Action fans rejoice as a ‘superb’ two-hour epic directed by Robert Eggers, who made The Lighthouse (2019) and Nosferatu (2024), is now available to stream for free. Eggers has amassed a cult following for his intense depictions, which often focus on themes of folklore, mythology and isolation, set within a dark subtext.
One prime example of this is his 2022 effort The Northman, which features a star-studded ensemble featuring Alexander Skarsgård, Willem Defae, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke and Björk. Its story sees a young Prince Amleth on the verge of becoming a man when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle, who then kidnaps Amleth’s mother, leading him on a winding path for revenge. The Northman, which Eggers also co-wrote, is based on the legend of Amleth, a 12th-century work from the medieval Danish text Gesta Danorum, written by historian and theologian Saxo Grammaticus.
Fans of The Northman, Eggers or revenge thrillers can now watch the film for free in the UK on Channel 4’s online streaming service after registering an account.
It has garnered a 90% score on film aggregator Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, which compiles reviews from close to 400 movie critics to rate the film.
“A bloody revenge epic and breathtaking visual marvel, The Northman finds filmmaker Robert Eggers expanding his scope without sacrificing any of his signature style,” Rotten Tomatoes summarises for the film.
Eggers’ work saw him receive a slew of award nominations for his directing, while Skarsgård, Taylor and Hawke earned award nods for their performances.
The Northman followed the director’s previous work, The Lighthouse, which also starred Willem Dafoe alongside Robert Patterson, which is loosely based on a true story which took place in 1801, involving an incident at the Smalls Lighthouse in Wales where two keepers, Thomas Howell and Thomas Griffith, were stranded by a storm and the grisly events that followed.
Verified film reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes, Brennan, commented on The Northman: “Directing, acting and script: all superb!”
Meanwhile, in another five-star review, user Ian R likened the movie to popular TV series, Vikings, writing: “Liked this much more the second time around, when you first watch it and expect a Vikings bloodbath like the TV show you will be let down, when you know the main point of the film is revenge and watch it without the expectation of a ton of bloody battles you see it for what it is.
“Wonderfully shot Viking Epic. Loved it, it felt realistic and primal.”
And another Rotten Tomatoes user added: “One of the very few movies that I actually bought on DVD. 10/10 recommend.”
The film will be available to watch on Channel 4’s website, with ads, until late September.