A ‘modern masterpiece’ period drama that is said to be perfect for Vikings fans is now avilable on Netflix.
The Northman, now available on the platform from today (August 28), is a brutal historical epic. Originally released in 2022, this unique action thriller stands out from the rest.
Directed by renowned filmmaker Robert Eggers, known for The Lighthouse and later Nosferatu, he also co-wrote the script with Icelandic poet Sjón. Sjón has a longstanding creative partnership with singer Björk, who also features in the film.
The star-studded cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy and Willem Dafoe.
Like many of Eggers’ films, it draws inspiration from history, myths and even shares elements with Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The film’s synopsis reveals that it follows Prince Amleth (Skarsgård) who is on the brink of manhood when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle, who then kidnaps his mother. Two decades on, Amleth is a Viking raiding Slavic villages, reports the Mirror.
He encounters a seer who reminds him of his vow to save his mother, kill his uncle, and avenge his father.
The Northman was well-received by critics upon its cinema release, earning an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Empire magazine awarded it the full five stars, declaring: “This is intimate, culturally rich storytelling on a brutally epic scale. Skarsgård is in his element, bolstered by a sensational cast throwing themselves headfirst into Eggers and Sjón’s awe-inspiring vision. A cinematic saga worthy of the ancestors.”
Additional critics have lauded the director’s distinctive vision now on display, and with its availability on Netflix, it should provide an ideal introduction for those unfamiliar with Robert Eggers’ body of work. One review declared: “Epic, brutally violent, nuanced, and dreamlike, The Northman is a showcase for a unique directorial voice worth celebrating.”
Enthusiasts have also voiced their endorsements for the production, with one declaring: “The Northman is a modern masterpiece. The visualisation Robert Eggers gave us of an age ruled by brutality, pain and suffering, but also mystery, poetry and beauty is unmatched.”
Whilst some have proposed the film is ideal for admirers of the Vikings series, another viewer drew parallels with other fantasy epics and vengeance thrillers. They remarked: “I was enthralled by this film…the scenery, the cast, the brutality and the mystical Norse mythology.
“I’d best sum it up as a cross between Lord of the Rings meets Kill Bill, with maybe some Holy Grail moments thrown in!”
Meanwhile, another viewer remarked: “Though very gritty and gruesome, it’s what you would expect from a revenge story set in the Viking age. It immerses the viewer in the worldview of the people of that time period and how their mystical pre-Christian beliefs and experiences are entwined with their every day life.
“For me, Alexander Skarsgard is incredible in this role, conveying Amleth’s inner pain as well as the wild brute force of a Norse berserker.”
The Northman is streaming on Netflix.