Arthur the King Parent Guide
Mixing an inspirational sports story and a feel-good doggy tale, this movie only slips in its bad language.
Parent Movie Review
This is Mikael Lindnord’s (Mark Wahlberg) last chance. For nineteen years the formidable athlete has been competing in extreme sports, yet he has never won the Adventure Racing World Series. Mikael knows his body isn’t getting any younger, so the 2018 championship, scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic, will be his final opportunity to achieve this life-long goal.
He has at least two other hurdles to leap before he can even get to the starting line. Adventure racing is a team sport, so he must find a couple of men and a woman to join with him. While he has come to know many other contestants over the years, he has also burned bridges with some of them. Requiring almost as much determination as training for the dauting rivalry, Mikael embarks on a recruitment trip, eventually nabbing Chik (Ali Suliman), another aging athlete whose great navigational skills might be hampered by a nagging knee injury; Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel), an accomplished climber who hates the game and only agrees to come to please a family member; and Leo (Simu Liu), a sports celebrity and former partner who still has grievances about their last endeavor together.
Mikael’s next challenge is to find a sponsor who believes in the prospects of his freshly minted collaboration enough to cover the substantial costs of their preparing for and participating in the international contest.
Overcoming this rocky beginning, the foursome lands in the humid and hostile landscape of the Caribbean isle ready to put their best foot (feet?) forward. Frequent cussing (including a sexual expletive) occurs over hard feelings and the even harder work. However, as they face life-threatening obstacles and witness each other pressing forward with tenacity, bonds begin to form between these diverse challengers. And that is when they meet another lost soul hoping for a second chance.
Scruffy, scrappy, and starving, a mutt that is eventually dubbed Arthur first meets Mikael and his crew at an early rest stop along the racecourse. Despite his desperation, the dog displays a remarkable royal dignity, which captures Mikael’s attention enough that he offers the stray a couple of meatballs. (This is a significant sacrifice considering the sacristy of food the group has allotted for themselves over their physically and mentally grueling, 435-mile trek through jungles, over mountains and across rivers – which they hope to finish in five to ten days.) Yet Arthur’s appreciation is such that he follows the adventurers, longing to become part of their team.
Based on a true story, Arthur the King tells a tale of survival against great odds, exceeding expectations and discovering what really matters most. It is unfortunate for family viewers that the script contains so much profanity. Still, this sentimental movie is sure to play well on streaming services for years to come. Those willing to overlook the flawed language may find the story to be a pleasant reminder of life’s sweet joys that come from unexpected encounters. And we are most likely to find such experiences when we stop to look around and take notice of those who perhaps just need another chance.
Directed by Simon Cellan Jones. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Nathalie Emmanuel, Simu Liu. Running time: 90 minutes. Theatrical release March 15, 2024. Updated March 15, 2024Watch the trailer for Arthur the King
Arthur the King
Rating & Content Info
Why is Arthur the King rated PG-13? Arthur the King is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some strong language.
Violence: Participants in extreme sports face injury and risks to their lives including dehydration, falling from heights, and getting lost or hurt in the jungle. Athletes argue, tease, and mock one another. Various people yell at and chase away stray animals. Barking dogs threaten people and other animals. An animal shows signs of abuse, such as hunger, festering wounds and skittish behavior. A character keeps a secret from their spouse. A veterinarian discusses euthanasia with a grieving pet owner.
Sexual Content: No sexual content noted. A sick athlete vomits a couple of times.
Profanity: Frequent use of scatological slang and mild profanity. Infrequent use of terms of deity or crass language describing body parts. One use of an extreme sexual expletive.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters drink beer in social settings. Competitors discuss buying beer for the winning team. Syringes are shown in medical situations.
Page last updated March 15, 2024
Arthur the King Parents' Guide
Learn more about the real Mikael Lindnord and the charitable work he was inspired to do after meeting Arthur. Find out more about the Adventure Racing World Series.
What do you think drives Mikael’s passion to win the Adventure Racing World Series? How do those motivations sometimes make him his own worst enemy? How do they define his priorities? Where should he – and all of us – look for real glory and a way to leave a legacy?
Mikael, his father-in-law, and his teammate Leo all have criticisms of each other. Despite their apparent differences, what characteristics do these characters share? How is their determination to succeed been either a blessing or a curse? What things do they do (or need to do) to make their desires be a positive force in their lives?
How does Mikael’s relationship with Arthur shape the way he views what is most important to him? What relationships in your life have molded your perspective of the world? What are you willing to sacrifice for?
Loved this movie? Try these books…
This movie is based on the book Arthur: The dog who crossed the jungle to find a home by Mikael Lindnord.
Home Video
Related home video titles:
Another faithful canine befriends a wanderer in Far From Home: The Adventures Of Yellow Dog. A group of tenacious pets cover a lot of ground in the movie Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.