Where was The Northman filmed? Discover the Viking villages, dramatic coastlines, mountain battlegrounds, and Icelandic landscapes behind the epic.
Some families settle their differences over dinner. Others prefer swords, sorcery, and a spectacularly unhealthy obsession with revenge. Robert Eggers‘ The Northman (2022) takes the second approach, with considerably more blood.
Co-written with Icelandic poet Sjón, this brutal Viking epic stars Alexander Skarsgård as Prince Amleth, a warrior determined to avenge his murdered father, King Aurvandill (Ethan Hawke), rescue his mother, Queen Gudrún (Nicole Kidman), and kill his treacherous uncle, Fjölnir (Claes Bang).
Along the way, he joins forces with Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy), encounters a mysterious Seeress (Björk), and discovers that family loyalty can be a particularly dangerous business.
Inspired by the medieval Scandinavian legend of Amleth, which also influenced Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the film combines Norse mythology, painstaking historical detail, and breathtaking landscapes.
Table of Contents
🪓 The Northman Filming Locations
The Northman was filmed primarily across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2020, where rugged landscapes and elaborate Viking sets doubled for the Land of Rus, with additional footage captured in Iceland.
🏰 Northern Ireland – Viking Kingdoms & Bloody Revenge
Northern Ireland provided the film’s principal locations, from Amleth‘s childhood kingdom to his uncle’s Icelandic farm.
Torr Head, County Antrim, became Hrafnsey, King Aurvandill‘s coastal kingdom. The production built a Viking settlement overlooking the North Channel, where the opening scenes establish Amleth‘s royal childhood.
Knock Dhu, County Antrim, doubled for Fjölnir‘s Icelandic farm. The crew constructed nine turf-roofed buildings where Amleth infiltrates his uncle’s household. During the pandemic shutdown, the turf naturally settled and grew, making the farmstead even more convincing.
Clandeboye Estate, County Down, hosted the Slavic village raid, where Amleth and his fellow berserkers unleash their fury. Its woodlands also provided the setting for King Aurvandill‘s murder.
River Bann and Shane’s Castle, County Antrim, recreated the waterways of the Land of Rus. Viking longships travelled these rivers, reflecting the Norse trade and raiding routes across Eastern Europe.
Mourne Mountains, County Down, hosted the brutal knattleikr ball game, featuring Amleth against Thórfinnr, played by Game of Thrones giant Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. Viking sportsmanship was clearly an optional extra.
Hightown Quarry, County Antrim, became the fiery Gates of Hell, where Amleth and Fjölnir fight their final duel. Practical effects and CGI transformed the quarry into an Icelandic volcanic battlefield.
Tyrella Beach, County Down, provided the shoreline where Amleth and Olga prepare to escape Iceland, before his obsession with revenge intervenes. Belfast Harbour Studios supplied studio facilities and constructed interiors.
What was filmed here:
- Torr Head, County Antrim: King Aurvandill‘s coastal Viking kingdom.
- Knockdhu, County Antrim: Amleth infiltrates Fjölnir‘s farmstead.
- Clandeboye Estate Woodlands, County Down: King Aurvandill‘s murder.
- River Bann, County Antrim: Viking longships approach Slavic settlement.
- Shane’s Castle Estate, Antrim: Land of Rus sequences.
- Mourne Mountains, County Down: Brutal Viking knattleikr ball game.
- Hightown Quarry, County Antrim: Amleth and Fjölnir‘s volcanic duel.
- Tyrella Beach, County Down: Amleth and Olga‘s planned escape.
- Belfast Harbour Studios, Belfast: Constructed Viking interiors and sets.
What to see & do in Northern Ireland:
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Thrilling coastal suspension bridge.
- Giant’s Causeway: Spectacular hexagonal basalt columns.
- Carrickfergus Castle: Medieval coastal fortress.
- Glenarm Castle: Historic gardens & architecture.
- Waterfoot Caves: Ancient coastal limestone caves.
- The Dark Hedges: Atmospheric beech trees.
- Antrim Coast Road: Spectacular coastal driving scenery.
- Slieve Donard: Northern Ireland’s highest mountain.
- Tollymore Forest Park: Picturesque forests & stone bridges.
- Belfast Castle: Historic architecture & gardens.
