Film: The Death of Robin Hood

I used to love watching trailers. I always wanted to be in the know about what was coming up, building the anticipation for the big screen reveal. Then, I stopped. Too many things started being exposed in the trailers, ruining the excitement of the experience. I still miss having something to look forward to, but I also wouldn’t change my new rule for anything. There is nothing like walking into a theater with only the knowledge of a few actors and a minimal plot. I have been pleasantly surprised over and over again, but nothing compares to The Death of Robin Hood. 

This film absolutely blew me away. It’s been a really long time since I’ve watched a film that combines all the elements of what makes a film a film so seamlessly. Looking back on all aspects makes me sink into awe. I started thinking back to the other few films that have reignited my film spark, and they all have had one thing in common. They are all produced by A24. These films take the time to dive into the characters and the story that evolves in the individual universes. It’s not about spectacle or excitement; it’s about souls interacting with one another and battling themselves. We all know that reboots are becoming exhausting, but if you have A24 in front of the title, you are not getting a reboot. You are getting a new perspective that you didn’t even know you needed.

The Death of Robin Hood is about the later life of Robin, when the myth and the reality have become so convoluted that the lines blur. It’s the part in Robin’s life where, no matter the good, no matter the legacy, the only thing that remains for him is the horrific. Society prefers to focus on the attributes, but when it’s your life, you only see your faults. While one person might have been able to survive the winter on the little coin they received from the Hood, there are also the survivors of the ones who lost their bloated possessions. Two sides of One coin. Not necessarily something you would expect to explore with the legend of Robin Hood, but now I’m disappointed we haven’t gone there sooner.

This might be the first Robin Hood film that I’ve seen that doesn’t shy away from the devastation that was the 13th century. Nothing was romanticized, only the folk legends of the stories of Robin’s good deeds. The eerie landscapes, beautiful in their lushness yet frightful in their isolation, were another character within the film. Just like the conflict living within Robin, so does he live in the duality of the Middle Ages. This type of character sets the mood, allowing for all others that follow to strip themselves of prestige and dive into the complicated. 

With something so deeply rooted in the dark places of one’s self, the only way we can understand and see through the storm clouds is if we have something allowing us to truly see behind the mask. There are very few actors who know how to act with expression, and Hugh Jackman is the only one for Robin Hood. With a scowl on his face, the grit of her appearance, and the aggression of his demeanor still couldn’t hide the conflict behind his eyes. Having a ride or die like Little John in Edward, watching Bill Skarsgard never question the grey they lived in, yet still able to find love and peace, helped the audience recognize the duality fighting each other within Robin. When the reveal happens, and we see the slight shift in Jodie Comer’s shoulders, her resolve shatters, you truly understand that ‘ignorance is bliss’ does have its moments. 

Subtle yet powerful. Each of these actors is commanding on screen. They push and pull with each other, building the stakes and the connections, allowing them to build upon each other to bring forth an engaging and gut-wrenching story. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. It stuck with me for days after. As I was walking out of the theater, in stunned joy, I overheard someone say they thought the movie was too slow. In a split second, I was annoyed because most A24 are slow; it’s always about the story. Yet, as I thought more about it, it made me sad because that person won’t experience the same slow ignition that I had.

Movies serve as an escape for a lot of people from reality. The rewatches to ease anxiety, the colorful action to bring brightness into your world, and the fun to allow laughter in times of need. But film is something different. Film allows us to push past our need for escapism to find the spark of life hidden behind the entangled weeds of our boundaries. Film uses the spark of creativity and art to torch our souls to light the beacons within. Films find heart where there is darkness. For me, The Death of Robin Hood, in its shadowy world of duality, brought my love of the film experience back into existence.

Written by Lisa M Mejia
Images provided by A24