“The Northman is certainly a lot of movie, and while its hysterical intensity at times veers into overwrought silliness, it’s both unstinting and exhilarating in its depiction of a culture ruled by the cycles of violence. The cohesion of Eggers’ vision commands admiration, as does the commitment of his collaborators, both in front of and behind the camera.” The Hollywood Reporter
“While narratively the film doesn’t stray too far away from other films in the same vein, its exploration of man’s thirst for revenge and the cycle of hatred adds a level of depth that Eggers previous films have not had. One complaint that some have had about Eggers’ work is that his films are often void of any emotion whatsoever. While The Northman is certainly cold, its protagonists are complex human beings for whom audiences can connect to on some level.” 84% Keith Loves Movies
” …Eggers is a perfectionist, both in terms of the era depicted and how he depicts it visually. Not a frame is wrong when he continues his rewarding collaboration with Oscar-nominated film photographer Jarin Blaschke. You are swept away by both the beautiful environmental images and the grotesque elements of violence […] The craftsmanship is impressive, as is his hand-picked ensemble.” 4/5 MovieZine [translated from Swedish]
” …you cannot help but sense a tug o’ war going on between what Eggers really appreciates here and what he has to do to keep a casual audience engaged while he pays his tributes. We really think what is driving Eggers here Is the old world religion and folklore, where he treats the old Norse gods with reverence and presents them with an astute attention to details hardly seen before.” Screen Anarchy
” …Eggers’s film is sometimes frustratingly shackled to the obligations of plot. It doesn’t lack for blood and guts, but it doesn’t play enough in the well of the weird, and missing here is that haunting sense of the elemental and oneness between people and place that animates The Witch and The Lighthouse.” 2.5/4 Slant
Release:
In the USA, Focus Features will release The Northman on April 22, 2022. In the UK, Universal Pictures will release the film on the same day.
Main cast and characters:
Alexander Skarsgård … Amleth
Anya Taylor-Joy
Willem Dafoe … Heimir the Fool
Nicole Kidman … Queen Gudrun
Ethan Hawke … King Horwendil
Ralph Ineson
Tadhg Murphy … Eirikr Blaze-Eye
Kate Dickie … Halldora the Pict
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson … Thorfinnr
Claes Bang … Fjölnir
Ian Whyte … The Warrior King
Ingvar Sigurdsson … The Sorcerer
Björk … Seeress
Gustav Lindh … Thorir
Olwen Fouéré … Ashildur Hofgythja
Murray McArthur … Hákon Iron-Beard
Jon Campling … Standard Bearer
Eldar Skar … Finnr
Phill Martin … Hallgrimr the Brow
Rebecca Ineson … Halla the Maiden
Seamus O’Hara … Audunn
Edgar Abram … Hersveinn Battle-Hard
Magne Osnes … Berserker Priest
Katie Pattinson … Shield Maiden
Lily Bird … Maiden King
Ian Gerard Whyte … Thorvaldr
Kevin Horsham … Völundur the Smith
Jack Walsh … Hallur Freymundur
Filming locations:
Ireland and Northern Ireland
Filming dates:
3rd August 2020 to December 2020.
Technical details:
Aspect ratio: 2.00: 1
Budget:
$60 million (estimated)
Trailer:
Red band trailer:
Clip 1:
Robert Eggers on The Northman and How theatrical release is his director’s cut:
