Historical epic based on one of the oldest poems in the English language. King Hrothgar of Denmark (Stellan Skarsgard) murders a troll that has been terrorising his countryside. However, he decides to spare the life of the troll's strange young son, Grendel (Ingvar Sigurdsson), who later becomes a fearsome warrior determined to avenge his father's death. As Grendel begins to slaughter the king's closest confidants, Hrothgar realises that his life is in danger, and he calls upon Beowulf (Gerard Butler) to track down and kill Grendel. As Beowulf searches for the vicious and elusive Grendel, he crosses paths with Selma (Sarah Polley), a beautiful witch whose alliances are divided between Beowulf and his enemy.