Wolf at the Door: Who is Fenrir in God of War Ragnarok?

Bark at the Moon

While it’s not out on the streets just yet, (at least, not officially), Sony Santa Monica’s God of War Ragnarok looks set to be a smash hit, given its high fan fervor and impressive critical acclaim. The sequel to the iconic 2017 release will see Kratos and his growing son Atreus continue their incredible odyssey throughout the grim, violent, and disquietingly beautiful worlds of Norse mythology.

While the duo will meet some familiar faces on their quest, they will also be toeing the line with an array of all-new allies and enemies, some of which have only been referenced by name thus far. Case in point: the mighty Fenrir, who will stand opposed to our (anti?) heroes on their journey. But who is these lycanthropic God? and how do they fit in Norse mythology and the GoW universe?

In mythos, Fenrir, (or “Fenrisúlfr”) is one of the three offspring of Loki and Angerboda — destined to wreak death and havoc alongside his siblings Hel, the Goddess of Death, and Jörmungandr, the World Serpent. Bound at birth due to his terrifying and ferocious nature, Fenrir is foretold to be one of the agents of Ragnarok, destined to be the eater of The Sun and the destroyer of Odin during the cataclysmic event.

Despite being birthed by characters of the relatively human form, Fenrir is always depicted as a huge, terrifying wolf, incapable of self-control. It took the gods multiple attempts to subdue Fenrir, failing to bind him with multiple enchanted chains, before finally succeeding with the mythically created chain Gleipnir. Fenrir was eventually bound to a rock, but not before ripping the arm of the god Tyr. A sword was thrust into Fenrir’s jaw to prevent him from closing his mouth, and the mighty wolf was left there, to ponder on the chaos he would unleash with the coming of Ragnarok.

Fenrir makes an appearance in God of War Ragnarok, as teased in the trailer above. But, as for the part that they are to play in Kratos and Atreus’ journey, that remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure, the wolf-god has lived in bondage and agony for many, many moons, and woe betide anyone — God or Man — who stands between him and his destiny with Odin, The Sun, and Ragnarok itself.

God of War Ragnarok launches November 9 on PlayStation platforms.