience, leaving him troubled by the burden of survival. In a fateful confrontation with Fehmer, Max comes to a haunting realization: the devastation of war spares no one, rendering all involved mere victims caught in its senseless brutality.