The Northman

Is The Northman worth watching?

The Northman is worth watching if you want a revenge epic that treats its Viking setting as something brutal, spiritual and strange rather than merely decorative. Robert Eggers commits to the film's mythic atmosphere, while Alexander Skarsgård gives Amleth a powerful physical presence. It is not a light adventure, but viewers open to its darkness and symbolism will find a distinctive historical fantasy action film.

Why watch this movie?

The Northman is Robert Eggers's 2022 action, adventure and fantasy film about Prince Amleth, whose father is murdered by his uncle and whose mother is taken from him. Years later, Amleth returns as a Viking determined to save his mother, kill his uncle and avenge his father. Alexander Skarsgård leads the revenge story alongside Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke and Anya Taylor-Joy in a harsh, mythic world shaped by violence, ritual and fate.

Who should watch it?

Watch The Northman if you want a visually intense Viking revenge story with a serious, mythic tone. It is a natural choice for viewers interested in films like The Odyssey, Gladiator or Braveheart, especially if they prefer historical settings blended with fantasy and folklore. It is a standalone movie, so there is nothing to watch first. Expect brutal violence, disturbing imagery and a 137-minute runtime that gives the world and Amleth's mission room to develop.

Pros

• Robert Eggers creates a striking, immersive Viking world built around ritual and myth
• Alexander Skarsgård gives Amleth's revenge mission a physical and emotional intensity
• Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke and Anya Taylor-Joy strengthen the family conflict
• The action, adventure and fantasy elements serve one focused revenge narrative
• Its 137-minute runtime allows the film's atmosphere and moral tension to accumulate

Cons

• The film's violence and disturbing imagery may be too intense for some viewers
• Its mythic, stylized tone is less straightforward than a conventional historical action movie
• The revenge story is deliberately grim and offers little light relief
• The 137-minute runtime and dense atmosphere may feel slow to viewers seeking constant action

If you liked this movie

For movies like The Northman, try Gladiator and Braveheart for large-scale revenge and historical conflict, then watch The Green Knight for a more dreamlike mythic journey. The Last Duel and The Revenant also fit viewers who want harsh period worlds and revenge-driven drama, while The Odyssey is a natural companion for audiences drawn to ancient myth, long journeys and epic stakes.