How to watch 'The Northman' — now streaming on-demand

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• "The Northman" is the latest film from critically acclaimed director Robert Eggers.
• It's based on the Scandinavian legend of Amleth, the direct inspiration for Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
• You can now rent or buy "The Northman" from Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube.

"The Northman" (Digital Purchase)

$24.99 from Amazon

$24.99 from Apple TV

$24.99 from Vudu

Director Robert Eggers is back with another period drama; this time it's one of epic proportions set in the era of Vikings. Called "The Northman," the new movie is now available to rent for $20 or buy for $25 from streaming retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube.

"The Northman" tells the tale of a Viking prince (Alexander Skarsgård), dead set on avenging his father's murder. The movie is filled with stunning sets, bloody action, and impressive performances. Its plot is based on the medieval Scandinavian legend of Amleth, the same legend that inspired Shakespeare's "Hamlet." 

Written by Sjón and Robert Eggers, "The Northman" stars Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe. Eggers' previous directing credits include the critically acclaimed films "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse." 

You can watch "The Northman" through  digital retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Youtube. The movie is available to rent for $20 or purchase for $25. 

Digital purchases can be watched whenever you like and as many times as you like. If you rent the movie, you get 30 days to start watching it, and then 48 hours to finish after you hit play. Since the purchase option is only $5 more, it's currently the better deal. With that said, we expect the rental price to drop to around $6 over the coming months.

If you buy "The Northman," you may also want to consider a Movies Anywhere membership. This free service links different retail accounts — including Amazon, Apple, Google, Vudu, and Microsoft — so you can view your compatible movies across all of their apps. For example, if you buy "The Northman" from Amazon Prime Video and you have all your accounts linked on Movies Anywhere, you'll be able to stream it via the Vudu or Apple TV apps without paying any extra.

"The Northman" received critical acclaim. The movie currently holds an "89% Certified Fresh" rating on review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 317 reviews from critics.

As a fan of director Robert Eggers myself, I was very excited to catch "The Northman" in theaters, and I was not disappointed. The movie is visually stunning, with grand sequences marked by sweeping shots of Viking longboats traversing massive waterways, and more intimate scenes carried by provocative performances. The production also spotlights historical accuracy in every detail, including the villages, clothing, ceremonies, and weaponry. 

I highly recommend the movie to not only fans of Eggers' work, but also to those who may be skeptical of the genre. Compared to "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse," "The Northman" is a bit more accessible to mainstream audiences thanks to its straightforward, familiar plot and exciting action. Be warned though: this film is very graphic. 

If you're interested in watching older films from director Robert Eggers, you can also find them streaming online. Both "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse" are currently on Showtime.

The two films star Anya Taylor-Joy and Willem Dafoe, respectively, both of whom return for roles in "The Northman."

Showtime Monthly Streaming Subscription

$10.99 from Showtime

$10.99 from Amazon