Differences aside-there are plenty of them-Eggers and cowriter Sjón add an explicit Yorick reference in the form of Heimir. The Northman is based on the old Scandinavian legend that inspired Hamlet, albeit with a significant increase in guys wearing wolf pelts. Despite having the epitome of little-guy weirdness at his disposal, however, director Robert Eggers quickly squanders his film’s crown jewel-to the detriment of both the audience and The Northman itself. My friend told me it’s “a combination of magnetism and revulsion.” But I propose an alternative: It’s Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool, The Northman’s secret weapon. What is the true essence of a weird little guy?
