Fans adore Ethan Hawke for his memorable performances in films like Training Day and The Black Phone, but many have sadly missed out on one of the greatest works of his career. Pairing with a star-studded cast that also includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, and Anya Taylor-Joy, the Dead Poets Society star worked alongside celebrated filmmaker Robert Eggers in his 2022 brutal historical epic, The Northman. After enjoying a lengthy run on Peacock, the movie will sadly be departing the streamer on December 31, giving intrigued subscribers just a few weeks to immerse themselves in the bloody folktale.
Preceded by The Lighthouse and <em>The Witch</em>, The Northman is the third feature-length production to come from Eggers and stays in line with his love of history and folklore. In addition to standing at the helm as the project’s director, Eggers also co-penned the screenplay alongside Sjón, with the pair basing it on the legend of Amleth — a popular personality in storytelling who was also used as the basis of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In it, audiences meet a young Viking prince named Amleth (Skarsgård) who narrowly escapes a coup thrown by his uncle (Claes Bang) that claims the life of his father, King Aurvandill (Hawke). Spending his life in exile, Amleth waits until the time is right to journey home and avenge the murder of his beloved father, cutting down everyone who stands in his way.
There are plenty of Eggers regulars that hold strong roles and lengthy bits of screentime in The Northman, with The Witch’s Taylor-Joy and The Lighthouse and Nosferatu’s Willem Dafoe joining the ensemble cast alongside Björk, Gustav Lindh,, and more. Likewise, the feature reunited the helmer and his frequent cinematographer collaborator, Jarin Blaschke, with the duo previously joining forces for both The Witch and The Lighthouse. They would go on to work alongside one another for Nosferatu and will continue their tradition with Eggers’ upcoming film, Werwulf.
‘The Northman’s Underperforming Box Office Run
After its wide theatrical release, The Northman received heaps of praise from audiences and critics alike. With a 90% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is the director’s second-highest rated film, falling just one percentage point behind his debut, The Witch. Despite its positive feedback, the bloodlust-filled tale of the young Viking prince on a quest for vengeance didn’t make major waves at the box office, falling short of its $70 million production price tag with $69.6 million in earnings. However, in the years since, audiences have found themselves captivated by the barbaric, ruthless, and at times trippy film, giving it a cult-like following.
Head over to Peacock before the end of the month to stream The Northman.
- Release Date
- April 22, 2022
- Runtime
- 137 minutes
