The Northman

As a child, Prince Amleth watches his father fall to a sudden, brutal betrayal and sees his mother taken away by the king's treacherous brother. He escapes, raised in exile on cold seas and battlefields, and two decades later he returns as a hardened Viking driven by one goal. Amleth tracks the man who destroyed his family, moving through slaughtered villages, harsh alliances, and rituals that blur myth and reality. Along the way he meets figures who help and hinder him, and his single-minded quest raises questions about fate, honor, and how far someone will go for revenge.

Directed by Robert Eggers and drawing on material from Sjón and the medieval accounts of Saxo Grammaticus, the film premiered in 2022, notable for its period detail and immersive production design.

It earned solid, if not blockbuster, box office returns, appealing strongly to fans of historical epics and genre cinema rather than mainstream audiences.

The movie sparked conversation for its vivid visuals and intense set pieces, influencing interest in Viking-era storytelling and Norse imagery across media. Costuming, makeup, and dense, atmospheric cinematography have been widely shared and discussed online, and several scenes have become reference points for modern interpretations of Norse myth.

Critics gave generally positive reviews, reflected in a vote average around 7.0 out of 10, praising the commanding performances from Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, and Ethan Hawke. Reviewers highlighted Eggers' commitment to period authenticity and a raw, physical style of action. The film grapples with themes of vengeance, destiny, and the collision between pagan rites and incoming Christianity, balancing brutal spectacle with quieter moments of character and ritual.