The Death of Robin Hood (2026) Review: A Grizzled Legend Faces His Last Reckoning

This The Death of Robin Hood review begins with a simple promise: this is not the merry, green-tights version of the outlaw. Writer-director Michael Sarnoski strips the legend down to a dying man and his regrets. The result is a moody, gothic film that rewards patience more than it thrills.

The Death of Robin Hood Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The The Death of Robin Hood plot is built on a stark idea. Robin Hood, badly wounded after years of crime and murder, is offered a way to save his soul by a mysterious woman. Accepting means looking hard at the life he has led.

The story draws on the old ballad Robin Hood's Death, credited to Anonymous, and Sarnoski wrote the screenplay himself. This is an action-adventure in name, but it moves like a mournful character study. Expect quiet rooms and heavy silences between the violent flashes.

If you are hoping for sword fights and heists in Sherwood, adjust your expectations early. The film cares more about conscience than conquest. For more in this vein, browse our Action movie reviews.

What Works in The Death of Robin Hood

The film's biggest strength is its vision. Critics have pointed to its coherent, heavily gothic look, and ScreenHub's Leah J. Williams gave it 3.5 out of 5 for that reason. Deadline calls it a brutal take on a legendary figure.

The tone is consistent. Violence, when it arrives, is bloody enough to earn the R rating for strong bloody violence, and it feels costly rather than fun. That fits a story about a man who has to answer for every life he took.

The soundtrack also deserves a mention, with a track titled "The Lamentations of Round Oak Waters" suiting the film's funereal mood.

The Death of Robin Hood Cast and Performances

The The Death of Robin Hood cast is led by Hugh Jackman as Robin, with Jodie Comer as Sister Brigid. MUBI's critic says Jackman earns his place in the canon of screen Robin Hoods by giving the character a grizzled, humane spin. That matches the film's whole approach.

The supporting players include:

• Bill Skarsgård as Edward (some listings name the role Little John; sources conflict)

• Murray Bartlett as The Leper

• Noah Jupe as Arthur, also listed as Godwyn

• Faith Delaney as Little Margaret

This is a strong lineup for a small, intimate story. The film leans heavily on faces and silences, so the actors carry a lot of weight.

Where The Death of Robin Hood Stumbles

Reception has been mixed, and the complaints are fair. Decider's John Serba calls the film mournful but bereft, with a streak of navel-gazing. MovieMeter says the beginning seems promising but quickly falls flat.

Pacing is the main issue. Audience comments describe a slow burn, and for some viewers that will feel like a crawl. At around two hours, the quiet stretches can test your patience.

The film's reluctance to deliver big adventure set pieces may also disappoint anyone who bought a ticket expecting a rousing outlaw romp. Its genre label is a little misleading.

Is The Death of Robin Hood Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a somber, atmospheric reinvention and can accept a slow pace. It is not a crowd-pleaser, but it is a distinctive swing at a character who has been adapted countless times.

Aggregate scores are scattered. MUBI shows 6.4 out of 10 from 68 ratings, while TMDB sits at 6.6, and IMDb figures vary by listing. That spread tells you the film divides viewers rather than failing outright.

The The Death of Robin Hood release date in the US was June 19, 2026, from A24. For background on the production, see the Wikipedia page for The Death of Robin Hood.

Who Will Enjoy The Death of Robin Hood

• Fans of Hugh Jackman who want to see him in a weathered, serious role.

• Viewers who like gothic, contemplative stories, such as those in our Adventure movie reviews.

• Anyone curious about a darker, A24-style reinterpretation of an old legend.

If you prefer pure momentum, our review of Onslaught offers a more relentless kind of action.