Actor Hugh Jackman stars as a battle-worn, unheroic outlaw in writer-director Michael Sarnoski’s revisionist feature film The Death of Robin Hood, per variety.com.
Distributed by A24, the elegiac drama rejects traditional Hollywood adventure tropes to deliver a solemn, de-romanticised character study focused on spiritual reckoning, guilt and the pursuit of redemption.
The narrative draws inspiration from an alternate account in the ancient ballad A Gest of Robyn Hode. Set in 1247, the story introduces an aging, jaded Robin Hood living as a nomadic killer seeking an end to his life. His isolation is interrupted by Little John, played by Bill Skarsgård, who requests assistance to defend his family from past adversaries.
Following an opening half-hour marked by intense, muddy combat, the rhythm shifts significantly when a severely wounded Robin seeks shelter at a peaceful priory. There, he is nursed by Sister Brigid, portrayed by Jodie Comer, who runs the sanctuary for those displaced by prevailing wartime terror.
The film transitions into a quiet, internal drama within the priory walls. Robin interacts with a resident leper, played by Murray Bartlett, an orphaned young girl played by Faith Delaney, and an injured youth portrayed by Noah Jupe. These interactions frame the outlaw’s final attempt to bridge the gap between his brutal reality and his legendary reputation.
Shot on textured 35mm film by cinematographer Pat Scola, the production departs from standard summer studio features through its atmospheric, earth-toned design and somber tone. While the narrative pace leans toward dourness and keeps the central character somewhat detached, the film represents a distinct, authorial statement from Sarnoski following his recent work on studio franchise prequel A Quiet Place: Day One.
The release marks a return to the melancholic, character-driven focus of Sarnoski’s acclaimed debut feature Pig. By opting for an internal, platonic deconstruction of a heavily adapted folk legend, the film functions as a counter-programming entry within the contemporary, franchise-heavy cinema landscape.
•Featured image courtesy of A24
