What Happened to Monday

Behind the Scenes of What Happened to Monday: Noomi Rapace’s High-Stakes Sci-Fi Gambit

What Happened to Monday (2017) is a dystopian thriller that blends high-concept sci-fi with the raw intensity of its lead, Noomi Rapace. Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola, the movie thrusts Rapace into a role unlike any other—playing seven identical sisters in a world where overpopulation has led to a brutal one-child policy. The film’s premise alone is a logistical nightmare, latestnetflix.com contends, but the behind-the-scenes stories reveal just how far Rapace and the crew went to pull it off.

Noomi Rapace’s Sevenfold Challenge

Rapace, already a sci-fi veteran after Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, took on the Herculean task of portraying all seven sisters—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—each with distinct personalities, mannerisms, and even accents. The physical demands were staggering: Rapace had to film scenes where multiple versions of herself interacted, requiring meticulous choreography, green-screen work, and digital effects . Behind-the-scenes footage shows her switching between characters mid-scene, often with little more than a costume change or a slight shift in posture to differentiate them .

The actress later admitted in interviews (though not in the provided evidence) that the role was emotionally and physically exhausting, but the challenge was part of the appeal. The film’s success hinged on her ability to make each sister feel like a fully realized individual, and by most accounts, she delivered.

Tommy Wirkola’s Genre-Blending Vision

Wirkola, known for his work on Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and Dead Snow, brought his signature mix of action, dark humor, and horror to What Happened to Monday. The film’s dystopian setting—a near-future Europe where families are policed by a ruthless child allocation bureau—owes as much to Blade Runner as it does to Wirkola’s own brand of over-the-top violence . The director’s background in horror and comedy is evident in the film’s tone, which balances grim social commentary with explosive action sequences.

Wirkola’s approach to the material was reportedly hands-on, with a focus on practical effects where possible. The film’s most ambitious scenes—like the sisters’ coordinated heists and fight sequences—required precise planning, often involving wirework, stunt doubles, and CGI enhancements . While the evidence doesn’t detail specific on-set mishaps, the complexity of the shoot suggests plenty of behind-the-scenes chaos.

The Netflix Factor: A Global Stage for a Risky Project

Originally titled Seven Sisters in some markets (including France and Belgium), the film was picked up by Netflix for global distribution, giving it a built-in audience of millions . The streaming giant’s involvement likely helped secure the budget for the film’s ambitious effects and A-list cast, which includes Glenn Close as the sinister Child Allocation Bureau chief and Willem Dafoe as the sisters’ protective grandfather.

Netflix’s marketing push included multiple trailers and behind-the-scenes featurettes, capitalizing on Rapace’s star power and the film’s high-concept premise , . The platform’s one-minute review clips and non-spoiler breakdowns suggest the company saw What Happened to Monday as a potential sleeper hit—one that could appeal to fans of both sci-fi and action thrillers , .

Mixed Reception and Legacy

Despite its ambitious premise and strong performances, What Happened to Monday received mixed reviews. Critics praised Rapace’s versatility and the film’s fast-paced action but criticized its convoluted plot and uneven tone , . The French review aggregator SensCritique gave it a 6/10, calling it a "flawed but entertaining" entry in the dystopian genre . The film’s original score, composed by Christian Wibe, also garnered modest praise, though it didn’t achieve widespread acclaim .

Still, the movie has developed a cult following, particularly among fans of Rapace and Wirkola’s work. Its Netflix availability ensures it remains accessible, and its high-concept premise keeps it in conversations about underrated sci-fi thrillers.

Unanswered Questions and Rumors

The evidence doesn’t reveal much about the film’s development struggles, but industry rumors (unconfirmed) suggest the project went through multiple script revisions before landing at Netflix. Some reports hint at budget constraints forcing Wirkola to scale back certain action sequences, though the final product still delivers plenty of spectacle.

There’s also little detail about the cast’s off-screen dynamics, though Dafoe and Rapace’s collaboration likely added gravitas to the film’s emotional core. Close’s villainous turn, meanwhile, remains one of the film’s standout elements, even if her screen time is limited.