The Northman is a unique take on the genre of tactical, cooperative board games. The game will be released in three separate parts: A standalone adventure that takes players through ten different scenarios with six playable characters from four different factions (The White Walkers, Wildlings, Freemen and Knights), an expansion pack to add new content both for those who have completed the single player campaign as well as for any newcomers wanting more scenarios or character options. Then finally there’s The Northmen Trilogy which includes two expansions containing six new scenarios each along with over 20 additional pieces.
THE NORTHMAN (REVIEW) (2022)
Reviews of films
The Northman, a dark and aesthetically fascinating epic set from the molten lake of fire at Hel’s gates to the freezing fjords of Norway, was released into cinemas this weekend. Robert Eggers’ dark – and some would say twisted – imagination gave birth to this sprawling Norse epic, which is based on old morality and mythology.
The Northman isn’t the story that the trailers lead you to assume. It’s a lot more visceral, brutal, graphic, and gripping than you may think. After his father’s treachery and death by his uncle Fjölnir, Amleth, a prince, is banished from his kingdom. This youthful prince transforms into a terrifying berserker warrior, bent on just one thing: the blood of his arch-enemy Fjölnir. The now-grown Amleth goes out to get his vengeance on Fjölnir at whatever cost, aided by a witch turned slave girl named Olga.
This lengthy story has several concepts, topics, and allegories. None, though, seems to be more emotional or prominent than Amleth’s battle with the beast inside. He was raised to be a monster, a ferocious beast ripping at the world around him in quest of blood as a berserker. Is it possible to tame the beast? Is it possible to tame it? The authors exhibit amazing restraint in following this topic subtly rather than outright, providing a rich and thought-provoking tale that the viewer must seek out for themselves.
All of this, when paired with a fantastic cast, amazing music, production design, and a level of literary brilliance unheard of in current Hollywood, results in an epic story for the ages. It deserves to be compared to films such as Braveheart, Gladiator, and Predator, cementing its position among the greats. It’s been a long time since Hollywood had the skill, or perhaps the will, to create such a gripping, thought-provoking, and driven story.
The film’s central theme is mysticism, which draws a thin line between what is real and what is imagined. The Northman never says definitively whether the gods of Norse mythology or the magic drawn from them are real forces in our world. They have an influence on the plot by inspiring the individual characters to be who they are, regardless of their veracity or tangibility.
The Northman’s morality is a convoluted and ambiguous idea; no character is entirely virtuous, and no one leaves the film undamaged by horrible crimes. They all have a spark of kindness, however, which adds to the story’s complexity. Modern civilization may look down on their culture’s barbarism at times, with human sacrifices and blood vows personifying the age, yet many people can’t help but admire and appreciate them and their culture for their basic ideals of honor, strength, and family. These ideals, however old and steeped in heinous crimes, are ones that our present civilization might immensely benefit from.
Aside from the excellent storytelling, The Northman’s technical aspects are almost faultless. The cinematography and shot arrangement create a lovely image of this nearly magical world where everything is possible. The editing and superb musical soundtrack both contribute to the film’s total immersion. Only a handful films have ever been so well-crafted in every way.
Although it seems that this picture must be universally adored, there are a few small problems to be critical of. All of these faults are also so tiny that they all fall under the category of nitpicking. A couple moments required a bit more breathing room to allow the effect of what had just happened to settle in before moving on to the next action or moment. A few moments of levity also don’t quite hit, since they don’t seem to mesh with the film’s overall tone. These instances are few and far between, scarcely detracting from the film’s overall pleasure. Despite these faults, The Northman can only be described as a technological marvel.
With a fantastic performance, Anya Taylor-Joy brings the driven and energetic Russian witch Olga to life. Anya is a gifted actress who has given a wide variety of roles. She brings this remarkable variety to Olga, showing a strong and independent woman who is on par with Amleth. In contrast to characters like Captain Marvel, Olga is a fantastic example of how Hollywood should write autonomous women. Olga is a formidable antagonist to Fjölnir and his family due to her strength and determination, as well as her feminine wiles.
Nicole Kidman plays Amleth’s mother with a weariness and guile that makes her intentions and tale simple to grasp. In his formative years, her love for Amleth sustains him through many tribulations, prompting him to return and rescue her no matter what. Their bond is important to the story, serving as the basis for Amleth’s development and objectives. Much of the film’s plot would disintegrate if Kidman’s great performance didn’t provide a clear and compelling understanding of their connection. Without her, the tale would be nothing more than a muddle.
Despite having a lot of screen time, Claes Bang’s Fjölnir is one of the film’s least developed characters. This is not the actor’s fault. Although not all villains must be complicated or fascinating, there is something missing from this one. It’s not a major fault, but giving him a bit more depth would have been beneficial. His intentions are obvious, but they aren’t explored out. The movie can’t determine whether he’s a caring and sympathetic father who honorably protects his family or a monster who rips the tongues out of people he despises. This struggle may have given him the depth he required to be a captivating character, but it comes off as inconsistent rather than deliberate since it wasn’t given the attention it needed to create this duality.
The whole supporting cast plays their roles to perfection, giving the world a ton of depth and personality. Despite barely appearing in the film for a few minutes, Ethan Hawke’s role has a significant influence on the plot. Ethan manages to carve out his own presence in the novel long after he’s gone, in addition to being Amleth’s major motive throughout the story.
William Dafoe is likewise just in the film for a few minutes, but he leaves an impression. He doesn’t have much of a personality beyond being an idiot, but he has a presence that is entirely due to Dafoe’s amazing skill. The remainder of the supporting cast performs an excellent job in their roles, doing precisely what is asked of them in order to advance the plot and drive the other characters. None of them, however, stand out to the point of being worth noticing.
To the casual observer, Alexander Skarsgrd’s Amleth may seem one-note and superficial, yet there is a depth to his performance that personifies his character. Skarsgrd portrays a damaged and determined man obsessed with the slogan that would decide his fate: “I will revenge you, father.” Mother, I’ll rescue you. Fjölnir, I’m going to murder you.” These three words catapult this little boy into manhood and turn him into a beast. Skarsgrd’s subtle choices convey the hatred, fury, and violence boiling inside this character, culminating in an extraordinarily gripping performance that cements his place among the greats. Skarsgrd is outstanding in this performance, convincing the viewer of his agony, lack of free agency, and great love for his mother.
The Northman is one of the greatest films I’ve seen in a long time, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It deserves to be considered a classic, but due to its specialized nature and intricate tale, it may not be able to cement its position in the hearts of the public.
8.5 for plot
8.5 for acting
Editing/Direction – 9
9 – Music/Sound
Themes (nine)
8.8
Great
The Northman is one of the greatest films I’ve seen in a long time, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It deserves to be considered a classic, but due to its specialized nature and intricate tale, it may not be able to cement its position in the hearts of the public.
