The story itself doesn’t offer anything particularly new. We follow a young prince, initially played by Oscar Novak and later portrayed with greater impact by Alexander Skarsgård as “Amleth,” who observes the murder of his father, "King Aurvandil," brought to life by Ethan Hawke, and the abduction of his mother, "Gudrún," performed by Nicole Kidman, at the hands of his deceitful uncle, "Fjölnir," portrayed by Claes Bang. Managing to survive, he finds refuge among the Rus people, where he develops into a skilled and formidable warrior. Discovering that the man who betrayed him has been overthrown and now resides in Iceland, he devises a plan to infiltrate a group of slaves being sent to his farm as a means of exacting vengeance. While there are minor surprises within what is generally an easy-to-follow narrative—including encounters with the mysterious "Olga," played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and acquiring a lethal sword that can only be unsheathed during darkness—the film's true strength lies in its raw, dark, and captivating production design. The major actors don’t appear as frequently as one might expect, although Nicole Kidman has a more substantial role later on, which is certainly welcome. This allows the audience to become immersed in a story deeply rooted in Norse mythology, not just referencing figures like Odin, Freya, and Valhalla, but also exploring the broader reverence for nature; depicting primal instincts shared by humans and animals. It examines an interdependent connection with the natural world that challenges the beliefs of both pagan and Christian individuals. The film is harsh, yet it doesn't feel exploitative—reflecting how people treated one another in those times, where women were often viewed as little more than instruments for procreation and children held a low position within society. Robert Eggers has fleshed out the material considerably compared to most similar portrayals drawn from this exceptionally rich and fascinating tradition that skillfully weaves together elements of reality, invention, fantasy, mysticism, and dread. It’s a 2¼-hour adventure that is best experienced on a large screen before its visual grandeur diminishes when viewed at home.

Source on TMDB