Valhalla Rising

Valhalla Rising is one of those films that comes along rarely and disappears into obscurity before it truly gets noticed. The movie is a brutal expression of beauty with existential questions. One Eye is a tremendous character that is shown in all his base brutality, yet he has not lost his humanity. He does what it takes to survive and protect those important to him. The use of a small boy as a “sidekick” figure is a stroke of brilliance. In a world of unmitigated cruelty, One Eye finds a place in his heart for a child. Even though he doesn’t utter a word, his emotional state is clear. It is a mark of a truly gifted actor to be able to deliver such a vivid portrayal without speaking. The plot of the film is ripe with legend and intrigue, and it is an overall satisfying romp.

The strongest point of the film is its incredible camera work, and the striking visuals would make the movie worth seeing if the film had nothing else to offer. The camera angels are employed by a true artist, and the surreal and disturbing scenes grab the viewer by the throat and send waves of discomfort to the soul. It is not that the movie is overtly oppressive; it is simply capable of delivering a feeling of “creepiness” and otherworldly flavor better than most films I have seen. The fact that One Eye sees things with his one eye that others do not nods to ancient beliefs and gives credit to its literary predecessors.

The only negative aspect of the film, to me, is the chapters. They seem to break the film up into acts in an unnecessary manner. Honestly, the movie is so well crafted that the distinction of parts is unnecessary, and I found them somewhat distracting. I understand the convention, but it feels as if the director is trying to hand hold the audience a bit. Some of the imagery in certain segments will strike the viewer as odd and difficult to understand. This film requires you to use your brain and have a basic to advanced understanding of symbolism to understand certain scenes. In particular, the act entitled “Hell,” has some bizarre occurrences and requires some symbolic extrapolation to digest. This segment portrays vice, filth, ritual, and madness with perfect clarity. It is disturbing and disgusting in places. Everything is dirty, gray and grimy.

The power of Valhalla Rising rests in its ability to suck the viewer into the rich visuals and complex plot devices it gives out in wondrous measure. It is not a happy movie. It is not for the lame of brain. It is a beautiful piece of violent art that slips quietly into the nether regions of the barbarian heart and finds morality and hope inside. It is a picture of the depraved, the fanatical, the insane, and is a vision of one man willing to do what he needs to do to cross the gates of life into the pages of legend.