Movie Review: The Northman

Alexander Skarsgård delivers a wholly remarkable performance as the lead in the new film, The Northman, from visionary director Robert Eggers.  

On the verge of manhood, Prince Amleth (Oscar Novak) witnesses his father’s (Ethan Hawke) murder at his uncle’s hand. Two decades later, a grown Amleth (Skarsgård), undertakes a quest to rescue his mother (Nicole Kidman) from his murderous uncle and avenge his father. 

Director Robert Eggers imbues all of the moodiness and artistic flourish he exhibited in his earlier films such as The Lighthouse (2019) and The Witch (2015). Written along with acclaimed Icelandic author Sjón, Eggers’ script is unrelenting in its portrayal of Amleth’s struggles and associated hardships. But what is refreshing is that it never feels as though Amleth’s sole purpose for existing is to exact revenge for his father. Instead, it plays as though he is more intent on trying to live some sort of a life of his own and avenging the death of his father would be more of a bonus should the opportunity present itself. 

Skarsgård holds the film together as the heroic Amleth and, though his story is one of sadness and, ultimately, revenge, the actor still keeps the character emotionally grounded as a lost soul searching for what should have been his place and purpose in life. Similarly, Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Amleth’s would-be paramour, Olga of the Birch Forest, allows the harder-edge of Amleth to soften and transform him into a true hero fighting for not only family, but love as well. 

Later, when Amleth learns that his mother, Queen Gudrún, is still alive and “with” his uncle, Amleth seeks to exact his revenge in total upon all those who have wronged him. In many aspects, the story plays as a retooling of the legend of “Beowulf” but there is something wholly unique and astonishing about the film on display here. 

Ethan Hawke in “The Northman.” © 2022 FOCUS FEATURES LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Jarin Blaschke’s cinematography expertly captures Craig Lathrop’s lavish production design and both bring the world of director Eggers’s vision to remarkable life. Unnerving, yet memorable, supporting performances from the likes of Willem Dafoe and Gustav Lindh only add to the depth of the world creation as no character or moment of the story comes across as wasted or trivial. 

While portions of Robert Eggers’ film may prove too graphic, intense, or perhaps lengthy for some viewers, the epic grandiosity of the story, coupled with Alexander Skarsgård’s astonishing portrayal of the film’s lead character make The Northman one of the best films of the year.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

@miketyrkus

Mike Tyrkus

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