The Death of Robin Hood

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Set in the 13th century, this is no Robin in green tights with merry men. This Hood (Hugh Jackman) is a long way from the myths of the Sheriff, Maid Marion, and stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Rather, he’s a grizzled, violent outlaw, tired of life and a continual target of revenge-seekers. When old friend Little John (Bill Skarsgård) finds him and needs help, it takes Robin on a journey that leads to violence and death. When this almost becomes his final battle, he ends up in a priory under the care of Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer), where he begins to face up to his past — redemption, or will it catch up with him?

One of my favourite quotes about The Shawshank Redemption is that there’s a lot of Shawshank before you get any redemption. The Death of Robin Hood goes further: this is all Shawshank.

This is a grim, gritty tale, and at times hard work to watch. It presents the familiar legend as a vicious outlaw, and the first half makes that reality clear. The second half changes tack, as we meet Comer’s Brigid and the island priory commune, challenging Hood with his past. In Brigid he meets compassion, no questions asked, driven by her own tragic history. He’s also challenged by a wise leper (Murray Bartlett), as well as a new visitor to the island.

The biggest challenge for me is that so much of it feels a slog — dark and visceral in its opening, but slow and ponderous towards its conclusion. Is it worth it? If the aim is redemption for Hood, that’s questionable. If it’s whether his actions help others find their own way through, then maybe.

Even at its hardest, there’s things to enjoy — Jackman and Comer are good value as ever, Bartlett and Skarsgård strong in support, and Faith Delaney impressive as Little John’s daughter.

It’s well shot, with impressive landscapes doing a lot of the storytelling. For all its slog, it’s strangely compelling, leaving me wanting to see where it headed rather than wanting it to end.

It’s not light-hearted popcorn fare, but there’s something there if you’re prepared to look for it.