The Northman

Robbert Eggers knows how to turn a thin story full of brutal Vikings and violence into an awesome viewing experience that stimulates all the senses. But those who think they will see the film version of the Netflix series Vikings will be disappointed. This is not a movie, this is a trip.

Can you take a good dose of violence, do you like Vikings and Norse mythology and do you like the idiosyncratic style of Robert Eggers who made The VVitch and The Lighthouse? Then you WANT to see The Northman with Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy. And in the bios.

You have those accessible average films that look great away, but which you quickly forget after seeing them. The happy meals so to speak. And you have very outspoken artistic films that stand out for their idiosyncratic style, have the ability to get under your skin and stay on your retina for a long time to come. Whether you like the movie or not. The Northman by Robert Eggers is definitely not a happy meal. It is a brutal revenge story, full of brutal people and brutal events. Don't let this put you off, because Eggers packs it in such a crushingly cool visual style and sound, with a strong cast, that you might just 'fun' ride this bloody, magical and testosterone-rich rollercoaster to the end. Just don't expect a movie version of Vikings, then you're wrong here. This is a Viking story the Eggers way.

"Avenge Father. Save mom. Kill Fjolnir'

The story, which Eggers based on a Norse legend, is paper thin. Young Viking prince Amleth sees his father Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke) murdered by his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang), his village destroyed and his mother Gudrún (Nicole Kidman) kidnapped. He barely escapes death himself and manages to flee through the water with one thought in his head: I avenge my father, save my mother and kill my uncle. The boy grows into the grown warrior Amleth (now the impressively muscular human tank Alexander Skarsgård) who is still bent on revenge . He gets that opportunity when his gang conquers a village and learns that the slaves (including Olga, pelted by Anya Taylor-Joy) are being transported to his uncle. Amleth disguises himself as a slave and manages to end up in the camp of Fjölnir and his mother. And then the revenge fest is on.

Stimulates all senses

The Northman isn't much more than that. Don't expect depth, major character developments, Romeo & Juliet-esque romances or characters that evoke emotion in you. The world of Amleth is one of darkness, absurd customs, testosterone and toxic macho behavior that will ultimately only lead to Valhalla (heaven for the great warriors). There is no room for vulnerability. Just for love. And yet Eggers manages to turn that thin story full of unsympathetic guests into a cool viewing experience that stimulates all the senses. Every frame - even the bloodiest - is a feast for the eyes, every sound hypnotic and penetrating. And everything about the customs, rituals and Norse mythology feels authentic, as far as I can say as a non-expert. You are emotionally completely transported to the 'Scandinavia' of the tenth century.

Could have been shorter

With a playing time of two hours and sixteen minutes, The Northman unfortunately takes too long. There are moments when the story pulls and the false endings towards the end of the film make the climax less grand than expected (although the two Vikings fighting naked are quite impressive, that is). And with a film that relies on one revenge mission, it is of course quite predictable. But the road there is a very unique one and the cast is sublime, especially when you consider the crazy one-liners they sometimes use ("You're sword is long"...). For that reason alone you would want to give the ambitious The Northman a chance. In the cinema, yes, that's where this trip comes into its own.

The Northman (2022)

Digit: 8.5

Action, Thriller, Drama, Magic

Duration: 2h, 16min

Directed by: Robert Eggers

Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Björk, Willem Dafoe, Claes Bang, Gustav Lindh