Film Review: The Northman

 Genre: Action / adventure / drama

Cert: 15 

Director: Robert Eggers

Screenwriter: Robert Eggers, Sjón 

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustav,  Lindh, Elliott Rose, Willem Dafoe, Phill Martin, Eldar Skar, Olwen Fouéré, Edgar Abram, Jack Gassmann, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Oscar Novak, Jack Walsh, Björk, Ian Whyte.

Running time: 2h 16m

Parents advised reading before viewing the film as some scenes may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: There are brief moments of sexual violence including women being pinned to the ground and women being chased and grabbed by men.

Rape is mentioned.

A woman reveals her vulvar area which is stained with menstrual blood in order to deter a man from raping her, but genitals are NOT seen.

There are sex scenes that feature buttock nudity and thrusting detail.

Non-graphic - breast, buttock (non-genital) - nudity is shown infrequently.

Violence & Gore: Multiple battle scenes containing grisly and grotesque imagery. Strong bloodshed throughout each fight.

Extreme blood and gore throughout.

There are several sequences of bloody violence with stabbings and decapitations.

A man is stabbed through the nose.

A man is seen falling to the ground with organs spilling from an open wound.

A brief glimpse of two mutilated bodies pinned to a hut is shown.

There are scenes in which children are killed.

The killing of a dog is implied.

A horse is decapitated.

There are scenes of threat.

A man is decapitated.

Profanity: strong

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: meed being drunk

Frightening/Intense Scenes: expect Viking violence throughout, sexual violence, and screaming, the supernatural element is actually pretty chilling. 

Story: From visionary director Robert Eggers comes to The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder.

Likes: The Northman is it any good? I would say yes, while there is something I would have changed about the film, but all in all yes it is a great film to watch that I actually didn't fall asleep through. It does feel like director Robert Eggers has done his homework on mythology and the Viking era pretty well, the costume design is perfect in showing a Viking era as well as the brutal side of combat of Berserker and village pillaging, which may upset some audiences just because of the sheer nature of it, is severely brutal as this film doesn't hold back. 

Alexander Skarsgård once again his screen presence as a muscle-bound man, similar to his Tarzan film, but this time playing the son of a Viking king who was brutal murder by his brother which is shown in the trailer does the amazing performance of a man thrust for vengeance, using the Berserker way to strike fear in his enemies which does come off as a man not to get in his way. The same goes with the rest of the cast all perfect performances. 

The film theme is perfectly done with a Shakespearean telling of a Viking myth of ancient times, with a supernatural element that actually gives off this psychological demonology creepiness that actually works for the film Viking witchcraft which I will say Björk's performance as Seeress truly gave me the creeps especial the supernatural elements they gave her really gave this psychological atmosphere that chills you to the bone, I loved it, it really added that Viking era mythology.

While the film doesn't have much action because it is more of a drama piece similar to hamlet, which may disappoint some viewers expecting a Viking film to be bloodthirst battles on a field of clashing shields and axes, which sadly this film is not, but the third act of the film does use the supernatural element in a way that it makes for an entertaining film toward the end.

yes, there are some moments of the film that add the gore and blood in a messy way but there are some areas of the film where they could've added more blood to the scene to make it look more Authentic when an ax hits someone or a sword is cut someone down, as there was much blood. while I would say that could've been added to the film, I welcome the slight Darksouls / demon souls element to the film, which I wish there was more of that, it was a good but short moment in the film, which I did have a chuckle with Alexander Skarsgård character because of what he did, which yea might have been childish to laugh at but it was funny at that moment because it was unexpected.  

would I call this a masterpiece, not really, just because the certification could have been a little higher, allow the film to be more brutal, but other than that yes this film is actually a good film, its much better than that slow boring, the watch film at the end of the day, so yes I actually like this film?

would I recommend it? looking at the film as a whole I can tell it's not a film for everyone, but it has more to do with your taste in films.

 

Dislikes: like I said the certification should have been higher and more bloody and brutal scenes could've been added but this film as a whole is good for what is done. 

Overall: creepy supernatural elements, good Viking era theme, music great. all-around great film. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 or entertainment / 9.4 out of 10 for Viking era theme.