The Northman (2022)
Maybe the best looking adaptation of Hamlet.
Presentation:
The film is beautiful, utilizing beautifully foreboding overcast skies and natural light. Some night scenes are really interestingly lit and showcase an innovation on how to show day-for-night. The mystical elements are well done and the visuals and direction make you forget that you are watching one of the most retold stories.
Story:
The story is an adaptation of Hamlet, so you should probably know what to expect if you've ever read the original or watched any other variation. But the elements are fresh from a Nordic viking setting and they have replaced key moments to provide it's own meaningful interpretation. The characters are brought to life and you wish there could be more development or possible deviation from the script.
Conclusion:
The film looks so good that you might forget what you are watching or that you know how it ends. But it ultimately is the same Shakespearean tale we are familiar with deceiving you into feeling you watched an art exhibition rather than a movie.
Recommendations
Off with the audience’s head.