Phil Roberts 
Powered by Hugh Jackman’s towering performance, breathtakingly gloomy cinematography, and a musical score that defies expectations, The Death of Robin Hood is a cinematic spectacle worthy of every last piece of gold in Prince John’s vault.
We all have our favorite version of Robin Hood. Whether you grew up singing along with Walt Disney’s animated classic, cheering on Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, or rooting for one of the countless other interpretations of Sherwood Forest’s most famous outlaw, the legend has been woven into our pop culture for generations.
But what happens when a visionary filmmaker and a phenomenal writer decide to strip away the familiar folklore and dig beneath the legend to explore the man behind the myth? That’s where The Death of Robin Hood enters the forest, promising a darker, more intimate, and far more complex take on one of history’s most enduring heroes. Starring Hugh Jackman in another meaty role tailor-made for him to sink his teeth into, The Death of Robin Hood promises to peel back the layers of the legend and reveal a side of the outlaw we’ve rarely seen before.
But can the film deliver on that promise and breathe new life into one of cinema’s most familiar heroes? Or is The Death of Robin Hood destined to become another run-of-the-mill bow-and-arrow bonanza lost in Sherwood Forest?
REVIEW
Fear not, film fans, because Michael Sarnoski’s The Death of Robin Hood is a medieval powerhouse. Anchored by a commanding performance from Hugh Jackman, the film delivers an intimate and deeply personal exploration of one of history’s most legendary outlaws. Moving, visceral, and unflinchingly brutal, this is a Robin Hood story with plenty of bite—and a masterclass in grounded storytelling.
The finished product may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying the strength of Sarnoski’s vision. This is arguably the grittiest, heaviest, and most grounded take on the Robin Hood legend we’ve seen. With its dark and gloomy cinematography, brutal violence, and uncompromising realism, The Death of Robin Hood is a bold cinematic triumph that takes a familiar legend and gives it a refreshingly raw new edge.
HUGH JACKMAN
Casting Hugh Jackman as the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forest is no small feat, but Michael Sarnoski has pulled off an absolute masterstroke. Jackman is nothing short of phenomenal in this visceral character study, bringing his considerable talent to a role that demands depth, conviction, and plenty of intensity. His performance transforms Robin Hood into a character many cinephiles simply won’t be expecting. Forget the light-hearted adventures of Disney’s Robin Hood or the rebellious youngster-turned-hero of the MGM+ series. This Robin Hood is something else entirely. Weathered, brutal, broken, and utterly despicable, he is a fallen hero haunted by the weight of the name he once wore with pride.
Now living deep in the moors of Old England, Robin has retreated from civilization and resigned himself to a harsh existence in the wilderness. He wants nothing more than to die, viewing death as the long-overdue escape from the burden of his own legend. Yet the legend refuses to die with him.
People still travel from far and wide in search of the mythical Robin Hood, hoping the great outlaw will come to their aid. Instead, they discover a hardened and merciless killer, a man so consumed by the stigma surrounding his name that even he can no longer remember whether he was ever the hero everyone believed him to be. It’s a fascinating reinvention of the character, and Jackman sinks his teeth into every bitter, bruised, and broken moment.
A MASTERCLASS
Although the film boasts a terrific supporting cast, with brilliantly weighted performances from Jodie Comer as Sister Brigid and Bill Skarsgård as Little John, they inevitably find themselves overshadowed by Jackman. This isn’t the heroic outlaw we know and cherish. This Robin Hood is a cruel, fallen man tortured by the legacy of his own name, and thanks to Jackman’s extraordinary performance, we don’t simply witness his burden—we feel it alongside him.
It’s a brutal experience. At times, we find ourselves cheering Robin on, particularly when fleeting glimpses of the hero we know and love rise to the surface. But just when we think redemption might be within reach, he commits an act so shocking that all hope seems lost. And yet, somehow, we continue to rally behind him, willing this broken man to find his way back to the light.
To their credit, Comer and Skarsgård provide fascinating counterpoints to Jackman’s performance. Like Robin, Skarsgård’s Little John is a fierce and battle-hardened warrior capable of acts of astonishing violence. Yet beneath that brutality lies a surprisingly tender, family-oriented side that constantly challenges our perception of him. It’s a terrific performance that proves there’s far more to Little John than meets the eye.
