The Northman

The Northman is an epic tale of murder, betrayal, revenge, love and hatred. Set in the Viking world, the movie is inarguably one of the best of 2022.

The Northman Plot Summary

The narrative concerns the Viking prince Amleth, who, as a child, fled his kingdom after his uncle Fjolnir murdered his father, Aurvandil. Amleth held great affection for his father, but his uncle killed him to seize the throne and took Amleth’s mother, Gudrun, as his wife. Amleth swore to avenge his father’s death and escaped in a boat, but not before disfiguring one of Fjolnir’s men by severing his nose. As Amleth matured, he became a formidable warrior and joined a group of Vikings who pillaged and plundered villages to acquire slaves. These Vikings had taken him in as a child when he fled his kingdom after his father’s murder. During one such raid on a slave town, Amleth encountered a witch who reminded him of his vow to avenge his father’s death and urged him to seek out his father’s killer on a distant island with a flowing volcano. She prophesied that his story would end there, and another would begin, that of a maiden king. She also informed him of a sword that would aid him in fulfilling his vow and instructed him to follow the tail of a fox.

Amleth endeavored to gather information about Fjolnir from his companions and discovered that he had earned the moniker “brotherless” after slaying his own kin. Regrettably, the kingdom he had committed fratricide for was subsequently seized by the king of Norway, leading to widespread derision and mockery of Fjolnir. Amleth learned of a group of slaves being dispatched to Fjolnir and, in a bid to infiltrate the island, disguised himself as one of them and boarded the vessel. During the voyage, Amleth encountered a young woman named Olga who astutely discerned his true identity. She advised him to conceal his guile and suppress his inner beast to avoid detection. Amleth recollected the witch’s prophecy and the solitary tear he had shed for his father, as well as the heinous murder of his father by Fjolnir and his cohorts. Amidst these recollections, he experienced visions from his childhood and beheld Olga, garbed regally and brimming with affection.

In the morning, they arrived at the island where Fjolnir resides with his men and family, and were promptly presented before him. While en route to Fjolnir’s farm, Olga inquired about Amleth’s origins, revealing that she hailed from Birch Forest. Amleth divulged the truth of his mission to seek vengeance. Subsequently, they were all brought before Fjolnir, who had aged considerably. Although Fjolnir failed to recognize Amleth, he was impressed by his physical prowess. Conversely, Fjolnir’s eldest son harbored animosity towards Amleth. Amleth introduced himself as Bjornulfr. Later that night, he surreptitiously explored the island, encountering a fox and discovering his mother living with his father’s murderer, who had also aged.

The slaves, including Amleth, are compelled to engage in arduous labor. Amleth, in particular, toils diligently to conceal his true identity. One fortuitous day, he seizes an opportunity to infiltrate the abode of Fjolnir and his family. Upon observing his mother’s offspring with the murderer of his father, he experiences a sense of disillusionment. Olga provides him with solace and implores him to safeguard her and locate her in the event of her disappearance. During the night, Amleth surreptitiously ventures out and encounters a fox. Pursuing the creature, he arrives at a cavern inhabited by a sorcerer. The sorcerer addresses him by his given name and invites him to sit. He divulges to Amleth the existence of a sword crafted from a rare form of iron that would enable him to vanquish his father’s killer. However, the sword can only be obtained on the night of a full moon. Amleth follows the sorcerer’s instructions and secures the sword, subsequently slaying the undead knight guarding it. The sword possesses a peculiar attribute in that it can only be unsheathed at night, rendering Amleth capable of defeating Fjolnir solely under the cover of darkness. He conceals the sword atop a rooftop.

On a certain day, during a sporting event held on the island, Fjolnir accompanied his entire camp to the field. The game in question was a violent one, akin to hockey, but played with bats and a larger ball, with both teams engaging in violent physical contact. As Fjolnir’s team began to lose, his exuberant younger son entered the game, only to fall to the ground and lose consciousness when a player from the opposing team pushed him down with the intent to harm him. Amleth intervened and saved the child from certain death, leading to their team’s eventual victory. Later that evening, Fjolnir’s elder son rewarded Amleth, informing him that he would never be a free man, but would be granted certain privileges and elevated above the other slaves. Additionally, he was given the freedom to choose any woman he desired, including Olga. Amleth accepted the offer and expressed his gratitude. The ensuing celebration saw Olga and Amleth engage in a physical relationship, during which he revealed his plans for revenge, set to commence the following night.