- Titanic Belfast: Legendary ship’s history.
- St George’s Market: Local food & artisan stalls.
- Ulster Folk Museum: Traditional Ulster village life.
🌿 Republic of Ireland – Iceland Without the Volcanoes
Ireland‘s dramatic Atlantic coastline and mountain valleys doubled for Iceland‘s rugged landscapes.
Five Fingers Strand, County Donegal, became Iceland‘s coastline, where Amleth, Olga, and the other captives arrive by ship. Digital colour adjustments transformed the beach’s golden sand into a darker, volcanic-looking shoreline.
The towering cliffs and winding valleys of Gleniff Horseshoe, County Sligo, supplied mountainous scenery representing Iceland‘s remote interior.
What was filmed here:
- Gleniff Horseshoe, County Sligo: Remote Icelandic mountain landscape footage.
- Five Fingers Strand, Inishowen, County Donegal: Amleth & Olga arrive in Iceland.
What to see & do in Ireland:
- Malin Head: See Star Wars filming sites.
- Pollan Beach, Ballyliffin: Sandy shores & coastal views.
- Northburgh Castle: Atmospheric medieval castle ruins.
- Martello Towers: Historic coastal defence towers.
- Doagh Famine Village: Traditional life & Irish history.
- Fort Dunree: Military history & coastal views.
- Glencar Waterfall: The famous woodland waterfall.
- Marble Arch Caves: Underground limestone caverns.
- Fermanagh Lakelands: Ireland’s hidden treasures.
- Strandhill Village: Spectacular beach & surfing.
❄️ Iceland – The Real Land of Fire & Ice
Although most of The Northman was filmed in Ireland, additional photography captured Iceland‘s glaciers, volcanic landscapes, and dramatic mountains to establish the film’s authentic Viking setting.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier, near Skaftafell Nature Reserve in Vatnajökull National Park, supplied glacial footage for Amleth‘s journey. Akureyri in Northern Iceland, provided additional village footage, bringing authentic Icelandic surroundings to the predominantly Irish production.
Mount Hekla in Southern Iceland inspired the film’s fiery Gates of Hell. Vestrahorn and East Iceland supplied additional mountain and landscape photography, reinforcing the film’s remote, unforgiving atmosphere.
What was filmed here:
- Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Southeast Iceland: Glacial scenes & landscape footage.
- Akureyri, Northern Iceland: Additional Icelandic village scenes.
- Hekla Region, Southern Iceland: Volcanic landscape footage.
- Vestrahorn, Southeast Iceland: Dramatic mountain landscape footage.
- East Iceland: Additional Icelandic landscape footage.
What to see & do in Iceland:
- Skaftafell: Ice caves & glacier landscapes.
- Svartifoss Waterfall: Striking black basalt columns.
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Icebergs drift across glacial waters.
- Diamond Beach: Icebergs on black sand.
- Goðafoss Waterfall: Spectacular horseshoe waterfall.
- Thingvellir National Park: Game of Thrones filming locations.
Travel tip:
- Iceland‘s glaciers and volcanic highlands require careful planning. Check access conditions, respect closures, and book qualified guides for glacier excursions.
❓ The Northman FAQs
From its filming locations to its historical inspiration, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Is The Northman based on a true story or Shakespeare’s Hamlet?
Both The Northman and Shakespeare’s Hamlet draw on the medieval legend of Amleth, recorded by Saxo Grammaticus in Gesta Danorum. The legend features a murdered king, treacherous uncle, and vengeful prince.
How does The Northman differ from the original Amleth legend?
In Saxo’s legend, Amleth pretends to be mad to survive his uncle’s court, eventually kills him, and becomes king. In The Northman movie, Amleth flees as a child, returns years later disguised as a slave, and dies fighting his uncle in a volcanic duel.
Where is The Northman set?
The Northman is based in the fictional island kingdom of Hrafnsey, moves to the Land of Rus in Eastern Europe, and concludes in 10th-century Iceland.
What language do they speak in The Northman?
Most dialogue is in English, with passages in Old Norse and Old East Slavic to evoke the historical setting.
Were Viking berserkers real, and did they use substances?
Berserkers appear in Old Norse literature, but their practices remain debated. Henbane has been proposed as a possible cause of battle frenzy, although evidence is inconclusive.
