Anya Taylor-Joy is having a banner year. From voicing Princess Peach in the billion-dollar The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to starring in the acclaimed Apple TV+ crime thriller Lucky alongside Timothy Olyphant, the 30-year-old actress is everywhere. She's also set to headline Dune: Part Three and appears opposite Chris Evans in Netflix's Sacrifice. But one of her most underrated projects is still making waves on streaming.
Released in 2022, The Northman is a dark, ritualistic Viking epic directed by Robert Eggers, known for The Witch and Nosferatu. The film stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, a prince who seeks vengeance against his uncle for murdering his father. Taylor-Joy plays Olga, a Slavic sorceress who aids Amleth, and Nicole Kidman plays his mother, Queen Gudrún. The cast also includes Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Jack Walsh.
Despite a $90 million budget, The Northman only grossed $75 million at the box office. However, it has found a second life on streaming. The film has now spent over a month at the top of VOD charts on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, according to recent data. This sustained popularity is a testament to its gripping story and Eggers' unique directorial vision.
The movie's success on streaming is particularly notable given the crowded field of recent releases. It's currently outperforming many newer titles, including Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, which recently topped Netflix charts. The Northman's longevity suggests that audiences are still hungry for Eggers' brand of historical horror.
Critics have praised The Northman for its visceral action and atmospheric tension, earning it a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score. Audiences were slightly less enthusiastic, giving it 69%, but the film's streaming numbers tell a different story. It's clearly resonating with viewers who missed it in theaters or are discovering it for the first time.
For those who haven't seen it, The Northman is now streaming exclusively on Netflix. It's also available for purchase or rental on Prime Video and Apple TV, where it's been climbing the charts. If you're a fan of brutal revenge tales, this is a must-watch.
Taylor-Joy's career shows no signs of slowing down. With Dune: Part Three on the horizon and other projects in the pipeline, she's proving to be one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. But for now, The Northman remains a standout in her filmography, and its streaming success is well deserved.
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