Take a look at the second official trailer to arrive for The Northman, the Viking epic from The Witch and The Lighthouse filmmaker Robert Eggers.

The story is based on the legend of Amleth, the medieval Scandinavian legend that served as inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet. Alexander SkarsgÃ¥rd takes on the lead role, playing a Viking prince who embarks on a bloody journey to avenge his father’s murder at the hands of Fjölnir the Brotherless (Claes Bang, The Square).

Rave early reviews for this one, with an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing. Word is that it’s one hell of a gnarly experience, with a strong sense of artistry and even beauty driving the blood-soaked insanity.

As for the reports that Eggers wasn’t happy with studio interference and having qualms with the final product – a narrative that kicked off after a New Yorker interview, the filmmaker has clarified his position. Talking to The Guardian, Eggers said it was the test screening process that jarred him, but that the studio ultimately helped him make the film he had originally pitched them.

“My first two films were all tested for marketing, but I didn’t have to change anything. So this was new, and as much as I didn’t like that process, I did learn something from it. But more than that, this is the film I wanted to make. This is my director’s cut. The studio pressure made the film what I originally pitched to them, which was the most entertaining Robert Eggers movie I could make. Honestly, without their pressure, I couldn’t have done that.”

The Northman, also starring Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk, will open in Australian cinemas on April 21st and U.S. cinemas on April 22nd.

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