From the visionary director of horror classics ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ comes Robert Eggers highly anticipated third feature film to hit the big screens, this time delving deep into an immersive action packed viking epic called ‘The Northman’. Based on the old Norse legend of Amleth, and the tale that inspired Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The Northman is a full blooded tale of retribution, following the young viking prince (Oscar Novak) on his quest to rescue his mother, Queen Gudrún (Nicole Kidman) and avenge his father, King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke), after witnessing his murder at the hands of his power hungry uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang). Amleth escapes to sea, sailing away from his now stolen homeland, rowing his boat, emotionally yelling over and over: 
“I will avenge you father, I will save you mother. I will kill you Fjölnir,  I will avenge you father, I will save you mother. I will kill you Fjölnir.” 
Years later, as the story stumbles into the early 10th century, We see a fully grown muscle bound viking beserker Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) adopted by a tribe that trains him to be a wolf like killing machine. His memory of his pass seems to be a forgotten one, now consumed with wreaking havoc, attacking villages, destroying homes and slaughtering the defenseless. It’s only when Amleth sees the prophet Seeress (Björk) who reminds him of his true mission, his vow…..“I will avenge you father, I will save you mother. I will kill you Fjölnir,  I will avenge you father, I will save you mother. I will kill you Fjölnir.” 

Now back on his path of vengeance, Amleth stows away on a ship bound for Iceland, Disguising himself as a slave, and manages to be sold to the house of Fjolnir, his uncles home. Where he meets the alluring Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), who falls for him and seeks to help him see his plan through to the very end. The Northman’s final chapter is beautifully shot and acted, with a few twists and turns from all the cast. You will find yourself fully immersed into this epic Viking tale of love, hate, violence and most of all family. 

By Shaz Salimian