Currently, Amleth primarily assumes the role of overseeing the other slaves. One evening, he observes Fjolnir engaging in worship. Seizing the opportunity, Amleth draws his blade and proceeds to slay two of Fjolnir’s men. He proceeds to mutilate their bodies and displays their remains on the outer wall in the form of a horse. The following morning, Fjolnir’s eldest son expresses his anger and takes it out on Christian slaves, yet Amleth remains unsuspected. An elderly woman examines the mutilated bodies and concludes that the wounds were not inflicted by any earthly weapon. She suggests that a sacrifice be made to appease the spirit wielding the sword, which is believed to have committed the murders and prevent it from growing more wrathful.

Whilst the sacrifice was being prepared during the night, Amleth and the fox emitted distant howls. Fjolnir’s hunting dog, Rakki, became agitated upon hearing the howling and attacked Fjolnir, resulting in the animal’s death. A disturbance ensued, during which Amleth released the female slave who was intended for sacrifice. One of Fjolnir’s men was sacrificed that same night and hung upside down within the temple. Fjolnir perceived this as an act of trollish sorcery and commanded the slaves to guard the farm the following night. That night, more of Fjolnir’s men were killed, and Olga aided Amleth in gaining entry to Fjolnir’s residence through the roof. Amleth discovered his mother within their bedroom and was informed by her of the harsh truth that she never loved his father and had no sorrow for his death. Instead, she had an affinity for Fjolnir and had conspired with him to murder Aurvandil, Amleth’s father. Amleth also learned that his mother was not of noble birth. Overcome with anxiety, Amleth departed the room and confided in Olga regarding his mother’s revelation. He resolved to hide in the hills, as his true identity would soon be exposed once his mother divulged the truth. Amleth spared his mother’s life, as he could not bring himself to harm a woman, but he had slain Fjolnir’s eldest son, Thorir. Olga was instructed to remain prepared for escape the following night.

The following morning, Fjolnir was overcome with grief as he wept over the lifeless body of his eldest son, Thorir, whose heart had been extracted from his body. Gudrun advised Fjolnir to identify the slaves who had allied with Amleth. In a fit of frustration, Fjolnir executed three of his slaves, and when he was about to do the same to Olga, Amleth appeared with a small bag, feigning that it contained Thorir’s heart. Amleth proposed to return the heart to Fjolnir in exchange for Olga’s life. Olga fled as Fjolnir spared her and ordered his men to apprehend Amleth. Amleth was subsequently captured and subjected to torture. However, he had concealed Thorir’s heart, which left Fjolnir feeling disheartened. A group of ravens arrived at the barn where Amleth was suspended from a beam and proceeded to sever the rope with their beaks. Amleth prayed to Odin, and an elderly man with a staff appeared in the barn and observed him. Fjolnir cremated his son and then returned to the barn where Amleth was being held. Upon opening the door, they discovered that Amleth was no longer present. As they fled, a flock of ravens flew out, cawing harshly.

Olga has abducted Amleth. Upon awakening, she expresses her affection for him. Although Amleth has harbored animosity in his heart, he now experiences a degree of love. The duo proceeds to the seashore where they encounter a boat. The boat’s proprietor informs them that the voyage would last for 21 days. Olga discloses to Amleth that she is with child. Although Amleth is elated, he is aware that Fjolnir will pursue his offspring. Consequently, he entrusts Olga to the boatman, whom he endows with his father’s ring and instructs to transport her to his relatives' location. Amleth swims to the shore while Olga invokes a curse upon Fjolnir in Old Norse. That night, Amleth infiltrates his uncle’s encampment and systematically eliminates his soldiers. He subsequently slays the man whose nose he had severed during his childhood. After dispatching nearly all of his uncle’s men, Amleth proceeds to his mother’s bedroom, where he is confronted and attacked by her. In self-defense, he kills her. When Gudrun’s young son assaults him with a knife and stabs him in the back, Amleth retaliates by slaying his stepbrother.

