The Northman is a revenge film following Alexander Skarsgård's Amleth on a hate-driven quest to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of his brother. As the third endeavor of acclaimed director Robert Eggers, the epic drama follows in the footsteps of many ancient tales of heroes on a quest for justice.
Thanks to a stellar script from Eggers, the film delivers on its promise of a tragic tale of a hero's loss. Following in the steps of Shakespearan tragedies of old, The Northman leaves behind plenty of emotional and often rageful quotes that will stick in the mind of viewers long after watching the film.
Painful Truth
"How Easily We All Become Princesses Again When The Beasts Take Us For Their Wives." - Gudrún
Nicole Kidman is an iconic actress with a number of impressive roles under her belt, whose performance in The Northman as Queen Gudrún upholds the film's darker themes as her character brings about the one big twist in the plot.
Upon being confronted by her long-lost son, Gudrún reveals the truth about herself and her late husband, who had taken her slave before marrying her, barely loving her beyond her means to give him a son. This shakes Amleth's entire paradigm, causing him to question the very nature of his quest.
Choose
"And Shall You Also Enjoy The Moment When You Must Choose Between Kindness For Your Kin Or Hate For Your Enemies?" - He-Witch
The film's plot revolves around Amleth seeking vengeance on those who wronged him and his family. However, as he nears the summation of his ultimate boon, a mysterious He-Witch calls into question the merits of his quest and where it would lead him in life.
Until that moment, Amleth had never questioned his righteous vengeance, considering it an inevitability. However, in this conversation, he comes to realize that seeking justice and living a happy life afterward may be mutually exclusive fates.
An Twist Of Fate
"My Fate Brought Me To Iceland To Carry Out My Quest Of Vengeance. But, My Fate Did Not Ready Me For Finding You." - Amleth
Upon his journey, Amleth meets the sorceress known as Olga of the Birch Forest, who is a slave of Fjölnir. After she assists in his journey, Amleth finds himself falling in love with the woman, who would eventually go on to carry his twin children and successors.
Olga was the one part of Amleth's journey that he had never before considered, representing a life that he could live after accomplishing his goals. She brought into his life a joy that he had never expected to find, muddying the waters of his future as he found himself faced with the choice of atoning for what he had lost or settling for what he had found.
I'm Vengeance
"I Am Amleth The Bear-Wolf, Son Of King Aurvandill The War Raven. And I. Am. His. Vengeance!" - Amleth
Much of the draw behind The Northman is the revenge story that drives the plot forward. Amleth has waited years to finally confront his treacherous uncle for his crimes and, upon finally doing so, he bellows a rageful greeting that strikes fear into Fjölnir's very heart.
Everyone loves a great revenge story where the hero defeats whoever has wronged him and the villain gets their just desserts. Seeing Amleth finally confront Fjölnir after many years is incredibly satisfying, especially given the truly epic, albeit short, speech that accompanies this scene.
What Next?
"Tomorrow I Shall Finish My Deeds In Honor. Only Then Will I Discover If Living Is To My Liking." - Amleth
When confronting his mother and revealing to her his plan to save her and kill his uncle, Amleth encounters a question that he had never considered before: what comes next? Unsure if life would even please him after his journey was complete, Amleth reveals that he won't yet consider such a manner of living until the deed is done.
The character of Amleth is a driven individual whose goals become the most important things in his life. While this is an honorable characteristic to have, it also proves to be quite myopic. Amleth fails to consider a path beyond his uncle's death, perhaps orchestrating his own undoing all the while.
The True King
"Strike, Brother. Strike. But Know That Bearing A Stolen Ring Makes No Half-Breed King. Soaked In My Blood, 'Twill Soon Be Sliding Off Your Arm Like A Serpent. Your Kingdom Will Not Last." - Aurvandill
The Northman puts together a remarkable cast of actors with storied backgrounds in Hollywood, including the incredibly talented Ethan Hawke as King Aurvandil, the father of Amleth. When stricken down and betrayed by his own brother, Aurvandil reminds Fjölnir that his death will not make him the rightful king.
Though certain aspects of Aurvandil's character would later be called into question, there remains no doubt that he faced his death with honor and courage, prevailing in death despite being betrayed by a man close to his heart. These last moments witnessed through Amleth's eyes would push the rightful heir to seek revenge for the rest of his life.
A Different Kind Of Strength
"Your Strength Breaks Men's Bones. I Have The Cunning To Break Their Minds." - Olga
Anya Taylor-Joy rounds out the film's cast as Olga, who is both the closest confidant and eventual love interest of Amleth. Shortly after their meeting, she learns of his mission, and asserts her own usefulness, claiming that her methods of fighting her enemies are more psychological than they are physical.
Olga's words would be proven true throughout the film as she helped concoct strategies that Amleth would use to take down Fjölnir's men gradually. Without her assistance, it is likely that Amleth would never have found the revenge he so desperately sought. In a film laden with testosterone and bloody fights, it is quite refreshing to add a layer of cerebral strategy to the mix.
A Warrior's Death
"I Refuse To Die In Sickness Nor Live The Long Life Of A Shameful Greybeard. I Must Die By The Sword. I Will Die In Honor." - Aurvandill
Ethan Hawke adds to his impressive resume as King Aurvandill. After returning home from a fierce battle, Aurvandill reveals to his wife that he has been seriously injured. He is somewhat disappointed by his survival, desiring the death of a warrior rather than to die as an old, decrepit man.
Aurvandill's philosophy on death perfectly represents the Viking culture of the day, where glorious death in battle was the greatest end to one's life, potentially securing their place in Valhalla. Aurvandill would have part of his wish fulfilled, as he would not die of sickness or old age, though he does not die on the field of battle.
Amleth's Mantra
"I Will Avenge You, Father. I Will Save You, Mother. I Will Kill You, Fjölnir." - Amleth
After the murder of his father and the supposed kidnapping of his mother, the young Amleth escaped from his uncle on a rowboat, chanting to himself the same three sentences over and over again as he embarked on what would become a revenge quest for the ages.
These three lines repeat themselves on a number of occasions throughout the film, acting as Amleth's mantra as he goes about completing each of his promises. However, as the film would progress, these words would have to be amended, for new information would reveal that not each of these promises could be fulfilled.
A New Mantra
"I Will Avenge You. I Will Honor Our Blood. I Will Cut The Thread Of Fate." - Amleth
As he approaches his final battle with Fjölnir upon the volcano, Amleth begins chanting a new mantra, replacing the promises he had repeated to himself since childhood. After completing his journey of reaching Fjölnir, Amleth finds some of his goals changed.
This new mantra represents Amleth's growth throughout his journey. No longer is he concerned with the salvation of his mother, who betrayed his father, nor is he solely out to kill his uncle. Rather, he is set on restoring the honor of his family after years of disservice to their name, as well as resisting the course of fate itself.