Viking

Viking

Year: 2016

Runtime: 133 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Andrey Kravchuk

DramaHistoryAction

In the early Middle Ages, a clan is torn by discord following the accidental death of a brother. The Grand Duke bears the guilt, and the law dictates that revenge must be taken by his younger, illegitimate brother. Faced with a moral conflict, the younger brother risks losing everything for refusing to comply with the brutal tradition, highlighting the harsh realities of the time and the belief that maintaining peace often requires more violence than war.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Viking yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Viking (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Viking (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

10th century

The events take place after the death of Svyatoslav I, during the rule of his sons Yaropolk, Oleg, and Vladimir. The film traces a brutal power struggle marked by assassinations, sieges, and shifting loyalties that define the early Kievan Rus'. It culminates in Vladimir's consolidation of power and a turning moment toward Christian transformation.

Location

Polotsk, Kyiv, Dnieper

The action unfolds across Polotsk and Kyiv in the early Kievan Rus'. Polotsk serves as a fortified seat under Rogvolod, a focal point of siege and political maneuvering. Kyiv functions as the political capital where rival factions converge, while the Dnieper River provides a strategic lifeline that shapes campaigns and culminates in the mass baptism scene.

🏰 Medieval Rus 🗺️ Frontier cities 🌊 Dnieper river

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

Main Characters – Viking (2016)

Meet the key characters of Viking (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vladimir (Danila Kozlovsky)

A volatile Rus prince whose appetite for power drives the plot. He leads brutal acts, including sieges and coercive decisions, and relies on Viking mercenaries to cement his authority. Throughout the story he wrestles with guilt and, by the end, hints at a possible spiritual awakening.

🗡️ Ambition 🛡️ Leadership 🌊 Guilt

Yaropolk (Aleksandr Ustyugov)

Svyatoslav’s son and early ruler, whose political maneuvering keeps the realm on edge. His death catalyzes the subsequent power struggle and escalates the brothers’ conflict. His death also sets the stage for Vladimir’s ascent and the ensuing feuds.

🗡️ Rivalry 👑 Power 🧭 Strategy

Oleg (Kirill Pletnyov)

A prince whose ambition sparks the initial clash with Yaropolk and Vladimir. He is driven to force his way through to the gates, but is ultimately cut down, illustrating the ruthlessness of palace politics.

⚔️ Aggression 🏁 Ambition 💥 Rivalry

Rogvolod (Andrey Smolnyakov)

Polotsk’s lord and father of Rogneda. His leadership and his refusal to bow to Vladimir set the siege in motion. His death becomes a catalyst for the war between the brothers and their mercenaries.

🏰 Rule 🕊️ Fatherhood ⚖️ Authority

Rogneda (Aleksandra Bortich)

Daughter of Rogvolod who becomes a pawn and then a tragic figure in the marriage politics surrounding Vladimir. Her insult sparks a personal and political conflict that reverberates through the siege and treaty talks.

❤️ Love 💬 Diplomacy 🧭 Alliance

Sveneld (Maksim Sukhanov)

A veteran warrior from Svyatoslav’s circle who tries to manage conflicts and navigate shifting loyalties. He plays a crucial role in the political chess game and ultimately escapes the fallout of the upheaval.

🧭 Strategy 🛡️ Veteran 🔄 Manipulation

Varyazhko (Igor Petrenko)

A loyal follower who channels Yaropolk’s death into a broader rebellion, assembling a host of Pechenegs. He embodies the brink between loyalty and treachery in the pursuit of power.

🛡️ Rebellion 💰 Ambition ⚔️ Conflict

Anastas (Paweł Deląg)

A Christian bishop who offers Vladimir spiritual absolution and guides him toward repentance. His intervention pivots the story toward faith and moral reckoning.

✝️ Faith 🕊️ Guidance 🧭 Morality

Irina (Svetlana Khodchenkova)

Yaropolk’s Christian wife who navigates the political and religious currents surrounding the brothers. She helps broker negotiations, serving as a stabilizing, albeit cautious, voice in the turmoil.

👑 Diplomacy 🛡️ Influence 🤝 Alliance

Fyodor (Vladimir Yepifantsev)

A loyal warrior whose family is entwined with Vladimir’s destiny. His death and the death of his son during ritual pressure highlight the human costs of the power struggle.

🗡️ Loyalty 👶 Family 💔 Sacrifice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

Major Themes – Viking (2016)

Explore the central themes of Viking (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Power

Power struggles drive the narrative as brothers and Viking factions clash over legitimacy and lands. Vladimir's ascent hinges on control of Polotsk, Kyiv, and mercenaries, while Sveneld and others maneuver behind the scenes. The film shows how ambition fuels brutal decisions, including murder, siege, and political purges. Loyalties shift as rulers attempt to outwit rivals, revealing the brutal logic of rulership.

⚔️ War

Mercenaries and Viking forces shape every major confrontation. Sieges, betrayals, and ruthless tactics highlight how external warriors tilt the balance of power. The Berserker attack marks a turning point, testing Vladimir's resolve and control. War exposes how alliances are bought, broken, or bent to the demands of survival.

✝️ Faith

Religious faith and forgiveness become a counterweight to brutality. Anastas offers spiritual absolution, challenging Vladimir to confront his sins. The narrative culminates in a mass baptism that signals a possible moral rebirth. Faith reframes political legitimacy as something more than force.

👑 Legitimacy

Who has the right to rule drives the political arc. The murder of Yaropolk and the manipulation of rival factions test claims to sovereignty. Vladimir's ultimate decision to seek peace and ally with Byzantines reframes legitimacy as both political and spiritual. The ending implies governance rooted in repentance and communal renewal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:58

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Brutal Historical Power Struggles like in Viking

Epic tales of violent succession and moral compromise in harsh historical settings.Looking for movies like Viking? This thread gathers historical epics defined by their brutal violence and morally complex power struggles. If you enjoyed the grim depiction of medieval succession wars and the high-stakes political tension in Viking, you'll find similar stories here.

brutalepicgrimtenseviolentsomberpolitical

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a central figure thrust into a violent contest for a throne, kingdom, or legacy. The journey is linear and driven by conflict, forcing the protagonist to commit increasingly dark acts, questioning their own morality in the process. The story unfolds through epic battles, betrayals, and the harsh enforcement of tradition.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared commitment to depicting the unvarnished brutality of historical conflict, their high emotional and violent intensity, and their exploration of the moral decay that often accompanies the pursuit of power.

Bittersweet Redemption Arcs like in Viking

Protagonists who achieve a hard-won spiritual peace after a path of bloodshed.Discover movies with endings similar to Viking, where victory comes at a great personal cost and is followed by a profound, bittersweet resolution. If you were moved by the protagonist's difficult path from brutal warlord to a figure seeking spiritual peace, explore these stories of hard-won redemption.

bittersweetmelancholicintrospectiveviolentsomberredemptiveheavy

Narrative Summary

The narrative arc follows a protagonist who becomes deeply morally compromised by their actions, which are necessary within the context of their world's brutal rules. The story builds towards a final act where physical conquest is paired with a spiritual or ideological transformation, resulting in an ending that feels both hopeful and mournful for all that was destroyed to reach it.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by a specific emotional and narrative pattern: a heavy, violent journey that culminates in a bittersweet ending where a form of peace or redemption is achieved, but the scars of the journey remain deeply felt.

Unlock the Full Story of Viking

Don't stop at just watching — explore Viking in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Viking is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Viking Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Viking, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Viking Summary

Viking Timeline

Track the full timeline of Viking with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Viking Timeline

Viking Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Viking that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Viking Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Viking

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Viking: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Viking