Robert Eggers has made three films in the last seven years, all centering on historical stories with a psychological spin. The Northman, being his third film to date, goes back to 915 A. D. where Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård, earlier played as a child by Oscar Novak) is revisited by his father King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), who is returning from his previous conquests. When Amleth’s uncle Fjölnir murders his father and kidnaps his mother, Amelth sets out on a lifelong quest for revenge, to avenge his father, save his mother, and kill his uncle.
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Eggers puts a spin on the revenge story by adding historical accuracy and supernatural elements that heighten the script to balance the mythology and folklore storytelling. This is a mythological Icelandic tale told like never before. It feels like an old tale passed down through the ages, accurately maintaining mystical happenings that occur as characters such as Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy) are introduced. The entire cast works seamlessly together and nails their roles perfectly.
The cinematography in The Northman is used in a way to create a dark folklore atmosphere. The darkness allows the violence in the film to remain brutal but without it appearing showy or vibrant in its display of blood and impalement by swords. Jarin Blaschke seems to have an amazing working partnership with Robert Eggers having done the cinematography for all of Eggers films so far.
Eggers maintains his style of filmmaking regardless of the film being a more big-budget studio film. All three of Eggers’s films, The Witch, The Lighthouse, and now The Northman, clearly was written and directed by someone with a clear direction, while also not being afraid to take risks. This movie shows what Eggers can achieve with a big budget while not sacrificing his vision and incredible talent when it comes to directing and writing. I am so excited to see what Eggers does next as he continues to be one of the best filmmakers working today.
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