Astounding! The Northman (2022) Review.

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It's been a long time since I have watched an old Norse-based movie. The last old Norse-based movie I watched was Outlander, a TV series. I didn't continue the series because I got bored but watching The Northman movie satisfied my cravings and refreshed my love for the Northern Germanic people, who are also referred to as Norsemen.

The Northman movie is a movie that is based on the Viking tale that inspired Shakespeare's Hamlet. It is also an American, adventure, epic, and historical film which was released on the 22nd of April 2022 featuring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, and other notable actors. This movie revolves around a Viking prince named Amleth whose father was brutally killed at a young age and when he became an adult, he went in search of his father's killer. I think the director of the movie (Robert Eggers) did a wonderful job with this movie regardless of what some people said that he didn't do well with the actors' costumes appearance which I will be explaining more below.

Little Synopsis Of The Movie

The Northman movie was set in the 800 AD time frame. It started with a king (Aurvandill) who had just arrived home because he had been far away from home with his overseas contest. He was welcomed home by his people, his queen (Gudrun), and his only heir, prince Amleth. After the ceremonial welcome, the king took his son, Amleth on a spiritual journey/ceremony to prepare him as his successor. During the spiritual ceremony, prince Amleth made a vow to his father that if he were to die by someone's hand, his death would be avenged by him and thus the vow was sealed with some sort of blood ritual.

The next day after the spiritual ceremony, Amleth and his father were heading home happily when a group of soldiers led by his uncle (Fjölnir) attacked them and brutally killed his father. Amleth witnessed how his father was killed and saw his mother kidnapped by his uncle's soldiers after which he ran for his life in a small boat, while he kept reciting the vow he made to his father the day before. Along the way, Amleth was rescued by a group of Vikings and they raised him as their own. They taught him their ways, and trained him in a combat band he grew to become one of them and the most feared Viking slayer.

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On a fateful day, when Amleth and his Viking group went to devour a village, he encountered a seer, who reminded him of the vow he made to his father and the gods when he was a boy. After the encounter, Amleth disguised himself as a slave to join the boat that will Ship off some slaves to Iceland where he heard that his uncle resides as a peasant shepherd after he had lost his father's kingdom to an outsider.

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Amleth promises to carry out his revenge to honor his father and also to rescue his mother who was taken years ago. Now the question you would want answers to are; Did Amleth succeed in his revenge quest? Did he give up anything to save his future generations? Did the quest for revenge lead to a bad road?. To answer these questions, please make time to watch this amazing movie to better understand the storyline.

My Opinion About The Movie

Watching this movie was a thrilling experience for me, I enjoyed every bit of it and also the movie covered a lot of aspects of Norse mythology. I think this movie needs more budget for the plot to be expanded because I think it was hurried. Then I thought, what if the movie was made into a short series would it have been better or will the plot-lines aim be destroyed? I can never know.

Talking about the critics some people laid down about the director was that the costumes for the actors were not properly portrayed. Well, when I saw the movie, I didn't see that failure there, but what I saw was amazing. The critics said the actors appeared neat, clean perfect, and white teeth which didn't portray the dressing or lifestyle of the Old Norsemen. I don't understand the critics because all the actors appeared dirty to me. The director did a good job with the setting of the movie, how he arranged the plot and left the viewers in suspense and twist. The scene design was amazing and the best I have seen in a long time.

The movie portrays well the mythological themes of the Old Norsemen culture; like visions, sorcery, the legend of Valkyries, Valhalla, and many more. The director did well to depict all the traditions and culture of the Northern Germanic people to remind people of the traditions and culture of the Norse people that haven't been done properly in the past twenty years or that seem to be forgotten. Also, the old ways of then (A.D) was well portrayed, the brutality, no value for women's life, mythical creatures, and war.

