The Northman 2022

In the verdant year of 895 AD, King Aurvandill returns to the sacred isle of Hrafnsey, reuniting with his regal queen, Gudrún, and their rightful heir, Prince Amleth. As a precursor to Amleth’s ascension, the trio participates in a mystical ceremony overseen by the wise jester, Heimir. The next morning, Aurvandill’s illegitimate brother, Fjölnir, commits regicide, pillages the king’s stronghold, and absconds with Gudrún. Amidst chaos, Amleth flees by boat, vowing an oath of vengeance.

Years hence, Amleth exists as a fierce berserker among a band of Vikings, his rage still simmering like a smoldering fire. Following a brutal skirmish in the distant realm of Gardariki, Amleth encounters a mystical Seeress within the hallowed temple of Svetovit; she prophesies that Amleth will soon exact retribution upon Fjölnir and that his path is intricately entwined with that of a Maiden-King. As Amleth learns that Fjölnir has been ousted by Harald of Norway and now languishes in exile within Iceland, he disguises himself as a slave to infiltrate the exiled king’s farm.

There, he meets Olga, a Slavic woman claiming sorcerous abilities; together, they are taken to Fjölnir’s humble abode. Amleth discovers that his mother has married and borne a son, Gunnar, with Fjölnir. One fateful night, he encounters a mysterious He-witch who facilitates a spiritual communion between Amleth and the spirit of the late Heimir, revealed to have been brutally murdered by Fjölnir’s own hand. This revelation sparks a vision within Amleth of Draugr, a legendary sword said to lie at the threshold of Hel.

Amleth embarks on a perilous journey to claim this blade after vanquishing an undead Mound Dweller guarding its resting place. The following day, he is selected to participate in a high-stakes game of knattleikr against another farm; however, the competition devolves into violence, and Gunnar nearly meets his demise. Amleth intervenes, saving the young man’s life, earning him the gratitude of Fjölnir’s son, Thorir, who grants Amleth the position of overseer and permits him to choose a woman.

During the ensuing revelry, Amleth shares a moment of passion with Olga; they promise to unite against their common foe. As the night wears on, Amleth covertly kills several of Fjölnir’s men, while Olga secretly laces their food with fly agaric, a potent hallucinogen. The ensuing chaos provides Amleth an opportunity to infiltrate Fjölnir’s stronghold. There, he encounters his mother, who reveals her role in the king’s downfall and the circumstances surrounding Amleth’s conception – a result of rape. Enraged by this revelation, Amleth slays Thorir and steals his heart.

As Gudrún’s treachery unfolds, she reveals Amleth’s true identity to Fjölnir, precipitating a ruthless demand for his execution. Fjölnir, driven by malevolent intent, threatens to slaughter Olga unless Amleth agrees to sacrifice Thorir’s life force in exchange. Amidst this sinister standoff, the tormented Amleth finds an opportunity for escape when a flock of ravens, unwitting allies, liberate him from his restraints. With newfound hope, Amleth seizes the chance to flee with Olga by boat, leaving behind the darkness that has consumed their lives.

Meanwhile, Amleth’s vision grants him insight into Olga’s condition: she is carrying twin children, one of whom will fulfill the Seeress’ prophecy and become the enigmatic Maiden-King. Consumed by foreboding, Amleth decides to put an end to Fjölnir’s tyranny once and for all, taking a leap of faith into the unforgiving waters despite Olga’s desperate pleas.

Back at the farm, Amleth unleashes a whirlwind of liberation, freeing the slaves and exacting brutal justice upon most of Fjölnir’s men. As he searches for his uncle, Amleth is confronted by the ghostly apparition of his mother, who seeks to rekindle their dark past through Draugr. With swift determination, Amleth dispatches her malevolent spirit. Gunnar, however, proves a more formidable foe, striking at Amleth’s back with deadly precision before meeting his own demise at the hands of his avenging son.

Fjölnir, driven by grief and fury, summons Amleth to the Gates of Hell, the treacherous crater of Hekla’s volcano, for a duel of honor. The stage is set for a clash of steel as Amleth and Fjölnir engage in a frenzied battle; ultimately, it is Fjölnir who meets his end at the tip of Amleth’s sword. As Amleth succumbs to his mortal wounds, he beholds a fleeting glimpse of Olga embracing their twin children, a poignant reminder of the future they will never know. In a final act of divine intervention, a valkyrie appears to escort Amleth through the gates of Valhalla, ensuring that his legacy lives on in the realms beyond mortality.