‘The Northman’ Proves Why the World Needs More Movies Starring Björk
Björk is often credited for her odd style and unique music that her fans can’t get enough of. However, she has a lot of sides to her artistic talent that expands across multiple mediums. Björk returned back into acting with Robert Eggers’ The Northman, but the small role proves to be a real scene-stealer for the actor and leaves the viewer wanting more.
Björk has a limited filmography
The Northman certainly isn’t the first time that Björk impressed critics and audiences on the silver screen. She has a long list of music-related credits, but only a few that relate back to moviemaking in front of the camera. Björk first had her feature acting debut in 1990’s The Juniper Tree. However, she truly impressed audiences with her performance in 2000’s Dancer in the Dark. Next, she starred in 2005’s Drawing Restraint 9.
The Guardian reported that Björk stated she would never make another movie again after working with Lars von Trier on Dancer in the Dark. She made a Facebook post detailing her negative experience with him during the #MeToo movement. Björk alleged that von Trier committed “sexual harassment” during his interactions with her. He lashed out at the actor, calling her difficult to work with, including refusing to show up on set. Von Trier continues to deny any claim of sexual harassment.
‘The Northman’ once again proves why the world needs more Björk on the silver screen
The Northman tells the story of Price Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård), who is on the verge of becoming a man. However, everything changes when his uncle (Claes Bang) murders his father (Ethan Hawke). Björk plays the Seeress in The Northman, who reminds an adult Amleth of his promise to murder his uncle, avenge his father, and save his mother (Nicole Kidman).
The Seeress is a small role, but it has a massive impact on multiple levels. The makeup and hairstyling, as well as the costume and wardrobe department, create a look that fits at the intersection of The Northman‘s Viking aesthetic and Björk’s mind-bending fashion style.
However, Björk also leaves an impact thanks to her absolutely riveting, scene-stealing performance itself. She delivers the dialogue in a way that instantly draws the audience in. The role of the Seeress feels like it was made for Björk, allowing her to truly make the role her own.
Between The Juniper Tree and Dancer in the Dark, the actor shows an incredible range. The Northman further proves how Björk’s art is unusual, albeit remarkable. She can draw an audience in and make them hang on her every word in a way that feels effortless.
Björk also has a hand in the composition of the music in her movies, which makes perfect sense. This also contributes a certain musicality to her performances that is truly mesmerizing. Björk has an extraordinary sense of performance that the world has been robbed of at the movies for far too long.
Björk almost won an Oscar in her famous swan dress
Björk earned an abundance of praise out of her first two movies. She won Best Actress for Dancer in the Dark at the Cannes Film Festival and an Oscar nomination for Best Music, Original Song for the song “I’ve Seen It All” from the same movie.
The artist is the type of performer who could easily score an Oscar, among other prestigious awards, with the right project at the right time. She certainly has the acting chops, if she ultimately decides to return back to acting.
Björk turned in a show-stopping performance at the Academy Awards with her nominated song. She wore a swan dress that attracted a whole lot of attention at the ceremony.
Björk has a long-standing friendship with Sjón, who co-wrote The Northman, so it makes sense why she returned for Eggers’ film. However, there’s no saying whether or not she will decide to act once again. For the sake of audiences everywhere, hopefully, she returns to the silver screen sometime in the near future.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
