Prime Video has several acclaimed films that were released in recent years. One of them is The Northman, a true gem, which ended up not attracting many to the cinema – although it is one of the best films of the last 5 years.
The Northman arrived in theaters in 2022, directed by Robert Eggers. The filmmaker is best known for helming acclaimed horror films such as The Witch and The Lighthouse.
A success among specialized critics, the film has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Even though it was disappointing at the box office, The Northman became an undeniable success on streaming platforms.
Below, we show you everything you need to know about the epic plot and all-star cast of The Man from the North; check out!
The Northman has a violent story set in the Viking era
Described as an “epic action thriller”, The Northman is based on the legend of Amleth, an iconic character from Scandinavian legends.
The legend of Amleth was William Shakespeare’s main inspiration for creating the play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, one of the playwright’s most famous.
“From visionary director Robert Eggers comes The Man from the North, an epic action-packed film that follows a young Viking prince on his journey to avenge the murder of his father,” reads the official synopsis for The Man from the North.
As the description indicates, the film adopts a very simple premise, masterfully executed by Robert Eggers.
Set in the Age of the Vikings, The Northman tells the story of Amleth, a young prince who travels to freezing Iceland to avenge his father’s death and recover what was stolen from him: his kingdom, his mother and his throne.
The prince, from then on, embarks on a violent journey in search of revenge against his uncle Fjölnir – a cruel and ambitious man, willing to do anything to remain in power.
Highly influenced by Norse mythology, The Man in the North brings elements that will be immediately recognized by fans of the Vikings series.
The film’s biggest difference is how it mixes fantasy and reality, mixing the two in such a way that we don’t know if the mythological part is in the characters’ heads, or if it’s really happening.
The Man from the North has an all-star cast
One of The Northman’s greatest strengths, in addition to Robert Eggers’ excellent direction, is its all-star cast.
The film stars Alexander Skarsgård as Prince Amleth. You probably know the actor from his performances in films like Godzilla vs. Kong and The Legend of Tarzan. He is also in series such as True Blood, Big Little Lies and Succession.
Claes Bang, from the Dracula series, plays Fjölnir, Amleth’s uncle. The antagonist is primarily responsible for the death of King Aurvandill, Amleth’s father. The monarch, in turn, is played by Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight).
Nicole Kidman, who had played Skarsgård’s wife in Big Little Lies, is Queen Gudrun, Amleth’s mother, in The Man from the North.
Anya Taylor-Joy completes the main cast of The Man from the North as Olga, a mysterious Slavic sorceress.
The cast of The Man of the North also includes Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man), Ralph Ineson (Harry Potter), Kate Dickie (The Witch) and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Game of Thrones) – as well as a special appearance by Icelandic singer Björk.
You can now watch The Northman on Prime Video.
