Before Anya Taylor-Joy Joins The Lord of the Rings, The Northman Is a Must-Watch

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Rumors are swirling that Anya Taylor-Joy might star in the new live-action movie, The Hunt for Gollum, and fans are excitedly guessing which character she could play – whether someone we’ve seen before or a completely new face. While The Lord of the Rings is still considered the best in fantasy, this wouldn’t be Taylor-Joy’s first time working in the genre.

Before Anya Taylor-Joy appears in the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, it’s worth watching her previous fantasy role in the 2022 Viking movie The Northman. This gritty, R-rated epic offers a good look at what she could bring to the world of Middle-earth. While it didn’t do huge numbers in theaters, The Northman has become very popular on Netflix, standing out as a mature and serious fantasy film.

The Northman Is Brutal High-Fantasy Done Right

Director Robert Eggers has become a highly acclaimed filmmaker, captivating audiences with movies like The Witch, The Lighthouse, Nosferatu, and especially The Northman. The Northman is his most ambitious and expansive film yet, and it fully delivers on its promise. It’s a dark, intense, and surprisingly violent story that features

Let me tell you, Alexander Skarsgård is absolutely captivating as this exiled prince driven by a relentless quest for revenge. But he’s not alone – the entire cast is phenomenal. You’ve got Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe… it’s a seriously impressive lineup that brings this harsh Viking world to life. However, Anya Taylor-Joy is the one who truly blew me away. I remember her being great in Robert Eggers’ The Witch, but she really comes into her own here in The Northman. She’s mesmerizing, and honestly, she kind of steals every scene she’s in.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Olga in The Northman is central to the film’s emotional core, playing a magical and captivating partner to Alexander Skarsgård’s character. Her work in The Northman, with its intense atmosphere and mystical elements, makes her an ideal addition to the upcoming Middle-Earth series. Many recent fantasy films feel unoriginal, often closely imitating The Lord of the Rings, but The Northman stands out with its distinctive style, engaging story, and talented cast, making it a must-see for fantasy fans.

The Northman Mixes Mysticism With Grounded Violence Perfectly

While not as expansive as the worlds of The Lord of the Rings or George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, The Northman features a captivating sense of mysticism and fantasy. Through visions, prophecies, and the use of earth-magic – particularly by Anya Taylor-Joy’s character, Olga – the film weaves a rich and mature fantasy experience. The Northman skillfully blends grand concepts like magic and mythology with a grounded realism.

At its core, the film tells a straightforward but compelling story of revenge that will keep viewers engaged. However, it’s the thoughtful character development that elevates The Northman beyond a typical action movie, turning it into a deeper examination of mythology, historical brutality, and what it means to be a man. The way one character is connected to both the world and the protagonist, Amleth, is brilliantly integrated into the film’s underlying themes.

Whether it’s massive battle scenes or personal conflicts between enemies, The Northman is a captivating fantasy film that will appeal to even the most discerning fans. While a few R-rated fantasy movies have stood out over the years, this one is among the very best. It’s a complex and challenging story, both thematically and morally, and its bold artistic choices set a new standard for fantasy filmmaking today.

Anya Taylor-Joy Is Perfect To Push The Boundaries of Modern Fantasy Even Further

With Anya Taylor-Joy potentially starring in the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, her performance in The Northman is drawing a lot of attention. While some believe she might play a younger version of a character from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies, it’s also possible she’ll be taking on a completely new role in The Hunt for Gollum.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s unique look and experience with fantasy projects make her a strong contender for a significant role in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film. She’s quickly become a leading actress in high fantasy for adult audiences, and her understanding of the genre could help this new film stand out from previous adaptations. Her potential involvement in The Hunt for Gollum might even signal a fresh, distinct tone and atmosphere for the fantasy genre as a whole.

Anya Taylor-Joy has clearly demonstrated she’s capable of leading a large franchise, most recently with her impressive performance in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Therefore, casting her in a significant role in the future of The Lord of the Rings makes a lot of sense. Her work in The Northman showed she can bring a mature tone to fantasy stories, which could be exactly what fans are looking for in the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and everything Anya Taylor-Joy and the team have planned.

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2026-03-22 16:37