Robert Eggers Reveals How Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan Shaped The Northman—You Won’t Believe It!

When we think of Robert Eggers’ films, such as The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), the first words that come to mind are likely “haunting,” “atmospheric,” and “historically grounded.” Eggers is known for his meticulous attention to historical detail and his ability to infuse ancient myths with a chilling sense of realism. His approach to cinema tends to favor obscure influences, particularly those that dive deep into the darker corners of history and folklore. But surprisingly, Eggers has a very unlikely, somewhat unexpected influence from the 1980s that has seeped into his work—Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1982 cult classic, Conan the Barbarian.

Eggers’ latest epic, The Northman (2022), is a brutal, blood-soaked Viking tale that explores themes of vengeance, fate, and barbarism. The film draws heavily from Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology, with Eggers often citing his wife’s encouragement to read these ancient texts as a driving force behind his vision. But despite the scholarly influences, Eggers admits that there was an unconscious but undeniable inspiration from the over-the-top, muscle-bound action films of the 1980s—chiefly, Conan the Barbarian.

Speaking to Filmmaker Magazine, Eggers reflected on how Conan became a subconscious influence, saying, “Conan wasn’t something I was consciously trying to reference, but it was a very seminal film for myself as a kid and for Sjón as a teenager.” Sjón, Eggers’ co-writer, also shares a connection to the film, which makes their collective appreciation for the 1982 action flick even more significant. Eggers acknowledges that while Conan may not have been a deliberate reference in The Northman, the presence of its influence is undeniable. “I think it’s OK that there are a lot of unconscious Conan references in the film, but if someone were to rewatch Conan within the [next] year, they might think, ‘Wow, there is a lot [of Conan] in The Northman!’”

The connection between the two films may not be immediately obvious, especially given the stark difference in tone and intent. Conan the Barbarian, with its campy violence, exaggerated action, and larger-than-life performances, represents the glorified, mythic version of barbarism. In contrast, The Northman is a gritty and unrelenting portrayal of Viking life, underscored by Eggers’ trademark focus on the grim realities of the time. While Conan leans heavily into fantasy, The Northman strives for authenticity in its depictions of violence and revenge.

Yet, despite these differences, there are parallels. Both films share an underlying sense of mythic grandeur, a focus on vengeance, and a portrayal of brutal, visceral violence. As Eggers himself notes, the criticism both films received for their graphic depictions of violence is another point of connection. Conan faced its own share of backlash for its over-the-top brutality, just as The Northman did for its uncompromising approach to depicting the violent nature of Viking culture. For Eggers, this violence was essential to the story, grounding the film in a reality that wasn’t afraid to show the darker sides of human nature.

Interestingly, Eggers finds humor in how The Northman occasionally “feels like an ’80s or ’90s movie that has been directed by a semi-talented Soviet auteur… against his wishes.” This self-aware comment reveals Eggers’ understanding of how his film might evoke the spirit of the 1980s action genre, even though it was never his explicit intention. It’s as though, despite his carefully crafted artistic vision, he inadvertently channels the raw energy of films like Conan the Barbarian, which, at their core, were made to entertain with their larger-than-life characters and epic battles.

Eggers, in this sense, becomes a reluctant auteur of ’80s violence, albeit with a more refined and artistically driven approach. In The Northman, he absorbed those ’80s influences—characterized by big, bold action, and visceral conflict—and turned them into something new. The result is a film that marries high art with the unfiltered, bloody spectacle of a bygone era of cinema.

While The Northman may be rooted in ancient myths and sagas, it is clear that Eggers, like many filmmakers, cannot escape the deep-seated cultural influences of his youth, including films like Conan the Barbarian. What is most remarkable is how these influences have been seamlessly absorbed into Eggers’ oeuvre, leading to a work that, while academic and steeped in historical accuracy, still carries the echoes of 1980s blockbuster violence. And perhaps, in that unintentional homage to Conan, Eggers has found a way to honor both the mythic past and the pop-culture-driven present, creating a Viking epic that is as much a love letter to the action films of his youth as it is a brutal historical exploration.