The Northman, the latest movie from auteur director Robert Eggers, is a violent and metaphysical rendition of Hamlet set during the age of the Vikings. The film is a brutal revenge tale following Prince Amleth’s quest to avenge his father and save his mother after his uncle usurps the throne. You don’t have to be an expert in Norse mythology to know that if you plan on murdering your way to Valhalla, you’ll need some sick traps and abs to accomplish your goal. To prepare for the lead role in The Northman, Alexander Skarsgård worked out intensely and changed his diet to become a warrior prince hellbent on vengeance. 

Alexander Skarsgård’s physical appearance has been vital in his most-seen roles

Amleth isn’t the first mythological character Alexander Skarsgård has played. His mainstream breakthrough was in the HBO series True Blood as vampire Eric Northman (no relation). Since then, many of the Swedish actor’s signature performances are variations on a theme: conventionally handsome men with more going on behind their eyes than the outside world knows, for better and worse.