Hugh Jackman's 'The Death of Robin Hood' Is a Violent, Divisive Reckoning With a Legend

If you think you know Robin Hood, Michael Sarnoski's new film makes it clear you don't. Premiering at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, The Death of Robin Hood is a radical, R-rated reimagining that trades merry men and romantic heroism for brutal violence and a crushing sense of regret. The critical verdict is in, and it's a messy one: a barely "Fresh" 64% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 22 reviews, with a corresponding Metacritic score of 62 based on 15 reviews, signaling a generally favorable but deeply divided reception .

The one thing nearly everyone agrees on is Hugh Jackman's performance. Critics describe his turn as the dying outlaw as raw, powerful, and a career high point . The division is over everything else.

A Brutal, Blood-Drenched Myth Deconstruction

This is not your grandparents' Sherwood Forest. Sarnoski, the director of Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One, adapts the 17th-century ballad Robin Hood's Death into a bleak and ultra-violent reckoning with the legend . The film opens with an act of shocking violence that sets the tone for the entire 123-minute runtime .

Stripping away all folklore and swashbuckling romance, the story presents Robin Hood as a grizzled, morally compromised man, haunted by a lifetime of crime and murder. As he grapples with his past, he is cared for by a mysterious figure, Sister Brigid, played by Jodie Comer . The focus is on introspection and the physical toll of violence rather than spectacle, set against somber, wintry landscapes .

Key film details:

• Director/Writer: Michael Sarnoski
• Cast: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, Noah Jupe
• Tone: Dark, R-rated, ultra-violent, mournful
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• U.S. Release: June 19, 2026, via A24

The Critics Weigh In: A Performance Divided by Its Film

The critical conversation is a sharp divide. For every critic who found the film to be a powerful deconstruction, another found it to be a tedious and unpleasant experience.

The Praise: The positive reviews are anchored by Jackman. Barry Hertz of Globe and Mail called him "a godsend in the title role," comparing his unpredictable energy to Nicolas Cage in Sarnoski's Pig . Time Out found the film "dark but powerful," praising Sarnoski for "finding new textures and humanity in the stock figure" and calling Jackman's work one of the best performances of his career . Slashfilm called it an "ultra-violent, melancholy myth deconstruction" and gave the film a 7 out of 10 . The San Francisco Chronicle described it as a "bloody, brilliant reckoning" .

The Panning: The negative reactions are equally forceful. Kristy Puchko of Mashable dismissed the film as "an unpleasant and cynical slog, despite a promising cast" . Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter agreed it was "a tedious slog" that was too keen to make good on its bleak premise . Another critic wrote that the film "lacks depth, substituting complexity for a heavy dose of brooding" after its initial act of disturbing violence . World of Reel reported that the mixed premiere reactions were so notable, some invited journalists were reluctant to post the typical glowing social-media praise .

The Verdict So Far

The early consensus is that The Death of Robin Hood is a film that commits entirely to its grim vision, for better or worse. Jackman's performance is a must-see for his fans, but the film's punishing, slow-burn style will test audiences looking for a conventional period action movie. It is a fascinating but polarizing entry into the Robin Hood canon, one that prioritizes a character study over crowd-pleasing entertainment. Audiences can decide for themselves when it hits theaters on June 19 .