This week, the new Netflix documentary, Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, explores the romance between Norwegian Princess Martha Louise and Durek Verrett. Directed by the creator of Tiger King, the film seemingly paints a rosy picture of their heavily criticized relationship. While they present their challenges as a narrative of love and patience, there’s an element of glossiness that feels a bit too curated, almost like a PR stunt.
Key Points: Their connection blossomed through their shared spiritual interests. As the daughter of Norway’s king and queen, Martha was raised in a royal environment that, ideally, prioritized humility. She claims to possess “spiritual abilities,” which drew her to Durek, who identifies as an “alternative therapist” in Los Angeles, and has worked with prominent celebrities. He offers some rather vague advice about energy during a demonstration that leaves one questioning the credibility of his methods.
Martha finds herself enchanted by Durek, who initially keeps his distance. Eventually, he agrees to meet her, and they announce their relationship via Instagram, skipping any formal introductions to their teams. Some doubted Durek’s sexuality due to past relationships, yet he describes himself as “soul-sexual,” emphasizing a deep emotional connection. Their life together involves luxurious trips and flashy lifestyles. Martha is grateful for the anonymity she experiences in Los Angeles, unlike the situation in Norway, where she faces intense scrutiny, especially when Durek meets her family dressed in a flamboyant ensemble. It’s hard to deny the cultural clashes; he’s not just a stranger but someone who feels completely out of place.
Once their romance is public, the Norwegian media savage him, branding him a “quack” and hinting at dubious practices. Even if some critiques seem valid, the tabloids leverage their taxpayer-funded lifestyle to fuel controversy. Durek faces the brunt of media backlash, labeled a “deceit artist” by skeptical journalists—another instance of the royal family facing personal attacks masked as credible journalism.
As they plan their wedding, Martha contemplates a smaller ceremony, which seems wise. Durek, however, has bigger plans, seeking a grand celebration in the scenic fjords of Norway. Meanwhile, Durek reveals his health struggles, awaiting another kidney transplant after sharing his first experience. They later go through a painful separation, with Martha mentioning Durek’s struggles before revealing tragic news about his friend’s passing. It’s evident that they face real challenges, even if their love seems to overcome them—though, does it really?
What other films come to mind?: Rebel Royals feels reminiscent of past celebrity PR documentaries, where subjects maintain a polished image, similar to Pamela, a Love Story.
Performance worth noting: Durek comes off as a whimsical character in this Netflix portrayal, spouting eccentric ideas that easily lend themselves to memes.
Noteworthy dialogue: “It’s disgusting!” Durek exclaims, illustrating his discontent with Norwegian notions of humility.
Sex and Skin: None.
Our Take: If the goal was to humanize the subjects, Rebel Royals falls flat. The documentary feels more like an Instagram reel stretched into 95 minutes, only occasionally hinting at deeper issues like Durek’s past allegations and his commercial pursuits, yet failing to address them directly. There are numerous compelling angles to explore in their story, yet the director skims over most of them.
So, the film ends up portraying their life in the palace, drifting awkwardly between personal struggles and vague romantic ideals without adequate exploration of deeper questions. Why doesn’t Durek heal himself? Or why does Martha feel the need to neglect her royal duties? It’s almost as if the film operates under a veneer of authenticity while the true essence of their journey remains untouched, rendering Rebel Royals into a hollow narrative—more PR spin than genuine exploration.
Our Call: “Martha, how about marrying a space reptile?” Honestly, it’s not that hard to see the flaws. Skip it.
