The Viking Age. With a mind aflame with hate and revenge, Prince Amleth, the wronged son of King Aurvandill, heads to cold, windswept Iceland to retrieve what was stolen from him: a father, a mother, and a kingdom. He embarks on a murderous quest to find the hateful adversary, whose life is forever woven together with his by the threads of fate…

First of all a little warning: if you go into this movie expecting a classic Viking-epic, full of bloody battles, breathtaking landscapes and brave warriors, you will be disappointed. Because this is not the kind of story director Robert Eggers wants to tell. Instead, the “The Northman” adapts the Legend of Amleth, a Scandinavian folk tale that inspired William Shakespeare to write his famous tragedy of (almost) the same name. The story is less concerned with telling events in a realistic way and more with invoking specific emotions or atmosphere. This makes portions of the movie more akin to a fever dream, but also creates an quite moody and unique experience. For those of you who like surreal, raw and gruesome tales a la “The Lighthouse” this should be an ideal fit.