The master of obscure period wildness returns with movie #3, and it is really something! Robert Eggers’ first two films, The Witch and The Lighthouse, shocked critics and audiences alike with their sheer vision of terror. Now, The Northman, despite having fewer horror elements, shows Eggers perfecting his craft thanks to his experience, a better budget, and an incredible list of collaborators.
Based on the Scandinavian legend of Amleth, from old Norse mythology and the direct inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the heir to the Viking throne searches for his uncle after a betrayal that took his father’s life.
Here are all the highlights of those involved - - -
The producer and lead actor of the film, Skarsgård apparently brought the idea to Eggers and they decided to collaborate. Though this is his first production credit, he is well-known for starring in films like Battleship, The Legend of Tarzan, and The Kill Team.
The lead actress of The Witch and, more recently, the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit has a great supporting role in the film.
The world-famous Icelandic musician has appeared in films before, but very infrequently. The most notable is Lars Von Trier’s Dancer In The Dark.
Claes Bang starred in Ruben Östlund’s The Square, which is a must-see Swedish film.
Iconic actor Ethan Hawke has been in some bad roles, but recently the Paul Schrader film First Reformed and the Showtime series The Good Lord Bird got critics talking about him again.
Blaschke also did cinematography for both of Eggers’ other films and was even nominated for an Academy Award for The Lighthouse. He will break into the big leagues even further with next year’s M. Night Shyamalan feature film Knock At The Cabin.
Skarsgård’s Big Little Lies co-star is another of the more experienced performers in the main cast, and her 21st-century roles continue to be great.
Writer and director of all three of his film credits, Eggers met with Skarsgård and then roped in his co-writer to start the production for this new film.
Carolan, the founder of the now-defunct label Tri Angle Records, collaborated with Vessel (Gainsborough) for an atmospheric score.
After being introduced by his frequent collaborator Björk, Icelandic poet Sjón wrote this film with Eggers, making it his second credit in two years following Valdimar Jóhannsson’s Lamb.
This veteran actor recently starred in The Lighthouse and the Vincent Van Gogh biopic At Eternity’s Gate.
The Northman is only in theaters! Go check it out now.