SUPPORTING CAST
Jodie Comer’s Sister Brigid, meanwhile, offers Robin a window into the life he has left behind. She represents the goodness that still exists in the world and carries a tragic backstory of her own, one that is intimately connected to the very legacy Robin has come to despise. Through her, the film gets room to breathe, allowing us to explore the crushing weight of Robin Hood’s reputation while slowly peeling back the layers of a past he can no longer fully remember.
And that’s where the film becomes truly fascinating. Is this Robin Hood nothing more than a false hero—a cruel, heartless cutthroat hiding behind a legendary name? Or is the spirit of one of England’s greatest heroes still buried somewhere beneath the bloodshed, confusion, and regret? The film doesn’t make the answer easy, and that’s precisely what makes Robin’s journey so compelling. This is a Robin Hood story with real substance, a narrative you can sink your teeth into, and that is precisely why it won’t be for everyone. Aside from a brutally effective opening sequence, the film largely leaves the bombastic action spectacle of previous adaptations behind. Instead, it settles into a dark, gritty, and unapologetic character study that takes its time and allows its story to breathe.
This is old-school filmmaking in the best possible sense. Michael Sarnoski understands exactly what he wants to say and, rather than chasing spectacle for spectacle’s sake, lets the characters and their journeys take center stage. The result is a bold, uncompromising piece of cinema that feels refreshingly different—and, in this reviewer’s eyes, nothing short of cinematic gold.
IS IT A CLASSIC?
Crafting a story with this much intensity requires every department to be firing on all cylinders, and Michael Sarnoski has clearly brought out the very best in his team. From Pat Scola’s dark, gritty, and wonderfully dreary cinematography to Jim Ghedi’s evocative, old-English-inspired score, every element works together to immerse us in the harsh beauty of medieval England. Ghedi’s brilliantly conceived music is particularly haunting against the backdrop of the rugged, sweeping moors. Together, the score and landscape almost become characters in their own right, adding an ever-present sense of melancholy and isolation to Robin’s journey.
Scola’s cinematography is equally striking. It’s beautiful in its bleakness, capturing the unforgiving nature of the landscape while never quite managing to hide the breathtaking splendor of the English countryside. In many ways, the entire film feels like a time capsule, transporting us into an era of harsh living, period dialects, authentic costumes, and brutal afflictions.
And that’s what makes it so compelling. Unlike previous interpretations of the legend, The Death of Robin Hood feels as though it genuinely belongs to its time. The romanticism has largely been stripped away, leaving behind something far more raw, authentic, and grounded. It’s medieval England without the rose-tinted glasses—and the result is all the more fascinating for it.
VERDICT
Overall, The Death of Robin Hood is a sensational piece of cinematic gold. It’s a haunting exploration of England’s greatest outlaw that strips away the bells and whistles and delivers a raw, gritty, compelling, and often deeply emotional story. Once it grabs hold, it refuses to let go. This is a story that commands our attention, challenges everything we think we know about the legend, and gives us plenty of meaty material to sink our teeth into.
While audiences craving wall-to-wall action and explosive spectacle may come away disappointed, those looking for a tangible, brilliantly layered story filled with moments of shock, horror, and heartbreaking tenderness will leave thoroughly satisfied. This is a wholly different Robin Hood story—one that challenges our perceptions, transports us to medieval England, churns the stomach, and ultimately breaks the heart. It isn’t the version of Robin Hood you’ll necessarily want to remember, but the shadow it casts will be incredibly difficult to shake.
This is cinema at its most compelling, and Michael Sarnoski deserves enormous credit for his sharp, engaging screenplay and assured directorial vision. Powered by Hugh Jackman’s towering performance, breathtakingly gloomy cinematography, and a musical score that defies expectations, The Death of Robin Hood is a cinematic spectacle worthy of every last piece of gold in Prince John’s vault.
So, from quiver to bow, load your arrows, take aim at the heart, and let loose!
The Death of Robin Hood brings the myth to life in cinemas on September 4th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
