An actual epic, in the literal sense of the word.

Eggers's strength lies in suffusing the mood, aesthetic, and pacing of the type of story he's telling into the cinematic language of the film. The Witcher felt like a folktale, The Lighthouse felt like a cosmic horror tale, and The Northman feels like a Viking saga.

Characters are mere story figures, meant to convey the correct emotions and dramatic significance. The style of dialog and cinematography feels ritualistic, a performance, and a telling of an important tale. This is what is so good about it.

It is at its best when it is non-literal, the visions and big speeches. I felt it was too grounded and trying to be too much of a contemporary "regular" movie at times.

Still absolutely worth experiencing.