Having been born in Sweden, actor Alexander Skarsgård was fascinated by Viking history and wanted to make a Viking-themed movie. Warner Bros attached him to a 2011 film called The Vanguard, which unfortunately never came to fruition. Fast forward to 2016, when filmmaker Robert Eggers went on vacation to Iceland with his wife, Alexandra Shaker. During the trip, Eggers met singer/songwriter Björk, who introduced him to writer/collaborator Sjón, who Eggers would reach out to later. In 2017, Eggers met Skarsgård to discuss future projects when the idea of a Viking-themed movie came up. Eggers announced the film in 2019, with Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, and Willem Dafoe in the cast. Filming was supposed to start in March 2020 but got delayed to August due to COVID-19. After lengthy post-production, The Northman premiered at the Rigoletto Cinema in March 2022 before a wide release that April.
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Synopsis
In AD 895, Prince Amleth (Oscar Novak) witnesses his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang) kill his father, King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke). In a state of panic, Amleth grabs a boat and rows away, swearing vengeance on his uncle. Years later, an adult Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) is part of a band of Vikings, pillaging and ravaging local towns. During a raid, Amleth encounters a Seeress (Björk), who tells Amleth that he’ll find vengeance and where to find Fjölnir. Amleth, posing as a slave, is taken to Fjölnir’s farm, where he sees his mother Gudrún (Nicole Kidman) married him. He also meets Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Slavic witch who becomes his lover and works with him to escape. Over time, they slowly pick off Fjölnir’s men and create paranoia around the farm, while Amleth gains favor with Fjölnir. Soon enough, he learns who Amleth is, and the final battle commences.
Review
People expecting something like Robert Eggers’ other work, The Witch or The Lighthouse, might be somewhat disappointed. Sure, The Northman doesn’t have the horror elements of those two movies, but it’s nonetheless a remarkable film. With a budget of around $70-$90 million, this is easily Eggers’ largest and most ambitious movie to date. Thankfully, the bigger budget doesn’t mean the qualities that made Eggers famous are diluted or dialed back. Like his two previous films, this one has an extraordinary, almost dreamlike quality that makes it feel other-worldly. Some people have compared this movie to Conan The Barbarian, but it’s not quite as bombastic as the 1982 epic. Sure, there’s plenty of action and brutal violence, but the film has a much slower pace and takes its time. This movie isn’t a straight-up action/adventure film but a methodical, suspenseful epic emphasizing story and character.
Like his previous efforts, Eggers’ direction is top-notch, and he makes excellent use of the Irish filming locations. Alexander Skarsgård is an absolute powerhouse playing Prince Amleth, bringing a quiet intensity to the role. While he doesn’t have much dialogue, his physique and glowering stare tell you he means business. Anya Taylor-Joy is captivating as a forest witch who seems inexplicably drawn to Amleth but is nonetheless loyal to him. Claes Bang works as the central antagonist, though there are moments of humanity where you almost sympathize with him. Perhaps the biggest stand-out is Nicole Kidman, who plays her part very deviously like she’s ready to betray her husband. While the story is a fairly simple revenge story, the acting, pacing, style, and action make it compelling. Overall, The Northman is another great film from Robert Eggers and easily one of the best movies of 2022.
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