Movie Review ‘The Northman’ ticks all the boxes

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

A young prince destined for greatness has his future stolen from him. His enraged uncle kills the prince’s noble father, and holds his mother against her will. The prince escapes and ventures into the wilderness as his uncle holds his rightful throne. Years later, older and stronger, the prince returns to take what is rightfully his. It’s not the Lion King. It’s not Hamlet. It’s the story of The Northman. You may have heard it before, but I can promise you’ve never seen it quite like this.

Familiar as the story may be, The Northman takes the told tale and tells it with a distinct and arresting style. The attention to detail alone will evoke awe and demand your attention. Each article of clothing is teeming with history. Time travel may not be possible, but at the movies it is. The film is so thorough in its presentation of Viking culture, it feels like a window into the past.

It strives for authenticity and extends that to its brutal violence. Alexander Skarsgård’s Amleth becomes more beast than man as his quest for vengeance sets him on a path of savagery. The film is full of imagery that will never leave you, mostly as you ponder what sick and twisted mind thought them up. It’s safe to say that The Northman is not for the faint of heart, but it’s without a doubt one of the most captivating films I’ve seen in a while.

What’s especially challenging about the film is its dubious morality. The movie gives you Amleth’s perspective and presents his quest as honouring his father’s legacy. Yet as a protagonist, Amleth is as unvirtuous as they come. There’s a point in which you’re hard-pressed to root for him, which is just about the point when you realise the film has no heroes. There’s no good or evil, just conquest and carnage.

The Northman is a film that ticks off all the boxes. From costume design to cinematography, down to its well-paced script and immersive performances, it’s a movie that transports you to a terrible time period. At times casting it in a loving light, but never shying away from its gruesome reality. While your senses may be overwhelmed, the simple story anchors the film throughout its incredible visuals. It’s simply a cinematic experience like no other.

Rating: G.O.A.T