2022 is already shaping up to be the year of impeccable television and it seems as though cinema fans are in for a veritable feast of film treats this year too.

We’ve already got classic romcom The Lost City to look forward to as well as Jordan Peele’s Nope and even the second instalment of Black Panther. Now, we’ve got a Viking epic to add to our ever-growing film list: The Northman.

Starring Alexander Skarsgård as the gigantic Viking warrior Amleth, the film follows his bloody quest to avenge his father’s death. Ethan Hawke plays Amleth’s late father, the former king who is shot down when Amleth is a boy. As an adult, Amleth only has one thing on his mind: revenge.

And while bloody battles, gore and dirt may not initially strike you as being your go-to movie genre, it seems as though The Northman is already shaping up to be one of the standout films of the year. Ahead of its cinematic release on 22 April, critics have been quick to praise the film for its stellar acting, gritty storyline and edge-of-your-seat action. 

A lot of the initial critical reception has been focused on Skarsgård’s hauntingly brilliant performance:

The film is directed by Robert Eggers, who is best known for his acclaimed horror films The Witch and The Lighthouse, and seems to have captivated viewers with this latest release:

The $90 million spent on the film was all worth it in the end, it seems:

And how could we forget Nicole Kidman’s transfixing role in the upcoming movie:

It also looks like we’re in for a treat apperance from Björk, albeit brief:

If that wasn’t enough to win you over, perhaps the gritty trailer for The Northman will. Watch it here:

In it, we see the king and young Amleth outside together when the king is suddenly pierced by an arrow fired by none other than Amleth’s uncle, Fjolnir (played by Claes Bang). Amleth then witnesses his father’s dramatic beheading and fiercely pledges that he will avenge his father, save his mother (played by Nicole Kidman) and kill his uncle.

With the help of Anya Taylor-Joy, who plays Olga, the pair embark on carrying out Amleth’s vengeful plan. Other cast members include Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) and Björk, so it’s safe to say that this film has a cast of familiar faces.

The Northman already looks like an epic revenge-filled film that will have us all on the edge of our seats – we can’t wait to watch.

The Northman will be released in UK cinemas nationwide on 22 April 2022. 

Image: Universal