The Northman Surprises Audiences With It's Bizarre And Unflinchingly Brutal Form Of Storytelling

       It feels like it's becoming more of a rarity these days to find an old-fashioned midieval action drama given that the current slate of Hollywood films being generally franchise or comic book driven. In the case of The Northman, Robert Eggers latest Viking epic would've fit perfectly in the era which saw the likes of Gladiator, Troy, and 300 back in the mid 2000's, making it's release in a mostly entirely different cinematic landscape now appear even more remarkable given the bizarreness and esoteric aspect of the story. Directed by Eggers who previously helmed The Witch and The Lighthouse, the unique though skillful filmmaker delivers a bloody revenge epic that's visually breathtaking though unapologetically unconventional with the directors signature filmmaking style being proudly displayed here. 

      The Northman's plot centers around Prince turned viking Amleth (Alexander Skarsgard), seeking revenge on his uncle two decades after the killing of his father along with kidnapping his mother. Northman's story would be one that sounds compelling if not for the fact that its basically the same plot as Disney's The Lion King, except in live-action form with humans and far less kid friendly. However despite that glaring comparison, Eggers manages to place his own unique spin on the whole revenge concept while crafting an epic that's visually striking and well-acted, though doesn't shy away from surprising audiences with key bizarre moments which prove to be shockingly effective. Although his art house style of filmmaking won't please everybody and will leave audiences split on the approach he takes in telling the story, The Northman ultimately works as being a ferociously entertaining Viking epic.

      Regardless of how one feels about Eggers style of directing overall, he always manages to generate fantastic performances out of his main cast who show the utmost devotion to the stories he helms. Alexander Skarsgard gives a strong performance as vengeful Viking warrior prince Amleth, whose determined to avenge his father's murder. Skarsgard makes for a convincing lead with him relying more on his facial expressions to convey emotion and anger moreso than delivering excessive lines of dialogue. Along with Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman commands the screen with her untamed performance as Amleth's unhinged mother Queen Gudrun, whose taken hostage by her husband's brother after his murder. Claes Bang proves effective as Amleth's uncle Fjolnir the Brotherless who desires to take his brothers throne. Anya Taylor-Joy impresses as Slavic sorceress Olga of the Birch Forest with her skillful performance matching the intensity of the story. Other noteworthy performances include Ethan Hawke as Amleth's cousin and Fjolnir's elder son Thorir the Proud, Elliot Rose as Amleth's half brother Elliot, and Willem Dafoe in a brief role as Heimir the Fool. Overall, The Northman's cast is well-matched with everyone giving their all with playing their characters along with adding to the stories intensity. 

When it comes to Northman's style of directing, Eggers presents the story as being explicitly violent with intensely gory battle scenes involving severed heads, mutilated corpses, and a man ripping out another man's throat with his teeth. The stunning cinematography puts audiences in the stories ancient era with it being full of bloodshed along with being bathed in a monochrome moonlight type approach. As far as music goes, Northman's score is effective in giving the story a nightmarish feel with the use of midieval instruments, a choir, and band of percussionists. When it comes to pacing, the film has a slow buildup to what's expected to be an explosive climax that turns out to be softer than what was originally envisioned. On a visual note, Eggers delivers a world that's breathtaking with striking imagery including a weird climactic battle involving the two main characters fighting on top of a volcano wearing nothing but their underwear, or a gruesome raid sequence shown earlier in the film that's relentless in its brutality. With the violence, Eggers doesn't hold back and capitalizes on the stories graphic nature while simultaneously making it mesmerizing to watch.

      In terms of scriptwriting, The Northman's bolot plays out as being strictly a revenge story with little to nothing else going on outside of that. Themes including honor, murder, revenge, fate, and human sacrifice are emphasized here with an overall message ultimately saying that revenge is a brutal affair. Although the story bears remarkable similarity to The Lion King's such as the king being wrongfully murdered by his sibling who lusts for power with his heir running away for years then later returning for revenge. Northman's plot delivers surprise twists and turns with its story, particularly in its third act including a kiss which turns the story on its head along with changing the main heroes narrative going into the climactic duel. The violence is shown as being brutal though appropriate given the nature of the plot with the action often switching from one earthly battle full of mud and gore to strange yet supernatural sequences involving witches or Valkyries while all being connected to the same world. What's noteworthy about the screenplay for The Northman is how it attempts to subvert audiences expectations with twists and surprises which not only generate shock but prove to be effective without compromising the overall main narrative. 

      As uniquely told as The Northman's story appears to be, it's style for doing so isn't for everyone as it takes a more unconventional approach with its storytelling. It can also be stated that Robert Eggers work isn't catered towards mainstream audiences with its intended demographic being those who enjoy more experimental types of filmmaking. As a revenge tale, The Northman is a no-holds-barred Viking epic that's unapologetically brutal yet gives an honest depiction of Viking culture in a form that's perhaps more visually appealing than it is as a piece of storytelling. While the story may be lacking some power on that front, the fantastic performances delivered by its main cast as well as its unflinching style of filmmaking make it a bizarre, strikingly beautiful, and gruesome experience worth enduring. 

Final Verdict: Worth watching if one can stomach its unusual style of filmmaking.