A testosterone-filled visual masterpiece.
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Robert Eggers’ first big-budget larger than life spectacle is why prolific studios should always take a chance on the little guys. The proof is in the pudding.
No stranger to successful historical period films (The Witch, The Lighthouse), writer-director Eggers returns to the helm with The Northman – an epic historical film that follows Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out on a quest to avenge the murder of his father.
Based on the legend of Amleth, the film stars co-producer Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe.
You can tell that this film is truly a passion project of Skarsgård’s who delivered a performance so committed, it’s arguably his career’s best thus far. The film demanded range and he stood up to the challenge as a true Viking prince would.
Despite its hyper-masculinity, it also champions women by pairing Amleth with complex female characters – Queen Gudrun (Kidman), Olga (Taylor-Joy) and the Seeress (Björk) – all of whom play pivotal roles in the protagonist's life throughout the film.
Every inch of The Northman is a testament to everyone who had a hand in building this almost otherworldly film experience. From the breathtaking cinematography to the articulate set and costume designs, and haunting score, viewers will feel instantly pulled in and captivated for all of its 137-minute runtime.
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