by Henry Pham

It looks like Wolverine and Little John are running through the forest, jumping fences, dodging trees, and trying to get away. Just a little warning: this is not a kids’ movie, since it is an A24 production, not a Disney production or something like that. It’s a dark thriller movie featuring Hugh Jackman, who is one of Hollywood’s top actors for any kind of movie genre. He has gone from starring in superhero films to musical films and thriller films. The Death of Robin Hood takes place in 1247 and follows an aged Robin Hood who, grappling with his violent past, finds himself gravely injured after a battle that he thought would be his last. He soon gets a chance at salvation when he meets a mysterious woman and a young girl.

Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, X-Men films) stars as Robin Hood, delivering a performance marked by warmth and strength, even as the character endures significant physical hardship. Jackman remains true to the source material, drawing inspiration from previous portrayals of Robin Hood, such as Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and from actors in dark-fantasy genres, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The supporting cast—Jodie Comer (BBC’s Killing Eve), Bill Skarsgård (It films), Murray Bartlett (HBO’s The White Lotus), Faith Delaney, and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place films)—adds depth to the story through nuanced performances as both allies and adversaries, enriching the film’s moral complexity and supporting Jackman’s character development.

This dark adaptation of the 17th-century English ballad marks Michael Sarnoski’s third directorial project. He previously directed Pig (starring Nicolas Cage) and A Quiet Place: Day One (produced by John Krasinski). While the story is adequate, it often feels dull and underwhelming due to slow pacing. The film’s strengths lie in its makeup, hairstyling, costume design, and Jackman’s performance, which recalls his role as Wolverine.

The entire atmosphere of the film feels raw and intense, reminiscent of directors like Ridley Scott, John Krasinski, Peter Jackson, or Sam Raimi—known for dark fantasy and thriller films. Pat Scola’s cinematography is understated, and Jim Ghedi’s orchestral score effectively complements the film’s tone and setting. The detailed shots of Ireland are particularly impressive. However, several violent scenes are dark, brutal, and graphic, making the film unsuitable for younger audiences (akin to Disney’s Return to Oz and Ron Howard’s Willow). This approach aligns with the director’s commitment to the source material, and it’s certainly live up to its title.

I wasn’t sure how well the film performed in terms of critics’ reviews, but Hugh Jackman hunts and kills mercilessly in The Death of Robin Hood. It’s not bad, but not entirely great. Though the source material is well-written. Despite the gritty story, I would give this a one-view shot, but it is definitely not suitable for young viewers or children, even if they are Robin Hood fans (Note: if you want my advice, get your kids to rewatch Disney’s Robin Hood at home). If you love Robin Hood and/or Hugh Jackman, then this is the ticket for you at the movie theater, but it’s for mature adults who can handle seeing gore and blood on the big screen. The film clocks in at two hours and three minutes.

GRADE: C