In his third major film, and biggest-budgeted so far, Eggers has established a clear style that gives us a film that is rich in (old) language and immersed in period detail, opening with a suitably wintry palette punctuated by bursts of warm firelight and bringing the director's distinctive energy and commitment to this bleak Norse tale. Like The Witch and The Lighthouse, this film is also challenging, ambitious and pleasingly off-kilter, with the director completely in control of both his vision and of the viewers' experience. At heart this is a simple if lengthy revenge story, told with indulgent theatrical flourishes (visions and mystics play a strong part here) that punctuate the generally gritty naturalism created. Alexander Skarsgard powers through the story as the man-mountain adult Asleth out to avenge the killing of his father by his uncle and seeking to rescue his mother, with notable supporting performances from Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman and especially Claes Bang as Asleth's uncle. In spite of its budget, The Northman remains more art-house than mainstream that will not be to everyone's taste but again shows Eggers to be a creative and intriguing film-maker.
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