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Spoilers follow for Robert EggerssThe Northman.
Its not thatNicole KidmanandAlexander Skarsgardhavent kissed beforeorfought before.
They did both as married couple Celeste and Perry Wright in the HBO seriesBig Little Lies.
That is the greatest woundThe Northmaninflicts, and writer-directorRobert Eggersand co-writer Sjon wisely take their time leading us there.
I will save you, Mother.
Gudrun, meanwhile, is an ambiguous puzzle around whom Amleth shrinks and stalls.
(There are similarities betweenThe NorthmanandBirths inappropriate kisses, too, but thats another essay.)
Maybe initially, given the whole incest thing.
But ultimately, it shouldnt be.Amleth has spent his entire life chasing his mother.
And Gudrun, for her part, says this seductive strategy worked for her once before, on Fjolnir.
Like the protagonist of EggerssThe Witch, Gudrun is a woman perceived as different things to different people.
She says Fjolnir loved her for who she was, while Amleth loved her for whohethought she was.
Gudrun, in her use of seduction and murder to get what she wants, has no such limitations.
And her sureness in her choices complements Amleths certainty even as they take conflicting sides.
Thou turnst mine eyes into my very soul, Queen Gertrude says in fear and shame to Hamlet.
