The Northman

Director, Robert Eggers, has quickly become of the filmmakers to watch closely as they continue surprise audiences with bold and engaging films. With six directing credits to his name, The Northman is his third feature film and perhaps his most ambitious yet as he combines the scale of a historical blockbuster with some dark supernatural elements that were seen in his previous, more niche, films with The VVitch and The Lighthouse. There were reports that Eggers' initial vision didn't settle well with test audiences and he had to make a couple of painstaking changes to offer a more accessible, mainstream experience but the opportunity of a larger budget come at the sacrifice of final cut?

The Northman stars Alexander Skarsgård as a young Viking prince who is forced into hiding after his uncle murders his father and steals his mother as the kingdom is overthrown. Many years later, he catches word of his uncle's whereabouts and makes plans to finally have his revenge. With the exception of the Vikings TV series, the Norse warriors haven't had their share in films for many years if you exclude the direct-to-streaming 'content' which left the door wide open for a film like The Northman and Eggers does not disappoint in this tale of vengeance if you are willing to go along for the ride. 

Fully embracing Viking rituals and Norse mythology, The Northman is more than just a chiselled warrior seeking his bloody revenge and it is here where I can see the film dividing audiences. Some have likened the story to The Count of Monty Cristo and the end result is a thrilling experience even if it does does lull briefly in the middle. Just like The Lighthouse, there are moments that will throw some audiences off but this if you can accept a dream sequence involving a screaming Valkyrie then there is a refreshing film to be enjoyed here.

Meanwhile, Skarsgård probably gives one of his best and most committed performance in a role he had probably been waiting many years to play but Claes Bang, who plays the uncle, was the real surprise here. Nicole Kidman was also very good as the mother but I was left wanting more from Anya Taylor-Joy's character who might benefitted a little more development, or this could have been one of the victims from the cuts Eggers had to make for the studio. 

Despite whatever cuts Eggers had to make, The Northman is still a very distinctive film from this very fascinating director and it's great to see these kinds of historical adventures coming from someone other than Ridley Scott. The Northman is bold, bloody and inventive making for an experience I'm glad I saw in the cinema and would easily recommend.