THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Revenge can be a satisfying thing to achieve, but you don't always know if it is worth it before or afterwards.
PLOT
Inspired by Saxo Grammaticus' The Legend of Amleth, The Northman takes place in 895 AD and follows the story of Prince Amleth. As heir/son of King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke) who ruled Hrafnsey, he was destined ascend as a leader, overseen by the island's jester Heimir (Willem Dafoe) who sees that he must avenge his father if ever slain. That appears to happen as fate brought it because the morning after, Aurvandil's brother Fjolnir stages a palace coup against him and slays him in front of the prince. Amleth is able to escape death whereas his uncle take over the island and carry away his mother, Queen Gudrún. Years later as an adult, he would work with a band of vikings and become a stronger willed individual than when he left his home. After attacking a village, he is told by a Seerees (Björk) that it Odin's will for him to take revenge as he originally vowed and that his fate is intertwined with a maiden king. When he also hears word that Fjölnir lost the throne to a king from Norway, now living in Iceland as a sheep farmer, Amleth sneaks abroad a ship and poses as a slave to get there. Along the way, he encounters a Slavic slave named Olga who claims to be a sorceress. Upon arriving to the farm, he discovers that his mother has officially married Fjolnir and conceived his son Gunnar (Elliot Rose). On the first night, he encounters a he witch who gives him the chance to talk to Heimir in spirit who was also killed Fjölnir. The former jester tells him to claim the magical sword of Draugr, which he does after fighting an undead mound dweller. When returning to the farm, he hides it on a roof. During a game of knattleikr against another farm, he leaves a good impression towards his enemy by protecting Gunnar from harm. His adult son Thorir (Gustav Lindh) would reward him overseer duties and allow him to sleep with a woman of his liking. He chooses Olga and after they officiate their love for each other, they agree to overcome Fjölnir together. Another night, Amleth would kill many of his men after Olga mixes their food with hallucinogens. With the enemy expecting it to be Christian slaves, the prince takes the opportunity to reunite with his mother. However, things take a turn that was never thought to be made: Gudrún would confess that she begged Fjolnir to kill Aurvandil all along, hating how he forced her to marry him and have their son. Enraged of his mother's betrayal, he retaliates by stealing Thorir's heart by literally cutting it out which kills him. Once Fjolnir finds his body by morning, Gudrún quickly tells him that this was an action done by her firstborn thought to be dead. He almost returns the favor by killing Olga, but his nephew makes a deal to have her freed in exchange of returning the heart. After taking a severe beating and being found heartless, Amleth remains imprisoned by his uncle, until his restraints are released thanks to Odin's flock of ravens. Olga would also take part in rescuing him and by next morning, he would share his discovery. Feeling impossible for him to kill his mother as well as his half brother, he decides to flee with his love to Orkney Islands. However, Amleth would have a vision of Olga being pregnant with twins, one of which will be a maiden king as prophesied by the Seeress. Knowing that his future bloodline won't be safe as long as Fjölnir lives, he returns to Iceland alone to finish what was started. Upon return, he would free all the slaves and kill the remaining warriors. He would also kill Gurdún and Gunnar when they attack him first. When Fjölnir finds his family dead, he challenges his nephew to a duel to the death to the Gates of Hel, the volcano Hekla. Both men would reach the end of their lives during battle as Fjölnir would fatally stab Amleth just as he beheads him. The film would end with the dying prince have his last vision, seeing his children appear to be safe before he enters the gates of Valhalla.
THOUGHTS
When I hear about the next adventure movie, I always hope for the whole viewing experience and luckily, this one does just that. Director Robert Eggers floored me with this outstanding experience he created. The editing and cinematography go hand in hand to make every moment count, making you feel the whole story unfold. From moments like the village raid to duel at Hekla, I had a hard time keeping my jaw off the floor. And the visual effects were so effective I almost believed sorcery was real. I feel so attached to this one as of writing this because I am amazed of its way to tell how when stuck in a cycle of violence due to the desire of revenge, you will be stuck with the choice of either the kindness of your kin or the hatred towards your enemies. Either way, evil can still beget evil itself due to all the anger blurring a vision of peace. Amleth is the protagonist who is at that specific crossroads. Alex Skarsgård makes us fear him for the will he brings as a fighter, but you respect his devotion to succeed. His whole life, he vowed to avenge his loss, but the crossroads arises when he discovers the truth of his past. Nicole Kidman definitely fooled us in making Gudrún innocent, only to unravel as the manipulative mastermind the whole time out of hate towards something she never wanted. The 180 she does when revealing her intentions are shockingly great to behold. And when she maintains the menacing presence she had all along for the remainder of the story, it gets too easy to hate someone so sharp. Again, this is where it's tough for Amleth because he loved someone who never loved him back and would rather dispose of him. This revelation makes him confused on what he wants to do for himself. Before that decision comes around, things slowly line up for him for the better as he found love in an unexpected place. Anya Taylor Joy makes a memorable impression in the role of Olga for making her wit the greatest weapon on the battlefield. Seeing how easy it was for her to poison Fjölnir's men proves how brain can beat brawn with ease. Off of that, it becomes understanding that she and Amleth became such a match due to opposites react, as he is clearly brawn compared to her. With her life entering his life, he would've not decided to live for himself. He would've been at peace if choosing to move on, which is never easy for any protagonist, but he ultimately chose the hate for his enemies because he had one so formidable. Of course Gudrun is the mastermind, but that would've not been possible without her own set of brawn willing to do her bidding. Claes Bang is still able to make an impact by embracing Fjölnir as the ruthless viking this character has to be to be above everyone else. In one way, he has the qualities a good king would have but chooses to misuse them. He may look mellowed out, but he's the kind of man where you can't let age fool you since he was able to die killing his enemy. It was definitely a saddening moment when Amleth dies, but also brings sweet relief as we know along with him, his family would get to live peacefully. He accepted his destiny and it was worth it for him because his sacrifice can keep his children away from the cycle he was stuck in. And that makes him one of the most noble warriors Valhalla will ever welcome. This film was indeed worthwhile, but even one as good as this had moments that confused me deeply. Like for example, it was like Fjölnir and his men were blind as hell to not pursue Amleth before killing his brother. They could've chased him just as they were killing his father. It was not smart for them to wait. And is there really a difference between a wolf and a bear? Fjölnir threatened to Amleth if he were to be untrustworthy like a wolf. That makes no sense to me since bears would qualify among that rank as well. Also, how did no one notice Gunnar take off during the game? As much as that boy was stupid to try participating, the guards should've kept their eyes sharp on him. And was there really a point in keeping Amleth alive over a heart? There was no point in keeping him around if he was just gonna toy with him. Had he just killed him before Thorir's funeral, no raven would've saved him. That only reminds me how ridiculous it was to notice how no one kept guard on him before he got freed. Other than that, this movie remains thrilling. In short, The Northman is 2022's standout adventure film for being insanely atmospheric in its scope & scale. You want an adventure that can rock you? This'll do it for you.
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