REVIEW: The Northman

This is exactly the movie I expected it to be, and while it will probably end up being one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year—and rightfully so—it’s not my favorite.

Certainly an interesting watch filled with beautiful camerawork, strong performances and eye-popping violence, this movie just isn’t my taste.

Don’t get me wrong: What Robert Eggers does in this movie is incredible. The story is compelling and brutal; the characters, powerful; and the action, violent and visceral.

The acting in this film is absolutely stunning, led by the terrific Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy. They both elevate the movie in an indelible way, as does the performance by Claes Bang.

From a story standpoint, the plot line is basic, driven solely by deep human emotions and tendencies—namely vengeance and hate. When it leans into that, it’s excellent. But when it steps outside those bounds—established early on by the writing and directing choices—it falters.

The cinematography of this film is breathtaking, and the directing and choreography of all the fight scenes are top-of-their-class.

I think I will be in the minority on this movie, and I certainly hope that’s the case. There’s a lot to like here, but at the end of the day, the story just wasn’t for me—at least in terms of plans to watch it again. Even so, I don’t regret taking the time to see it.

The bottom line: Violent and visceral, it’s certainly worth taking the time to go watch. 7/10