Director Michael Sarnoski has churned out some great flicks lately with PIG in 2021 and A Quiet Place: Day One in 2024. Now he is teaming up with Hugh Jackman for a new twist on the famed archer’s legacy with The Death of Robin Hood co-starring Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe. Could this latest take on the legendary character hit the mark or is it aiming too high?

​

The Death of Robin Hood follows Robin Hood, grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance at salvation.

 

For those not in the know this is not your usual Robin Hood tale. This is a dark take on the 17th century ballad Robin Hood’s Death which is considered possibly one of the oldest existing tales of Robin Hood. The story takes a more realistic direction of the man that the legend was built around and the true nature of him. There are elements of all the lore fans know but weaved throughout in an interesting way as we found out the truth of the legend here.

 

This is not an action-packed film, but kicks things off with some violently blood action pieces before settling on the island of this secluded community. This is more of a journey of one man searching for death, finding life and the past coming back to claim the truth. It is a compelling look into the lore that works on every level. This isn’t an uplifting happily ever after fairy tale, it is deep, dark and heavy in a good way and takes you on an emotional journey.

 

The action that is here is great with none of the usual Hollywood flair, but instead a dirty, bloody chaos of violence that leaves bodies in its wake. Robin Hood is not some unstoppable force, but still a force to be reckoned with and made clear to the bodies he left in his path throughout his life as a criminal.