Another spectacular feature of this is that every scene was created with the reality of the Old days when life was cheap, fragile, and short. No scene was glamorized, it was real and uncompromising. All the actors also didn't pull back, they put in their best in each of the roles respectively. This is an epic movie that I would recommend for you to watch because of its art and the passionate work all the actors and crew put into the movie.

My favorite actor is Alexander Skarsgård. He is the reason why I watched the movie. I would give him the best performance. He blends well with his part as if he was born for the role. I always look forward to watching his Movies. My favorite scene in the movie was when he put his plans for revenge into motion. It was crazy, brutal, and raw and when a Valkyrie brought him back to life, that scene gave me the chills.

My Ratings And Recommendations

Rating this movie I will be giving it 4.5 stars because it is the best epic historical movie I have seen in a long while. The actors, I will give 4 stars because they all acted with passion and played their parts with zeal. Talking about the setting, the movie was filmed in North Ireland. Though some people think that the movie would also have done well in Iceland, I think Ireland was the best location for the movie.

I would recommend this movie to epic-historical movie lovers, and Viking movie lovers and I would also advise a 15 years old not to watch this movie because of the brutal killings, raw sex scenes, and vivid nude scenes. Young adults can watch the movie haha. This movie was worth watching. Take the time to watch and you won't be disappointed.

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All images are from the movie screenshots
[Poster image](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the Northman)

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20 comments
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5 years this has been happening to me, it started here, around people that are still here. Homeland security has done nothing at all, they are not here to protect us. Dont we pay them to stop shit like this? The NSA, CIA, FBI, Police and our Government has done nothing. Just like they did with the Havana Syndrome, nothing. Patriot Act my ass. The American government is completely incompetent. The NSA should be taken over by the military and contained Immediately for investigation. I bet we can get to the sources of V2K and RNM then. https://peakd.com/gangstalking/@acousticpulses/electronic-terrorism-and-gaslighting--if-you-downvote-this-post-you-are-part-of-the-problem

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5 years this has been happening to me, it started here, around people that are still here. Homeland security has done nothing at all, they are not here to protect us. Dont we pay them to stop shit like this? The NSA, CIA, FBI, Police and our Government has done nothing. Just like they did with the Havana Syndrome, nothing. Patriot Act my ass. The American government is completely incompetent. The NSA should be taken over by the military and contained Immediately for investigation. I bet we can get to the sources of V2K and RNM then. https://peakd.com/gangstalking/@acousticpulses/electronic-terrorism-and-gaslighting--if-you-downvote-this-post-you-are-part-of-the-problem

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The movie is brutal. I love Norse mythology and consuming anything Viking movies or series. Alexander Skarsgård looks amazing. OMG in the scene when they invade a village, he comes out with that amazing body. I wish I had that body, but I have to settle for my belly hahahahahaha.

I also liked Anya Taylor-Joy, I'm a fan of the actress because she is Latin American, she was born in Argentina. I don't understand the negative reviews, it's a story inspired by an ancient Norse legend that in turn inspired Shakespeare to write his play Hamlet.

The costumes and setting I believe are similar to the real costumes of the Vikings who protected themselves from the cold. Not like in the Vikings series where the actresses had leather costumes. I liked this story, besides showing some pagan rituals of that ancient culture. a good movie.

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Yes! I love Norse mythology too. Hence why I enjoyed this TV series,Vikings. Alexander sure did look good like he is aging with grace Hahah.

OMG in the scene when they invade a village, he comes out with that amazing body. I wish I had that body, but I have to settle for my belly hahahahahaha

That scene got my attention too. Like I didn't mind the dirt on his body 😂.

Anya Taylor-Joy did well, I loved how she played her part. Her courage,strength and smartness was absolutely amazing!.

You remember you always say that the movies that are criticized, are always the best. Those are the movies I like to watch since you told me that. Also their costumes were real, no remodel or glamour added to suit the celebrities. It bare and real.

I appreciate your comment and thank you for the support. A weekend well spent with The Northman movie 😊

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Norse Mythology is beautiful. The masculinity in it is so satisfying for me. It seems like an adaptation of Hamlet. I definitely have to check this one out.

