Ulfr was a character from the Norse mythology Netflix animated series, Twilight of the Gods. He was one among the core group fighting for Sigrid's revenge. "Ulfr" is Old Norse for "wolf" and he had the power to transform into one. Peter Stormare voiced Ulfr.
Biography[]
Ulfr gives his story to the Seid-Kona.
Ulfr was born a bastard and lived his life in darkness. At one point, he came upon a child who was endangered by a First Wolf, which he killed and skinned. He saved the child and gave them the wolf pelt, but it was cold. The child was cold and Ulfr was cold. The fire Ulfr built didn't help, so he took back the pelt and ate the child, becoming a wolf.[1]
"I live a bad life. I want to die better."—Ulfr, "Now Hear Of..."
Ulfr faces Sigrid's team.
Ulfr was captured by the Seid-Kona while committing such a black deed. She tamed him and he followed her. His confessions gave her power. When Sigrid came to the Seid-Kona to ask her to join her quest, the witch sent Ulfr in her place to show them his power. She offered her wolf, but she would join as well.
The First Wolves block the path.
Along their journey, Ulfr helped the group as a reliable ally. He knew the answer to the bog woman's riddle, allowing passage into Nidavellir,[2] supported the group in combat by blocking the chasing Bolverkrs with a large boulder,[3] and rescuing Hervor from Fafnir the Snow Dragon's grasp.[4] After fleeing the Vanir, they entered the territory of the First Wolves, who smelled their kin in Ulfr's pelt. The oldest law demanded Ulfr one fair boon from the wolves to honor their fallen kin, so they showed the group the way to the missing Leif on Ulfr's behalf.[5]
"I feared what was in me. In my skin. I held it back, but there is an old saying: 'Where you see a wolf's ears, expect a wolf.'"—Ulfr, "Song of Sigrid"
Ulfr unleashes his power.
When it came time for the final battle with the Aesir, Ulfr gave the Seid-Kona his last confession, from which she drew power. He supported his fellow fighters to take down the Aesir soldiers and the einherjar. He unleashed the power in his cursed pelt and took the shape of a First Wolf. His power and speed amplified, he tore through his enemies and bit into Thor. He was no match for the Lord of Storms, however, and was cut down by Thor's bladed hammer after stepping in to take a fatal blow in Sigrid's stead.[6]
Powers and abilities[]
Exceptional physiology: Ulfr had abnormal strength, agility, and durability beyond that of a typical human. He was easily able to leap and dodge around the battlefield to overwhelm his opponents as though he were a wild beast. He would run on all fours and keep up with his horse-mounted allies.
Combat technique: Unusual but devestating, Ulfr's beast-like fighting style was incredibly effective. He faced Sigrid, Leif, Hervor, and Egill simultaneously when they first met, and if not for the Seid-Kona stepping in, he may have killed them all. When others took up cursed weapons, Ulfr refused, yet even without god-killing iron, Ulfr was able to take on gods. He harmed Fafnir's thick dragon hide and killed Aesir soldiers.
Ulfr's werewolf form
Shapeshifting: Ulfr was able to let himself loose and transform into a werewolf-like creature, which further increased his physical abilities enough to tear through einherjar like paper and fight as a threat to Thor, taking a bite out of the god. His speed became nearly imperceptible and visible streams of magic flowed around his body while in this state.
Appearances[]
Norse origins[]
"Ulfr" translates to "wolf" from Old Norse. The ulfheðinn, also known as berserkers or wolf-warriors, were beast warriors that dressed in wolf pelts. They were said to be mad like hounds and fought in a beastly way, as though they'd lost their humanity. Even as they were harmed, they would continue fighting. Ulfr's dress and manner of fighting are consistent with the ulfheðinn, which likely inspired his character.
Úlfr Bjálfason, better known by the name of Kveldulf (Night-Wolf), was the first protagonist of Egil's Saga. Kveldulf was a Viking warrior who became a wolf at night. Though sharing his name and shapeshifting magic with Ulfr, the life he led was dramatically different from Ulfr's, so he may have influenced the character, but Ulfr isn't a representation of Kveldulf.
In the Völsunga Saga, Sigmund and his son Sinfjötli killed men wearing cursed wolf pelts. By donning the pelts, themselves, they became cursed to become wolves. This is very similar to Ulfr's apparent curse, though, in Ulfr's case, he killed and skinned the wolf rather than killing a man wearing its pelt.
References[]
- ↑ Eric Carrasco, Caitlin Parrish (writers) & Dave Hartman, Andrew Tamandl (directors). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 6, "Now Hear Of...."
- ↑ Caitlin Parrish (writer) & Jay Oliva (director). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 2, "Heretic Spear."
- ↑ Peter Aperlo (writer) & Tim Divar, Andrew Tamandl (directors). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 3, "You Will Gladden His Ravens."
- ↑ Eric Carrasco, Caitlin Parrish (writers) & Dave Hartman, Andrew Tamandl (directors). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 4, "The Worm."
- ↑ Peter Aperlo (writer) & Tim Divar, Andrew Tamandl (directors). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 5, "The Scapegoat God."
- ↑ Eric Carrasco (writer) & Zack Snyder (director). September 19, 2024. Twilight of the Gods episode 8, "Song of Sigrid."