The Northman movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Northman

This brutal, violent tale is now playing in theaters nationwide.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 2 hours 17 minutes (This is director Robert Eggers’ longest movie.)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Dark Viking TV series are all the rage right now, but this movie takes the vicious time period even further. The story is about Prince Amleth, who is on the verge of becoming a man when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle, who then kidnaps the boy’s mother. The film is set in 914 C.E. during the settlement of Iceland before the establishment of the “Althing.” Two decades later, Amleth is now a Viking who’s on a mission to save his mother, kill his uncle and avenge his father. This blood-fest of a story is directed by Robert Eggers. He said he made the film he wanted to and doesn’t anticipate the need to ever release a director’s cut.

THINGS I LIKED:

The talented cast includes Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustav Lindh, and Willem Dafoe.
Alexander Skarsgard is fierce and more ripped than we’ve ever seen before. He helped come up with the idea for the film because he had always wanted to make a Viking movie. Nicole Kidman plays his mother in the movie even though she’s only 9 years older.
I love Anya Taylor-Joy in everything she does.
If you’re looking for lots of Viking action, here you go.
The movie features Viking lore and Norse mythology. If that’s something you like, here you go.
I got to visit Iceland for the first time just a few months ago! It is truly an epic land that makes for the perfect backdrop for this film. Filming took place there, as well as in Scotland, and Ukraine. One of the locations was so remote that they had to transport the cast via helicopter to get there.
The story of Amleth inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The movie feels like a retelling of that epic story, although it’s not, technically.
The costume design, props, and things like the dental markings are based on history and what we know about the early settlers of Iceland. Director Robert Eggers worked with literary scholars and an archaeologist, Neil Price, who said this movie might be the most accurate Viking movie ever made.
Ingvar Sigurdsson actually learned how to throat sing for his role as the He-Witch.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

This is definitely not a “fun” watch. While I recognize the artistry and realism of the film, all of the bloody violence just isn’t my cup of tea.
The movie takes itself extremely seriously.
I heard that the runic title cards aren’t actually accurate translations, but they do look cool.
I kind of got tired of watching all of the endless slaughter and anger.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This is not appropriate for children under 17.
Tons of bloody violence.
Crude gestures
You see a couple going at it in the distance (some skin and movements are shown)
You see some naked bodies running through the forest
Some old languages are spoken without subtitles.

THEMES:

Revenge
Family
Free will
Traditions
Hatred and anger

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“How easily we all become princesses again when the beasts take us for their wives.” – Queen Gudrun (Nicole Kidman)
“And shall you also enjoy the moment when you must choose between kindness for your kin or hate for your enemies?” – He-Witch
“My fate brought me to Iceland to carry out my quest of vengeance. But my fate did not ready me for finding you.” – Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard)
“Tomorrow, I shall finish my deeds in honor.” Only then will I discover if living is to my liking.” – Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard)