Ep. 256: The Northman

This week, Gavia and Morgan debate the virtues of Robert Eggers' latest historical reconstruction, The Northman, which stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a prince who becomes obsessed with revenge after witnessing his uncle (Claes Bang) murder his father (Ethan Hawke). The film also features Nicole Kidman as his mother and Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Russian witch. Topics discussed in this episode include Eggers' obsessive commitment to historical accuracy, whether his humorless and violent take on the revenge plot offers anything new, an appreciation of Nicole Kidman, and more.

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Links

‘The Northman’ Wasn’t Easy to Make. But That’s How Robert Eggers Likes It,” Kyle Buchanan, The New York Times

Robert Eggers’s Historical Visions Go Mainstream,” Sam Knight, The New Yorker

The Northman’s Robert Eggers on giving in to digital effects: ‘I whip myself every night’,” Tasha Robinson, Polygon

Focus Features Press site

Previous episodes: Episode 146: The Lighthouse, Episode 231: The Green Knight