What do Odin’s ravens and Yggdrasil symbolise?
Huginn and Muninn represent Thought and Memory, while Yggdrasil is the sacred tree connecting Norse mythology’s nine realms. Both reinforce Amleth‘s ancestry and destiny.
Why does the Valkyrie have carved teeth?
Her appearance references archaeological discoveries of deliberately modified Viking-age teeth, whose original purpose remains uncertain.
How historically accurate is The Northman?
Historians and archaeologists helped recreate Viking ships, longhouses, clothing, and weapons. However, the film blends historical details with mythology and fictional events.
Is the Viking funeral in The Northman historically accurate?
Þórir‘s funeral draws on Ahmad ibn Fadlan‘s AD 922 account of a Rus ship funeral, including ritual sacrifice and cremation, but adapts elements for dramatic effect.
Why does Amleth wear Arabic silver coins?
The coins reflect Viking trade networks connecting Scandinavia with the Islamic world. Arabic silver dirhams were also worn as jewellery.
What is knattleikr in The Northman?
Knattleikr was an Icelandic ball game described in medieval literature, which the film transforms into a brutal contest of strength.
Who plays the Seeress in The Northman?
Icelandic musician Björk plays the Seeress, returning to a substantial film role more than 20 years after Dancer in the Dark (2000).
Does Amleth die at the end of The Northman?
Yes. Amleth and Fjölnir mortally wound each other in their final duel, while Amleth‘s vision suggests he will enter Valhalla.
What happens to Olga at the end of The Northman?
Olga escapes by boat, pregnant with Amleth‘s twins, while he returns to confront Fjölnir and protect their future.
Is The Northman worth watching?
Yes, especially for fans of Viking history, Norse mythology, and visually striking historical epics. Expect brutal violence, supernatural visions, and very little family harmony.
Who’ s in The Northman Cast?
- Alexander Skarsgård: Prince Amleth
- Oscar Novak: Young Amleth
- Nicole Kidman: Queen Gudrún
- Claes Bang: Fjölnir the Brotherless
- Anya Taylor-Joy: Olga of the Birch Forest
- Ethan Hawke: King Aurvandill War-Raven
- Willem Dafoe: Heimir the Fool
- Björk: The Seeress
- Gustav Lindh: Þórir the Proud
- Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson: Thórfinnr
- Ingvar Sigurðsson: The Sorcerer
- Kate Dickie: Halldora the Pict
- Ralph Ineson: Captain Volodymyr
- Murray McArthur: Hákon Iron-Beard
What are some films like The Northman?
If you enjoy savage historical battles, ancient legends, and revenge stories, these films deserve a place on your watchlist.
- The Vikings (1958): Rival Viking brothers battle for power.
- Conan the Barbarian (1982): Warrior seeks vengeance against murderous cult.
- Valhalla Rising (2009): Mysterious warrior journeys through brutal wilderness.
- Centurion (2010): Roman soldiers fight for survival northward.
- Black Death (2010): Medieval plague journey reveals religious terror.
- Ironclad (2011): Knights defend castle against royal siege.
- The Eagle (2011): Roman soldier searches for lost legion.
- Viking (2016): Exiled prince fights for power.
- The Last King (2016): Warriors protect Norway’s infant royal heir.
- The Green Knight (2021): Arthurian knight confronts destiny and mortality.
- The Last Duel (2021): Medieval rivals settle accusations through combat.
- The Woman King (2022): Female warriors defend their African kingdom.
- The Promised Land (2023): Determined soldier battles landowners’ cruelty.
- Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla (2013-2024): Norse warriors pursue power.
- King & Conqueror (2025): Rival claimants battle for England.
📺 Where to Watch The Northman
Where is The Northman movie streaming? Here’s where to find this brutal Viking revenge epic.
- ➡️ Watch The Northman on Prime Video
- ➡️ Own The Northman on 4K/DVD/Blu-ray
- ➡️Read The Northman: A Call to the Gods
From Ireland‘s windswept cliffs to Iceland‘s glaciers, The Northman proves that Viking legends don’t need Hollywood backlots when nature already provides scenery fit for the gods. Just remember to pack a raincoat instead of a battleaxe.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy of its information or recommend relying on it for important decisions. All referenced titles, names, and intellectual property belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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