The Northman is a dark, violent, myth-infused revenge story directed by Robert Eggers. Blending historical authenticity with Norse mythology, it focuses on one man’s lifelong quest to avenge his murdered father. The film’s brutal style and eerie mysticism make it one of the most striking cinematic interpretations of Viking culture in recent years.
Detailed Summary
The Fall of a King and the Birth of a Revenge
Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) is the young son of King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke). He is adored by his father and raised to believe that he will one day inherit the throne. However, when his father is brutally murdered by Amleth’s uncle, Fjölnir (Claes Bang), everything collapses. Fjölnir not only kills the king but also seizes the queen, Gudrún (Nicole Kidman). Amleth flees, repeating his life goal like a mantra: “I will avenge you father, I will save you mother, I will kill you Fjölnir.”
The Viking Berserker
Years later, Amleth has grown into a ferocious Viking warrior. He fights as a berserker raider, channeling the primal animal spirits that define Norse warfare. During a violent village raid, he encounters a mysterious seeress (Björk), who reveals that his destiny is coming. She reminds him that fate will lead him to his uncle, the stolen throne, and the vengeance he has awaited since childhood. Realizing his true purpose, he disguises himself as a slave and sails toward Fjölnir’s new home in Iceland.
The Farm of a Fallen King
Upon arrival, Amleth discovers that Fjölnir has lost the throne he stole and now rules only a small farmstead in a harsh Icelandic valley. Despite this, Amleth commits to his fate. He meets Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), a slave who possesses spiritual cunning and herbal knowledge. The two form a bond based on mutual survival and shared hatred for their oppressors. Together, they begin to strike at Fjölnir’s world, not through open battle, but through psychological torment and stealthy brutality.
The Truth About the Queen
Just as Amleth prepares to execute his vengeance, he learns a disturbing truth. Queen Gudrún confesses that she never loved Aurvandill, that their marriage was abusive, and that she asked Fjölnir to kill him. In a shocking reversal, she declares that she never wanted Amleth to live. This revelation fractures his belief in his mission but also confirms something deeply Norse: fate is cruel, and gods do not offer comfort. He must choose vengeance not for righteousness, but for destiny itself.
Movie Ending
The finale leads Amleth to his destined confrontation. After Gudrún attempts to kill him and he accidentally kills his mother and half-brother in self-defense, Amleth has a choice: escape to safety with Olga, who is carrying his twins, or return to finish the saga of blood. He chooses fate over love, believing that his children will live because he must die fulfilling his destiny.
Amleth returns to find Fjölnir waiting for him. The two meet at the base of a volcano, a hellish landscape illuminated with lava and smoke. Their final battle is brutal, primal, and inevitable. Amleth decapitates Fjölnir, but not before being fatally wounded. As he lays dying, he sees a vision of Valkyrie taking him to Valhalla, confirming that his sacrifice has fulfilled his fate. The story ends without mercy, without triumph, but with mythic transcendence.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits scenes in The Northman. The story ends definitively with Amleth’s mythic ascent, fitting its uncompromising tone.
Type of Movie
The Northman is a historically grounded Norse revenge epic that blends brutal realism with mystical folklore. It bridges the gap between archaeological accuracy and mythic storytelling.
Cast
- Alexander Skarsgård as Prince Amleth
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Olga of the Birch Forest
- Nicole Kidman as Queen Gudrún
- Claes Bang as Fjölnir the Brotherless
- Ethan Hawke as King Aurvandill War-Raven
- Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool
- Björk as The Seeress
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough, using historically inspired instruments and primal rhythmic chanting. The soundtrack plays a crucial role in immersing the viewer in an ancient atmosphere; rather than feeling like music, it feels like ritual.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
- Iceland (volcanic landscapes and Fjölnir’s farm)
- Northern Ireland (forest raids and Slavic villages)
- Ireland’s Atlantic coastline (stormy sea voyage visuals)
These locations reflect the harshness of Viking life. The rugged terrain not only provides realism but reinforces the film’s themes of fate, brutality, and survival amid unforgiving nature.
Awards and Nominations
While not a blockbuster awards contender, the film received recognition for its production design, authenticity, and cinematography, receiving multiple nominations across international critic associations and technical guilds.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Robert Eggers insisted on historical accuracy in language, costumes, and weapons, consulting archaeologists and Norse historians.
- Alexander Skarsgård trained extensively in Viking combat and insisted on performing intense physical scenes himself.
- Several rituals and chants were reconstructed using expert research into proto-Norse culture.
- Many set pieces were built physically, not digitally, to keep the film grounded in tactile realism.
- Eggers had actors perform scenes in extreme weather to capture harsh Norse life authentically.
Inspirations and References
The story of Amleth comes from a 10th-century Scandinavian legend, which later inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Eggers combines that original saga with archaeological evidence and Icelandic sagas, crafting a version truer to its violent origins than most retellings.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Some scenes depicting extended Nordic rituals and mythological visions were shortened for pacing. No alternate ending was developed, as Eggers insisted that Amleth’s fate could not change without betraying the story’s mythic structure.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is based on ancient saga material rather than a modern book. Unlike many adaptations, it remains faithful to the original Viking ethos, where vengeance is not a moral choice but a divine obligation, making its tone far more severe than Shakespeare’s later retelling.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Amleth’s initiation rite with Heimir and Aurvandill.
- The berserker ritual and raid sequence.
- The Seeress prophecy encounter.
- The volcano duel between Amleth and Fjölnir, one of the most visually striking sword fights in recent cinema.
Iconic Quotes
- “I will avenge you father, I will save you mother, I will kill you Fjölnir.”
- “Your strength breaks men’s bones. I have the cunning to break their minds.” – Olga
- “Fate is written in fire and blood.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Valkyrie’s braces reflect actual archaeological findings, not artistic fantasy.
- Amleth’s wolf-bear fighting style corresponds to real Norse berserker rituals.
- Runic inscriptions throughout the film translate to thematic statements about vengeance and death.
Trivia
- Eggers required Skarsgård to scream like an animal during combat training.
- The production team built a full Viking village, set ablaze during shooting.
- Björk’s costume contains materials sourced from traditional Icelandic garments.
Why Watch?
This film offers a raw, uncompromising look at Viking culture that avoids modern romanticism. It blends historical authenticity, ritualistic mysticism, and violent tragedy, delivering an experience both intellectually fascinating and brutally immersive.
Director’s Other Works
Recommended Films for Fans
- Gladiator (2000)
- Braveheart (1995)
- Valhalla Rising (2009)
- Hamlet (1996)
