The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Northman
Entertainment • Film

The Northman

The Northman is a 2022 historical action film directed by Robert Eggers and co-written with Sjón.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Northman is a 2022 historical action film directed by Robert Eggers and co-written with Sjón. Set mainly in 10th-century Iceland, it follows a Viking prince named Amleth as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder and tries to rescue his mother. The film draws on the legend of Amleth, which also inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Canada, the film was released in theatres in 2022 and is often discussed as a prestige historical epic.

Plot basis

The film follows a revenge narrative in which Amleth, a Viking prince, vows to avenge his father and rescue his mother after a family betrayal. The story centres on Prince Amleth, who pursues revenge after his father is killed and his mother is taken.

Historical and mythic background

The Northman draws on the medieval legend of Amleth and mixes historical Viking-age material with Norse mythology. The film is based very loosely on the legend of Amleth, a figure associated with the origin story of Hamlet.

Cast and characters

The principal cast includes Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, Nicole Kidman as Queen Gudrún, Claes Bang as Fjölnir, Anya Taylor-Joy as Olga, Ethan Hawke as King Aurvandill, Willem Dafoe, and Björk.

Production and filming

The film was directed by Robert Eggers after he previously directed The Witch and The Lighthouse. It was filmed in several locations, including Iceland and Northern Ireland, to support its landscape-driven setting.

Reception and style

Reviews describe the film as a violent, visually stark revenge epic with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and brutality. The film has a runtime of 2 hours 16 minutes and is rated R.

Key facts

  • The story centres on Prince Amleth, who pursues revenge after his father is killed and his mother is taken.
  • The film is based very loosely on the legend of Amleth, a figure associated with the origin story of Hamlet.
  • Robert Eggers directed the film after previously directing The Witch and The Lighthouse.
  • Alexander Skarsgård plays Amleth, with Nicole Kidman as Queen Gudrún, Ethan Hawke as King Aurvandill, Claes Bang as Fjölnir, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Olga.
  • The film was shot in locations including Iceland and Northern Ireland.
🍁
Canadian context

The Northman was shown in Canadian theatres in 2022 and is commonly discussed in Canadian film coverage as part of the broader appreciation of prestige historical epics.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Northman about?
It is about Viking prince Amleth, who seeks revenge after his father is murdered and his mother is taken, while trying to reclaim what was stolen from him.
Is The Northman based on a true story?
Not exactly. It is based very loosely on the legend of Amleth, a medieval story that likely inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, rather than on a verified historical event.
Who directed The Northman?
Robert Eggers directed The Northman.
Who is in the cast of The Northman?
The main cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk.
Where was The Northman filmed?
It was filmed in locations including Iceland and Northern Ireland, with additional coastal and landscape filming used to create its setting.
Is The Northman worth watching?
That is subjective, but reviews describe it as a striking, brutal, and visually ambitious revenge film; viewers who like dark historical epics and intense violence are the most likely audience.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Northman
    Supports: Basic cast, setting, and plot overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11138512/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and character names.
  3. Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-history-behind-robert-eggers-the-northman-180979954/
    Supports: Legend of Amleth, relation to Hamlet, and loose historical basis.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-northman-movie-review-2022
    Supports: Director, cast, and critical characterization.
  5. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2022/04/25/1093324673/the-northman-is-a-brutal-revenge-story-marked-by-violence-vengeance-and-vastness
    Supports: Plot, setting, director, and cast.
  6. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/movies/the-northman-review.html
    Supports: Runtime, rating, and critical description.
  7. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_northman
    Supports: Synopsis, rating, genre, and release date.