The Death of Robin Hood early reactions are in: what people are really saying

Well, here we are – another Robin Hood film, but before you roll your eyes, get this: 'The Death of Robin Hood', helmed by Michael Sarnoski (yes, the mind behind 'Pig'), is ditching everything you might expect from the usual 'steal from the rich and give to the poor' summer blockbuster. Instead, Sarnoski's new A24 project features Hugh Jackman as a battered, world-weary Robin who's very much not Errol Flynn prancing about in tights. Think closer to 'Logan' with mud than 'Men in Tights' with banter.

This Isn’t Your Gran’s Robin Hood

Here’s the set-up: an old Robin Hood, played by Jackman, is upfront about the fact that the legendary tales you've heard are a bit of a stretch – and the truth is much murkier. There’s remorse, violence, and a healthy dose of regret, apparently much more 'Northman' than 'Disney'.

What Are People Actually Saying?

The film just had its first screening, and the internet’s already in a flap about it. Early comments are strongly divided, but it’s safe to say this is a very different beast to anything we've seen with this character before.

'Fans of The Northman and Logan will enjoy A24's brutal and unique take on Robin Hood. Go see Death of Robin Hood!'

That was the shout from JoBlo, and frankly it’s a pretty good starter for ten if you want an idea of the vibes.

Matt Neglia from Next Best Picture reckoned the film absolutely lives up to the title. According to Matt, 'The first third is brutal, muddy, and action-heavy, but the rest shifts gears to a sort of meditative character study.' Hugh Jackman is apparently on top form, all grizzled and grim, and both Bill Skarsgård and Jodie Comer are worth watching (though Matt wanted both to have more to do).

Neglia really rated the atmosphere and the technical side: the cinematography, score, makeup, the whole lot. Still, he feels there’s just something missing; the film hits hard but maybe not as deep as it wants.

Courtney Howard from Variety isn’t holding back on the praise either. She called it 'bold and brutal,' a 'kinetic, brilliant new generational legend' that isn’t afraid to spend quite a while reflecting on death. Jackman, Comer and Skarsgård apparently 'exceptional'. Special mention for Pat Scola’s cinematography, which gets described as 'painterly' and ‘exhilarative’ — whatever that means, it sounds expensive.

Over at The Hollywood Show, Junior Felix is calling it one of the year's best already – 'hauntingly visceral', 'super transfixing', and full of action scenes described as 'breathtakingly vicious'. Apparently the cast and visuals are both top class.

If you're trying to spot a pattern, Darren Movie Reviews points out that the whole thing has more in common with 'Logan' than any of the old Robin Hood flicks. This is about as far from a hero’s journey as you can get. Robin Hood here is a complicated, damaged bloke grappling with his own violent past. Jackman gives a 'strong, silent yet powerful' performance, backed up by a pretty loaded supporting cast: Jodie Comer, Murray Bartlett, Bill Skarsgård, Noah Jupe, and Faith Delaney all making appearances. Sarnoski apparently brings plenty of emotion and 'tenderness', but beware: it's a slow, gloomy piece, intentionally heavy as anything.

Not Everyone's Sold

Not all the early viewers are wildly impressed. Nick van Dinther over at Bite Size Break thought the film dragged – 'long and arduous', as he put it. While he acknowledges some good acting turns, the story itself came off as muddled and unfocused to him, never quite adding up to a satisfying whole.

Who's In It?

• Hugh Jackman as the broken, brooding Robin Hood
• Jodie Comer in a (not huge) supporting role
• Bill Skarsgård, who, when he's on, steals the show
• Murray Bartlett
• Noah Jupe
• Faith Delaney

So, a gritty Robin Hood that cares more about mortality and consequences than outfoxing the Sheriff of Nottingham yet again. 'Death of Robin Hood' looks like it’s got A24's signature all over it: ambitious, slightly miserable, and certainly not for everyone.