Although Robert Eggers has only directed two films prior toThe Northman, he has already established himself as a filmmaker to watch. His attention to detail, casting choices, and ability to weave folklore into narrative have become signature elements in a budding career. Now, he is pulling back the curtain just a bit to show audiences what he can do on a slightly larger scale.
Based on the Scandinavian folk talethat inspired Shakespeare’sHamlet,The Northmantells the story of Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard), a Viking prince whose father King Aurvandil War-Raven (Ethan Hawke) is betrayed by his brother Fjölnir (Claes Bang), his land is overtaken, his mother is seemingly captured, and the young boy is thought dead. Fast-forward to many years later, and Amleth is a Viking raider that is more muscle than man. He pillages with a group of other Vikings and has proven himself to be a more-than-competent fighter. Still, his desire to kill his uncle and save his mother. As fate would have it, Amleth’s Viking exploits have offered him an opportunity to pose as a slave/worker on Fjölnir’s property and exact his revenge.
The Northmanis arguably Eggers’ most approachable film, but it is not without a deeper level of filmmaking. The narrative thrust of a revenge tale is easy to get invested in, but the film chooses to incorporate Norse myth into Amleth’s journey in a way that givesThe Northmana wholly unique style. It makes for a film that is not easily digested but one that is transfixing all the same.
Even in his early career, Eggers has set the bar very high when it comes to authenticity andThe Northmanis no exception. From the costumes to the sets, there is not a millimeter of the frame that doesn’t feel like Eggers made sure to put his stamp of approval on. Apart from the brutally violent revenge business, there is a lot of fascinating Scandinavian myth and history to pick up on in the film as well. WatchingSkarsgard exact his revengeis just the icing on the cake.
And be prepared,The Northmandoes not pull any punches when it comes to thebrutality of Viking life. Whether it’s the aforementioned violence, which is highlighted by fight sequences that value brute strength overpowering lesser opponents, or the treatment of slaves in Norway, there is an authenticity to every aspect of the film. Most importantly, it is neither flashy nor stylized in terms of how it depicts the violence, which is gory but never fetishistic.The Northman’s cinematography is incredible, mind you, but rarely in a way that feels outside the realm of realism. The interplay of shadow and light, the fog rolling through the Norwegian hills, and a particularly stunning backdrop towards the end of the film all serve to makeThe Northmana genuinely gorgeous film to look at.
With a singular quest for revenge at its center, The Northman puts a lot on the shoulders of Alexander Skarsgard. It’s lucky, then, that the actor has clearly put a lot of time and effort into his physique. He’s constantly hunched over as if the weight of his trapezius muscle is a burden to keep upright. Skarsgard has shown a willingness to commit to the diet and the training of a role, but here he goes the extra mile. Amleth is a primal character who regularly embodies the characteristics of a wolf, even going so far as to crawl around on all fours. It’s a role that is not what one would call glamorous, and the way Skarsgard commits to the character deserves a ton of praise.
Eggers has a knack for finding the right actors to fit his cast, andThe Northmanis packed with a lot of talent. Whether it is for smaller roles like Hawke’s or meatier ones like Amleth’s mother, Gudrun (Nicole Kidman), everyone is exceptional in the film. Alongside Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy deserves plenty of recognition for her role as Olga, a Slavic servant working for Fjölnir who develops a fondness for Amleth. At its core, the role may be the love interest, but Taylor-Joy commands the screen and goes toe-to-toe with the hulking Amleth.
If not for a somewhat claustrophobic sense of set design,The Northmancould very easily stand alongside some of the greatest historical epics of the last few decades. The story has the sense of a grand journey, but once Amleth ends up on Fjölnir’s settlement it feels a bit stuck. Only once the blood truly starts flying do things pick back up again, barreling towards a conclusion that is audacious and should stand the test of time as one of the best final showdowns in modern cinematic history.
The Northmanis the type of mid-tier budget historical epic that they don’t make enough of anymore. Its commitment to the authenticity and the brutality of the period is crucial in creating a sense of place and building audience investment. But then Robert Eggers throws a completely new layer on top of everything, with his obsessions with myth and his mesmerizing prose (co-written with Sjon). The movie does lean a bit towards the “weird” side, so some expecting a film more akin to a Ridley Scott picture will be put off by the primal nature of the movie. However, in terms of sheer ambition and a willingness to make something exciting and fresh,The Northmanis something spectacular.
The Northmanhits theaters June 18, 2025.
The Northman
Robert Eggers' The Northman adapts the ancient legend of Amleth, the basis for Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. When a young Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård) witnesses his uncle (Claes Bang) murdering his father (Ethan Hawke), he flees and swears revenge. Returning after years of honing his skills as a warrior, Amleth hunts his uncle in a bloody and brutal tale of revenge and retribution, hoping to rescue his mother (Nicole Kidman).
