The King
Gritty Shakespeare adaptation focused on political maneuvering over heroic battles
The brief
Michôd's take on Henry V feels like a muddy, brutal meditation on power rather than a rousing historical epic, with Chalamet's scrawny prince genuinely convincing as someone who'd rather drink than rule. The film moves at a deliberate, sometimes sluggish pace through political machinations before erupting into one of the messiest, most realistic medieval battle sequences ever filmed. Edgerton steals scenes as Falstaff while the production design makes 15th century England feel authentically grimy and cold. Perfect for fans of The Last Kingdom or anyone who wants their Shakespeare adaptations served with more dirt under the fingernails than poetry.
The verdict
If you crave gritty, unglamorous historical drama with authentic medieval brutality and prefer character study over spectacle, this is essential viewing. If you want rousing battle scenes, Shakespearean grandeur, or can't handle a deliberately paced 140-minute slog through political machinations, skip it for something more traditionally epic.
Watch with
- 👥 History buffs and fans of character-driven epics
- ⚠️ Those expecting flashy action spectacle
Heads up
- Graphic medieval battle violence with blood and gore (frequent)
- Political executions and beheadings (moderate)
- War casualties including horses in battle (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- David Michôd
- Cast
- Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Tom Glynn-Carney, Lily-Rose Depp, Thomasin McKenzie, Robert Pattinson
Official synopsis
England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Hamlet (2026)
Both explore reluctant princes inheriting thrones and grappling with power.
Total runtime: 2h 20m + 1h 53m = 4h 13m
