Robert Eggers and mystical folklore tales is a love affair that must never end. ‘The Northman’ is the latest cinematic marvel born out of this partnership that we will cover in this Northman review. It stars Alexander Skarsgard as Amleth, a prince in exile plotting revenge against his uncle condemned by the Norns of Fate to complete his pledge of avenging his father. Other stars attached to the film include Anya Taylor Joy, Claes Bang, and Nicole Kidman.
Much like his previous venture ‘The Lighthouse,’ Eggers creates an immersive experience that has all the makings of a classic. All film components – light, sound, and story – in ‘The Northman’ are drenched in Viking flavor. Eggers nails his beautiful and meticulous details, vividly bringing out the legends of the culture he represents. Read our review of ‘The Northman’ below to know more about the themes and plot.
The Northman Review: Plot and Story
King Aurvandil, the great leader of Hrafnseyri, is killed by his brother, Fjoolnir. He also takes Aurvandil’s wife, Queen Gudrun, captive. Fjoolnir orders his men to kill Aurvandil’s only son, Amleth, but the little boy escapes. Fjoolnir’s men report that Amleth has died to put him at ease. Years later, Amleth faces his prophecy of a Maiden-King again when a seeress at a burnt village’s temple reminds him of his fate.
Amleth learns that Fjoolnir has lost the kingdom and lives with Gudrun and their sons on a farm in Iceland. He poses as an enslaved person and strikes a friendship with Olga, a Slav sorceress. Then begins his journey of redemption, guided by his father in the form of a raven.
The Northman Review: Themes and Analysis
The prominent theme that throws the plot of ‘The Northman’ in action is the choice between vengeance and making a new start. Amleth faces this confrontation while on the ship with Olga. The two have successfully escaped Fjoolnir’s men. But despite that, Amleth decides to pursue his destiny. The excuse he makes is that Fjoolnir will not stop coming after them when he learns that Olga is pregnant.
His desire for Vallhalla is based on his pledge to the Gods. Eggers remarkably uses the wasteful nature of vengeance by using tools like showing the Valkyrie opening the gates of heaven to assist Amleth. ‘The Northman’ marks the second instance of a filmmaker using a subject from folklore to explore human emotions after David Lowery did it with ‘The Green Knight’ last year.
The Northman to watch: Yay or Nay?
I would refrain from saying that ‘The Northman’ is an absolute “yay” for everyone. If you do not like period-historical films that are dedicated to life or death in the context of the setting, the movie is not for you. If you are not perverse to long-drawn, culturally authentic representations of folklores that seem immaculately foreign, this movie is not for you.
The considerations that one must keep in mind before watching it are that of one’s liking of Eggers’ style. But, if you watch the film because you saw Eggers’ name as the director, ‘The Northman’ will be one of the best cinematic experiences you have seen all year.
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