THE NORTHMAN

4.5 out of 5 stars

There’s hell-raising of epic proportions in this blood-soaked tale of Viking vengeance that’s entrenched in unearthly Norse mythology. It’s magical, barbaric, and tremendously transportive as we watch a young Prince morph into a butchering beast with only three things on his mind: avenge his father (Ethan Hawke), save his mother (Nicole Kidman), and kill Fjölnir (Claes Bang). Co-starring Willem Dafoe, Björk, and Anya Taylor-Joy, there’s not a single performance that’s not captivating. Nevertheless, Alexander Skarsgård is on a whole other level in his portrayal of Amleth. His physicality alone is astonishing. He’s unleashed like never before, embodying a character whose heart is full of hate. Eating, sleeping, and breathing revenge does come at a wildly heavy price, though.

The frontline worldbuilding is breathtaking with the cinematography and score being all but consuming. And while it’s certainly true this is director Robert Eggers most accessible film to date – his utterly unique and ingenious vision hasn’t gone anywhere. Not in one single scene is it not oozing out. He takes us on an extraordinary exploration in not being able to escape one’s fate that’s volcanic and unforgiving; yet, still finds a way to be altogether morally ambiguous and undeniably spiritual. What The Northman possesses is stunning, undauntable, and unforgettable.

Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

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