Robert Eggers’ follow-up to The Witch and The Lighthouse is the ultra-violent Viking saga you never knew you needed. Though not quite as authentic as the 38 year-old American’s previous work, and certainly not as crazy (those hoping for more giant mermaid vaginas will be gutted), it’s atmospheric, thought-provoking and mischievous, a perfect showcase for Alexander Skarsgård and his Big Little Lies co-star, Nicole Kidman. It’s grim up North. And glorious, too.
The story (loosely based on the Scandinavian myth on which Shakespeare drew for Hamlet) begins with Fjölnir (Claes Bang) murdering his brother King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), and kidnapping his queen, Gudrún (Kidman). The usurper also gives orders for his young nephew, Amleth (Oscar Novak), next in line to the throne, to be killed. Fjölnir – literally and in so many other ways – is a bastard.