Upon entering the room, Fjolnir was met with the tragic sight of his deceased wife and son. He proceeded to lift their lifeless bodies and subsequently informed Amleth of his intention to rendezvous with him at the gates of hell. Amleth, having released the slaves responsible for setting Fjolnir’s camp ablaze, embarked on a journey to the base of the volcano where the gates of hell were located. There, he was confronted with the harrowing scene of his mother and step brother’s corpses, as well as that of a decapitated horse. The volcano was in the midst of an eruption, with lava flowing from its depths. A confrontation between Amleth and Fjolnir ensued, culminating in Fjolnir’s decapitation and Amleth’s fatal wound inflicted by Fjolnir’s sword. As Fjolnir’s headless body fell to the ground, Amleth too succumbed to his injuries, experiencing visions of Olga and their two children. In his final moments, he was granted a glimpse of the afterlife, witnessing a Valkyrie carrying him on horseback to Valhalla.

Cast and Crew:-

Alexander Skarsgard

Alexander Skarsgard as Amleth, the prince whose father was murdered by his uncle. The story mainly follows Amleth’s revenge from his uncle.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman as queen Gudrun who is King Aurvandil’s wife but plots to kill him with his brother and then becomes his brother’s wife after Aurvandil’s death.

Claes Bang

Claes Bang as Fjolnir the brotherless who kills his brother and then takes his wife as his own but loses the kingdom to the King of Norway and escapes to an island with his family.

Anna Taylor-Joy

Anna Taylor-Joy as Olga of the Birch forest who later becomes Amleth’s love and the mother of his children.

Gustav Lindh

Gustav Lindh as Thorir, the elder son of Fjolnir and Gudrun.

Ethan hawke

Ethan Hawke as Amleth’s father War-Raven, King Aurvandil, who was murdered by his brother. His young son Amleth vows to revenge his death.

Bjork

Bjork as the witch who reminds Amleth of his vow to avenge his father’s death.

Willem Defoe

Willem Dafoe as Heimir the fool.

Oscar Novak as Young Amleth

Isadora BjarkaDottir Barney as Melkorka

Hafpor Julius Bjornsson as Thorfinnr Tooth-Gnasher

Murray McArthur as Hakon Ironbeard

Kevin Horsham as Volundur the Smith

Kate Dickie as Halldora

Ralph Ineson as captain Volodymyr

Elliott Roe as Gunnar

Eldar Skar as Finnr the nose-stub whose nose was chopped by young Amleth

Ian Gerard Whyte as Thorvaldr Giant Crusher

Ian Whyte as mound Dweller

Rebecca Ineson as Halla the Miaden

Katie Pattinson as Shield maiden

Invart Eggert Sigurdsson as the wizard who tells Amleth about the sword Night Blade and its location

Phill Martin as Hallgrimr Half Troll

Olwen Fouere as Asildur Hofgythja

Tadhg Murphy as Erikir Blaze-eye

Seamus O’Hara as Audunn the Irish

Jon Campling as Standard Bearer

Magne Osnes as Berserker Priest

Faoileann Cunninghum as Kormloth

Jack Walsh as Hallur Freymundur

James Harper Jones as Vasill

Jonas Lorentzen as Eysteinn

Other Actors

Chris Finlayson as Grani Battle-Screamer

Jack Jagodka

Robin Carolan

Joel Hicks

Helen Roche as Hofgythja

Eric Higgins

Sheila Flitton

Bill SKarsgard

The Northman is Directed by:

Robert Eggers

Written by:

Sjon & Robert Eggers

Produced by:

Lars Knudsen

Mark Huffam

Arnon Milchan

Executive producers:

Yariv Milchan

Michael Schaefer

Sam Hanson

Thomas Benski

Director of Photography

Jarin Blaschke

Production Designer:

Craig Lathrop

Film editor:

Louise Ford

Costume Designer:

Linda Muir

Visual Effects Supervisor:

Angela Barson

Music by:

Robin Carolan

Sebastian Gainsborough

Co-producer:

Francesca Cingolani

Casting by:

Kharmel Cochrane