The Death Of Robin Hood Movie Review (2026)
A historical drama imagining Robin Hood’s final days, inspired by historical accounts, The Death Of Robin Hood is visually striking and heavily violent, but never becomes more than interesting.
I have always had a soft spot for the Robin Hood story. Much like Camelot, the mythology is fascinating, and I’ve always wished that there was more to learn. Most movies and television shows about Robin Hood are about his life as a bandit with his Merry Men. There are variations, of course (Robin Hood: Men In Tights is very different from the boring Robin Hood with Russell Crowe or Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, where Alan Rickman steals the show), but they all tell essentially the same lore. So, when I heard the name of this film, I knew I was going to watch it.
The Death Of Robin Hood takes place during the last year of Robin Hood’s life. Living off the land, far from civilization, he is constantly targeted by the descendants of people he has murdered over the years. Eventually meeting up with the man he has always known as Little John, Robin asks about the life he’s been living since they last met. Little John says that he is living as Edward, married to Margaret, with a daughter, little Margaret, and men have taken them. The pair then fight the captors and escape with little Margaret, and Robin is now near death. John leaves Robin and little Margaret on the remote island, Priory of St. Clement, with Sister Brigid, who nurses Robin back to health. As no one knows who Robin is, he is able to find a different way of life with the people on the island.
This is a drama that displays the life of Robin Hood in a way you’ve never seen before. He is not hanging with the guys, celebrating their latest financial conquest and offering it to the poor. He is a broken man who lives off the land, defending himself as he needs to, and waiting for his life to be over.
There are two main things that stuck out to me about this film. First, it is unbelievably violent. The deaths are brutal, the blood runs frequently, and some people live through these attacks, the results of which you see clearly. I didn’t have a problem with the display because I think it is likely more grounded in reality than any hero film we have, but there are times when it feels a little tedious and unnecessary to go as far as it’s pushed.
Second, according to the legend of Robin Hood and his gravesite, he died around December 24, 1247, the year in which this film is set. There is a ballad written about how he died, as aided by another person, and that is generally what happens in this film. I won’t give away the ending, but you can look that up for yourself (search “Robin Hood’s Grave”), and it is on point.
The movie itself is very somber, and you never develop a real interest in any of the characters or their plights. It is visually beautiful, with darker colors and a haunting quality, and both Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer are committed, though not as captivating as I’d hoped.
Overall, The Death Of Robin Hood is the kind of film that you may be drawn to because of the history, and I’m glad that I watched it because it’s right up my alley. That said, it never becomes engrossing, and, when it ended, I realized that I’d been hoping for more than I received. This is a good addition to the cinematic catalog of Robin Hood, but, on its own, it’s nothing to specifically seek out.
Runtime: 121 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, but only if the Robin Hood story intrigues you
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Available: Currently in theaters
