The Death of Robin Hood Review: Hugh Jackman’s New Movie Is A Dark, Haunting Reimagining Of A Legendary Outlaw

The opening scenes of this Hugh Jackman new movie are not for the faint-hearted.

I walked into the preview screening with very few expectations. Like most people, my understanding of Robin Hood comes wrapped in childhood nostalgia. The heroic outlaw. The man in green tights. The noble thief robbing from the rich to give to the poor. Depending on your generation, you may picture an animated fox, Kevin Costner wielding a bow, or a larger-than-life folk hero riding through Sherwood Forest. This Hugh Jackman new movie is not that Robin Hood.

A Darker, More Human Take on the Legend

From the moment the film begins, director Michael Sarnoski makes it abundantly clear that we are stepping into something much darker, grittier and far more human than the legend many of us grew up with. Having previously directed Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One, Sarnoski brings the same thoughtful, character-driven storytelling to this reimagining of the iconic outlaw. The myth has been stripped away, leaving behind an ageing man haunted by the weight of his choices, his legacy and the violence that has followed him throughout his life. The result is a film that feels less like an action adventure and more like a meditation on mortality.

Hugh Jackman New Movie Review: A Performance Unlike Any Other

This Hugh Jackman new movie marks a bold departure from his blockbuster work. He delivers a remarkable performance as Robin Hood, portraying him not as an invincible hero but as a man confronting the reality that legends grow old too. It is a role that demands vulnerability, restraint and emotional depth, and Jackman rises to the challenge with ease. There are moments where very little is said, yet his face communicates everything. Regret. Pain. Defiance. Weariness. Hope.

What makes his performance particularly compelling is how human it feels. This is not a larger-than-life action hero. This is a man carrying the physical and emotional scars of a life lived on the edge. The swagger and certainty often associated with Robin Hood are replaced by something far more interesting: reflection.

Supporting performances from Jodie Comer, Murray Bartlett and Bill Skarsgård add further weight to the story, helping create a world that feels both grounded and emotionally charged.

Stunning Visuals and a Slower, Richer Pace

The film itself embraces a slower pace than audiences may initially expect. Rather than relying on endless action sequences, it takes its time exploring character, consequence and redemption. Some viewers may find this surprising given the source material, but those willing to settle into the story will find themselves rewarded with a far richer experience.

Visually, the A24 film is stunning. The cinematography captures both the beauty and brutality of the world Robin inhabits. The forests feel wild and unforgiving. The landscapes are expansive yet isolating. There is a constant sense that nature itself is observing the final chapter of a man who has spent a lifetime outrunning both authority and himself.

A Dark Robin Hood Reimagining That Challenges the Myth

What impressed me most about this Hugh Jackman new movie is its willingness to challenge audience expectations. Rather than celebrating the legend, it interrogates it. What happens when the stories fade? What happens when the hero becomes a man? What happens when the weight of a reputation becomes impossible to escape?

These questions sit at the heart of the film and give it a depth rarely seen in reimaginings of classic folklore. As I shared immediately following the screening:

“It was a dark twist on a familiar fairy tale. Hugh Jackman stripping back the legend into something more intense, grounded and haunting, while still echoing its mythic roots.”

The Parenthood360 Verdict

Hugh Jackman new movie The Death of Robin Hood is not the Robin Hood audiences know. It is something more reflective, more emotional and, at times, more confronting. The opening scenes establish a tone that never truly lets up, reminding viewers that this is a story about endings rather than beginnings.

While fans expecting a traditional swashbuckling adventure may need to adjust their expectations, audiences willing to embrace a more mature and thoughtful interpretation will find plenty to admire. Jackman anchors the film beautifully, delivering one of his most nuanced performances in recent years and proving once again why he remains one of Australia’s most respected actors.

The Death of Robin Hood opens in Australian cinemas on 18 June and it is well worth your time.

★★★★☆