10 WTF Moments In Robert Eggers The Northman

If you're looking for a semi-historically accurate Viking drama with bloodshed and ancient beliefs, look no further than Robert Eggers's The Northman. Set in medieval times against the landscape of 10th century Scandinavia, this film takes viewers on a 2-hour journey through the physical and supernatural worlds.

Billed as one of the most historically accurate Viking movies ever made, the story follows the quest of grown Viking Prince Amleth as his fate is set after witnessing the murder of his father when he was a boy by his uncle Fjölnir (Claes Bang). The cast is star-studded with Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy taking the lead and Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke and wild card Björk featuring in pretty major supportive roles.

Director Robert Eggers tends to follow a dark and all-encompassing feeling of doom with his films, and The Northman is no exception. Unlike his previous projects, The Witch and The Lighthouse, this film has a rather impressive budget of £70 million, and he did not hold back. The level of accuracy in the film is unmatched, even with all of the fantastical elements, but some moments have us saying WTF was going on back then. Major spoilers ahead!

Amleth is selected from the slaves to participate in a game of Knattleikr, or Hardball. Unbeknownst to him, the game's objective is to be the last man standing. His lovely teammate jokingly hints at this before the game starts, but the enemy team quickly takes him down. Amleth catches on quickly and manages to defend his way to the final showdown.

As the final match begins, his hefty opponent charges at him but not before his juvenile step-brother (nobody knows) decides to grab the ball and run with it, making him the new target. Realising this and seeing the rather giant ogre of a man running after his kin, Amleth steps in and headbutts the man to a bloody pulp.

This scene is traumatic, and all you want to do is strangle the young boy, but you wouldn't expect the comedy that also comes with it. There are moments at the beginning of each rematch where the men are lined up on opposite sides of the field where you can't help but laugh. The use of silence amplifies the power cries the men give off before running at each other. It's all a bit neanderthal, but a crucial part of the story as Amleth essentially saves his uncle's child.