A Dark Revisionist Take on Robin Hood Hits Theaters

Michael Sarnoski’s “The Death of Robin Hood” premiered June 10 in New York and is now in theaters. It follows Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman), gravely wounded in a skirmish, who is taken to an isolated priory where Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer) tends his injuries. The plot draws on medieval ballads “A Gest of Robyn Hode” and “Robin Hoode His Death,” presenting Robin as a self-loathing outlaw haunted by legend of stealing from rich.

Watching “The Death of Robin Hood” with Susan GrangerPeople MagazineWHBF - Quad Cities NewsPat Scola Hits A Bullseye with The Death of Robin HoodPeople Magazine

Screenplay leans on ballads, while director Michael Sarnoski—known for “Pig”—shapes the bleak tone. The cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, Noah Jupe and Faith Delaney. Pat Scola (ASC) serves as cinematographer. A24 produces and distributes.

Pat Scola Hits A Bullseye with The Death of Robin Hood

The film was shot on 3-perf 35 mm using Panavision Ultra Panatar II lenses—the 3-perf production with these lenses—producing a 2.39:1 widescreen image for first third, then shifting to a tighter aspect inside the priory. Runtime is 2 h 3 min; it is rated R for graphic violence.

Pat Scola Hits A Bullseye with The Death of Robin Hood

Jackman described the role as cathartic, saying it revealed a beauty in death. Comer praised Jackman's humility and his effort to make the crew feel at ease while adding levity. Scola explained that the crew examined every line of the script during preparation, allowing visual decisions to influence revisions. Sarnoski cited Hildegard von Bingen as inspiration for Sister Brigid, seeking a nuanced moral view.

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A Quad Cities reviewer warned that the opening sequence “nearly make me sick with gallons of grue and ghastly violence,” giving two stars and deeming the film unsuitable for families. Westport Journal rated it a “murky, morbid 3,” noting limited appeal beyond cinephiles who enjoy brutality. Critics praised Jackman’s and Comer’s performances and called visual style “beautiful” when not focused on gore. Audience members at New York premiere reported a “calm” atmosphere and a “gentle glow” in scenes.

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People magazine emphasizes Jackman’s levity and collaborative spirit on set, while outlets foreground film’s graphic intensity and limited family suitability. No box-office numbers or audience-survey data have been released, leaving commercial impact unclear.

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• “I mean, what you see is what you get with him. He cares about the work, like myself,” — Jodie Comer, Actress

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• “There's a beauty to death, to the ending,” — Hugh Jackman, Actor-producer

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• “When we prep a film, we sit in a room and go through every word of the script,” — Pat Scola, Cinematographer

Pat Scola Hits A Bullseye with The Death of Robin Hood

• “The look of the film is beautiful, at least when limbs aren’t being torn asunder.” — Quad Cities reviewer

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The Death of Robin Hood remains in theatrical release. Critics continue to evaluate its dark revisionist take as the film runs in cinemas.

Watching “The Death of Robin Hood” with Susan Granger