The Northman Review: Robert Eggers’ Brutal Viking Epic – A Masterpiece That Divided Audiences

Robert Eggers’ The Northman (2022) is one of the most ambitious and uncompromising Viking films ever made. Starring Alexander Skarsgård as the relentless warrior Amleth, the movie is a raw, bloody, and visually breathtaking revenge saga inspired by the same Norse legend that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

From its opening scenes of ritual and prophecy to its savage final duel on a volcanic island, The Northman immerses you completely in the harsh, pagan world of 10th-century Scandinavia. Eggers, known for his obsessive attention to historical detail in The Witch and The Lighthouse, delivers his biggest and most cinematic film yet.Critical Acclaim vs. Box Office RealityCritically, The Northman was a major success. It holds a strong 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.7/10, and an 82/100 on Metacritic, indicating “universal acclaim.” Critics praised its stunning cinematography, intense performances (especially Skarsgård’s physical transformation and Nicole Kidman’s chilling turn as Queen Gudrún), and Eggers’ uncompromising vision.However, it was not a commercial hit. With a budget estimated between $70–90 million, the film grossed only about $70 million worldwide at the box office, making it an underperformer in theaters. It later found stronger success on VOD and home media.Awards-wise, The Northman received several nominations, particularly in genre categories (Saturn Awards) and for technical achievements like cinematography, but it was notably shut out of major Oscar nominations despite early buzz.In short: A critical darling that struggled to find a wide mainstream audience — a common fate for bold, uncompromising historical epics.A Visceral Pagan WorldWhat makes The Northman special is its commitment to authenticity. Eggers portrays Viking society not as romanticized heroes, but as a brutal, superstitious, and fate-driven culture filled with blood feuds, human sacrifice, shamanic rituals, and Odinic frenzy. The film is drenched in Norse mythology — ravens, Valkyries, Norns, and prophecies shape every decision.Alexander Skarsgård delivers a towering performance as Amleth, a man consumed by his vow of vengeance: “I will avenge you, Father. I will save you, Mother. I will kill you, Fjölnir.” The supporting cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk, adds layers of mysticism and madness.The film is not easy viewing. It is extremely violent, dark, and at times deliberately unsettling. But for those who can handle it, it offers a rare, immersive glimpse into the pre-Christian Norse mindset.Was Christianity Good for the Scandinavians? Did It “Civilize” Them?The Northman barely mentions Christianity (there’s one brief, dismissive reference to the “crucified corpse” worshipped by Christians), but the film invites the bigger historical question: Was the conversion of Scandinavia to Christianity a civilizing force, or did it destroy a noble pagan culture?Historically, the Vikings were not mindless barbarians, but they operated in a harsh world of blood revenge, slavery, human sacrifice, and constant tribal warfare. Their pagan religion emphasized fate (wyrd), glory in battle, and an afterlife earned through heroic death — a worldview perfectly captured in Amleth’s relentless quest.Christianity’s arrival in Scandinavia (gradually from the 9th to 11th centuries) brought significant changes:Positive impacts:

• It helped end the most brutal aspects of pagan practice, such as widespread human sacrifice and blood feuds.
• It supported the centralization of power under kings, leading to more stable kingdoms (Denmark, Norway, Sweden).
• Literacy, written law codes, and institutions like churches and monasteries spread.
• It integrated Scandinavia into wider European trade, diplomacy, and culture, ending the isolation of the Viking Age.

Negative or complex impacts:

• It suppressed rich pagan traditions, mythology, and spiritual practices.
• Conversion was often driven by political calculation and pressure from Christian Europe rather than pure spiritual conviction.
• Many early Christian Scandinavians blended the two faiths (syncretism), still wearing Thor’s hammers alongside crosses.

The Northman subtly suggests that the old pagan way — honor, revenge, strength, and fate — was brutal but honest. The cycle of violence in the film feels endless and almost mythical. Christianity eventually brought a new moral framework centered on forgiveness, mercy, and turning the other cheek — values that directly challenge the Viking code of honor.Whether this was “civilizing” depends on your perspective. It certainly tamed some of the savagery and helped build the foundations of modern Scandinavian societies, known today for peace, welfare, and order. But it also replaced one harsh system with another — one that imposed new forms of control through the Church.Eggers seems more interested in showing the raw power and poetry of the pagan world than in judging it. In that sense, The Northman stands as a powerful elegy for a dying way of life.Final VerdictThe Northman is a flawed but brilliant film — a bloody, mystical, and visually astonishing revenge epic that refuses to hold your hand. It’s not for everyone (the violence and bleak tone are intense), but for fans of historical cinema and Norse culture, it’s essential viewing.Robert Eggers has proven once again that he is one of the most original directors working today. While it didn’t conquer the box office, The Northman has grown in reputation and deserves to be seen as a modern cult classic.Rating: 8.5/10Have you seen The Northman? Do you think Christianity ultimately helped or harmed Scandinavian civilization? Was the pagan Viking world more “honest” in its brutality? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!