It’s interesting to see the pivot for writer/director Robert Eggers to go from things like “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse,” more atmospheric supernatural tales, to something so much larger in scale like his upcoming Viking revenge saga (budgeted at $90 million), “The Northman.” The pic, starring Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, releases later this month and is directly inspired by the original Scandinavian story that influenced William Shakespeare‘s beloved “Hamlet,” which is certainly why the new film’s plot will seem very familiar to folks. This entry, however, is going to be much more violent and action-packed.
First reactions from press screenings of “The Northman” and a clip from the film have made their way online.
The film made quite the impression on our own Griffin Schiller, who stated on Twitter: “A Norse epic for the fu**** ages! They simply do not make movies like this anymore. A brutal, ferocious, spiritual adventure through fate, vengeance, & choice. A violent shock to the system that left me in awe! Damn, well might be my fav of the year.”
You can read other reactions below.
If you’re like us and are hungry now for some Eggers stuff, Famous First Films has posted on YouTube the director’s short film “Hansel & Gretel” (See below) from 2006 which clocks in at just under twenty-seven minutes.
The director is currently prepping the production on his remake of the influential 1922 silent vampire film “Nosferatu” in Prague that will see Eggers’ muse Anya Taylor-Joy take a role.
“The Northman” releases domestically on April 22. Below you can watch the clip from the film as well as the “Hansel & Gretel.”