Sometimes a movie comes out that you can just tell will be forgotten by the general public almost immediately. This summer, there may be no greater example than The Death of Robin Hood, a film that despite some strengths came out with next to no marketing and barely scratched the box office top 10 in its opening weekend. This is a new release from A24 so small box office returns aren't the end all be all, but amongst the studio's catalogue this isn't one that separates itself much.
Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film stars Hugh Jackman as the titular Robin Hood, now late into his life and grappling with his history of crime and violence. After being brutally wounded in a battle alongside Little John (Bill Skarsgard), Robin wakes up on a remote island where a mysterious woman treats him. With his past still threatening to catch up to him, the mythic figure seeks to confront his deeds and find peace before his death.
There are some really interesting ideas here, namely the idea of positing this iconic character as far less morally sound than we're used to. It is touched on that he and Little John stole from the rich, but we also see the brutality at which they operate through an opening act that is jarringly violent. We are immediately asked to reconsider what we know of Robin Hood as a figure, putting him in almost a villainous role rather than the antihero he is typically depicted as. The rest of the film sees him reckoning with that past, and while seeing him essentially debunking himself as a figure, I do wish the film kept up the pace from the opening.
We start things out with such a gripping brutality, that as much as the rest of the film humanizes the character, it does drag along quite a bit. Sarnoski is aided by some delicious visuals and a score that harkens back to other stories of this ilk, but I just wish we got more strong emotion after the insane opening. Robin essentially becomes a father figure to Little John's daughter, which is where some of the best moments in the latter half of the film come in, but that relationship just isn't quite developed enough to fully carry the film.
Performance wise there isn't much to complain about. Jackman is solid in the leading role, nothing special but he carries the film decently well. Bill Skarsgard doesn't see much screen time but is thrillingly unhinged when he does show up. Jodie Comer is the real highlight of the cast, offering a sense of comfort in her performance while also toiling with complicated feelings towards Robin. I also really loved Faith Delaney as Little John's daughter, one of the better child performances we'll see this year.
I enjoyed the film and the ideas it tackles, but I can't help but feel like this was a bit forgettable. Stylistically it almost feels like a Robert Eggers movie, but lacks the hook that would allow it any staying power. Solid movie but not one to write home about. 3/5
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