!discovery 25

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It is actually the adaptation of Hamlet. Please do try check it out. You would enjoy. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your support

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This movie looks really awesome. I really don’t take the word of critics when choosing a movie. I have this movie on my to-watch list and it’s just a matter of time before I see it. I can’t wait.

Great post!

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Exactly, I agree. Critics on movie just advertise the movie more for me. You won't be disappointed. Happy watching when you do. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate.

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Talking about the critics some people laid down about the director was that the costumes for the actors were not properly portrayed.

most reviews are paid that's a reality that's why there are excellent movies with low ratings and marvel movies with high ratings, I hope to see this movie when it comes out on streaming

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Hahah I agree with you hence why I purposely look for low rated movies to watch, its like discovering a gem.

I hope you get to see the movie and enjoy it.

Thank you for your comment!

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I know nothing about Norse mythology the story behind this brutal film as it is undoubtedly one of the best I have seen all year and well it was not for less behind all this is the great (Robert Eggers) who has brought us other gems like The Lighthouse and The Witch is the perfect trinity. He stays true to his style and the cinematography is the best example as he subtly brings you into the story through cool colors and intense tones when he wants to convey a message.

I will be totally honest and tell you that I saw it without any expectations, just as I have seen his other projects and without reading or watching any trailer, it is like a ritual I have with this gentleman since the times I have followed it to the letter it has surprised me a world. I was left with two scenes that for me on a personal level represent the essence of the story he tells us one of them is when the character played by (Alexander Skarsgård) is in the mackerel with The Queen and has that intense conversation on what a truth can mean if it comes from that person you love with all your being and for whom you would give everything. Wow it left me looking sideways as I didn't imagine that twist and that at the beginning of the movie you can kind of predict where everything is going.

The other scene was when they reached the climax of the story and I was left with the thought that for pride and love you can lose your head and if you give everything and go towards that which makes your blood warm you can lose your heart. I enjoyed it a lot and I would watch it again without any problem and I can imagine what will become of this movie in the next 20 years.

Cheers! @esther-emmanuel

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Ah yes! Robert did a good job with The Witch movie. When I watched, I enjoyed it too. Also I agree with you on the scene where the queen had to tell her son the hard truth about his father. Amleth eyes showed how disappointed he was in his mother and the rarely sinked in at that moment.

In the next 20 years, I think the movie would be a classic and there might be reboot hahaha just saying. Thank you for your comment I truly appreciate.

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It is not a work of art, but it has its charm and I really hope that in 20 years the affection will be the same.

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I love Norse mythology do much. This movie was trending on Twitter yesterday and the reviews were bad. On your word, I'll check it out. You make it seem like a decent movie and that's enough motivation for me to watch it.

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Thank you for this review. It was a great read!
I absolutely ADORE Alexander Skarsgård, and he worked really hard to get into physical shape for this movie. I was meant to go see it in the movie theatre, but something came up so I had to miss it. But I will definitely watch it soon. Just at home hehe.

I just have one remark. It's not criticism because most people just don't know this.
The movie was filmed in Ireland, yes. However, parts of it were filmed in Co. Antrim & Down, which are in Northern Ireland (part of the UK). Other parts were filmed in Co. Donegal and Sligo, which is in the Republic of Ireland, or ROI (not part of the UK), which is theoretically in the North of the ROI. And you will hear some Irish say that Donegal is 'up north', but not very often. 'Up north' is usually Northern Ireland, and if they're talking about the Republic's Northern counties, like Donegal, they usually just refer to it as Donegal. The two can't be mixed up. It's like telling a Scotsman or an Irish man (one from the ROI) that they're English. I hope you don't mind me telling you this. Again, no criticism. 😊

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Ah yes... Amleth ... found him in the Encyclopedia Britannica and was astounded to know this was the source of Hamlet! Good to know someone else knows the story!