This movie was just getting mediocre reviews (it had only been out for a day) when I decided to see it. I think I know why and I’m going to disagree with them. This film is about Norse legend and mythology, no less and no more. It is a bleak tale about a bleak period where honour was defined by vengeance and brutality was its bi-product. Our culture is not use to straight up Homer-esk tales of heroes and gods. Our culture likes its mythical heroes to be served with humour and wisecracks. This treatment is in dark contrast to that. It is, however, beautifully crafted. The locations are stunning in their natural beauty. The cinematography is intentional and captivating. The action sequences and the CGI are painstakingly real and truly brutal. The performances are faithful to the culture they inhabit. As is my custom, I did a quick exit poll of others leaving the theatre with me. The three people I spoke to each gave it a 9 out of 10. Nothing mediocre about those ratings. I agree and give this film a 9 (beautifully crafted) out of 10. [Heroic Mythology]

A bloody, epic, dark Viking saga. A look into a character who has lost his way despite their oath. A tale of trying to escape or fulfill ones fate and just how deeply entwined the spiritual was for people off this age. Hooked me for the full runtime, the story is simple but this let's the deep dive into the mysticism play out all the better. Other reviews here are simply wrong, its like they're reviewing something they expected to be Fast and Furious Vikings Edition. Eggers hits a perfect 3 movies for his directoral entry with The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman. Probably his most watchable for general audiences this really shouldn't be missed, the score is guttural, otherworldly and raw. The cinematography is sublime. The acting and character depth makes this feel all the more satisfying at it's climax. 9/10

I really wanted to love this movie, but it just didn't do it for me. There are a few great moments here, and the performances are undoubtedly very good. Lots of great shots, and I like the idea of what Eggers was going for. But in the end, it just felt... lacking. I liked the brutality and the often historically accurate feel of the movie at times, but even the best of the action sequences just didn't really do it for me. I feel as though the movie could easily have been 20 minutes shorter - I say this as someone who loves long movies, and I'm always more than happy to sit through even longer films than this one, but The Northman simply felt as though it was lacking in substance to justify the runtime. It certainly wasn't a bad movie, but no matter how much I tried to love it, I couldn't. If I had watched it on a small screen at home, I'd probably be giving it an even lower rating, but as it stands, I did think it was a decent cinema experience, and it certainly wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon.

"I will avenge you, Father! I will save you, Mother! I will kill you, Fjölnir!" Even though the Northman felt a little bit long it never bored me. The soundtrack, the visuals, Alexander Skarsgård performance as Amleth, Willem Dafoe is always a treat, the final fight near all the lava and I just love the viking mythology. Robert Eggers third film is another unique one and I just can't wait see what he has in store next. The Northman also showed me that I would like to see Alexander Skarsgård in more films. But I also realize if I would've watched this with some friends they won't think of it as highly as I do. I think the Northman is more a film for people who are really into movies. Maybe it could be one that offers them another experience and show them what movies can be. Maybe that will be an idea for when I get this on blu-ray. Watch it with some friends who usually watch Marvel or big action blockbusters and ask them what they think of it. I wonder...

I really don’t get how this is so highly rated. Found it quite boring and there is basically no character development. Based on what is probably a great ancient poem but they tried to half incorporate that kind of style so it just felt like … a cheap version of a Shakespeare play. Some shots were great but at the same time completely irrelevant and just made the movie unbearably long. Also: way too much random shouting RROOOAAARRRR UUUAAHHH GGRRRR OOUUUUUUUU 😅