The Northman Review

The Northman Review

By: Irobun Igeihon

'Live always without fear, for your fate is set, and you cannot scape it.' These riveting words are the first of many in Robert Eggers' critically acclaimed film, The Northman. Eggers is the director, and co-writer, alongside Icelandic poet, novelist, and screenwriter, Sjón.

The Northman, Eggers' third film after two of his most notable horror films, "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse," follows the story of Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard) and his transformation into a ruthless Viking berserker seeking revenge after the loss of his would-be kingdom in the parts around Scandinavia.

This bloody Viking tale about a warrior's journey to avenge his father's death is one that has both accurate historical and mystifying tones to it, as well as visuals of old supernatural beliefs. In addition, the narrative has obvious connections to Shakespeare's Hamlet, where a young prince must avenge the death of his late father, the king of Denmark, by killing its usurper, his uncle.

The harsh idea of kill or be killed is a central theme throughout the film and acts as the chain that binds Amleth to the obligation to enact his plans for revenge. However, unlike the dark comedic fart jokes and the weird unexplainable mermaid encounters of The Lighthouse, Eggers' uses a more sinister and emotion-filled aesthetic through historically accurate ancient mythological beliefs.

The Vikings believed no higher honor exists than to die by the blade, be picked up by a Valkyrie, and carried to Valholl or Vallhalla to feast and drink with the gods until the final battle of Ragnarok against the demons and the giants. When young Amleth's father, King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), returns from the war badly injured, his near-death experience forces him to prepare his son for the possible bloodshed. They take part in a ritual with the jest known as Heimir The Fool (Willem Dafoe), possibly symbolizing Amleth's coming of age from boy to man. Depicted in the Northman is the historically accurate fact that Viking Berserkers believed in spirit animals and could harness their power. As seen in the Northman, they often participated in these rituals to transform into ruthless animals before a big fight. Eggers' historically accurate research truly worked to depict the Berserkers as truly feared warriors.

The Northman dabbles in the dark reality of men's patriarchal and misogynistic behavior. It's a film in which Eggers' and Sjón question and examine the place of women in Norse history and mythology. In one of The Northman's most exciting scenes, we see Amleth with a band of Vikings commanded by a woman, further demonstrating Eggers' ability to mix historical accuracy with female representation. The idea of Amleth's blind ambition for revenge along with toxic masculine heroism is an idea that begins to bring out his vulnerability in the film. Eventually, it hurts Olga (Anya-Taylor Joy), Amleth's love interest, on her quest for freedom and revenge.

This film truly excels in everything from cinematography to acting to writing. It's action-packed and informative for those interested in the amazing, fascinating world of the Vikings. Despite the questionable ending, the confusing, mystical, historical hints at the supernatural enhance this film, earning it 9 paws out of 10!

The Northman is in theaters now and streaming on some platforms.