The Death of Robin Hood Parent Guide
Strong performances aren't enough to lift this slow, heavy, blood-soaked tale.
Parent Movie Review
We all know the story of Robin Hood. The outlaw with the heart of gold who steals from the rich and gives to the poor; who fights against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and bad King John. We watched his exploits in Disney’s animated film and in umpteen more serious versions: we have cheered for the hero and booed the villains.
But what if none of that story is true?
What if the real Robin Hood was a vicious outlaw, a man who killed indiscriminately – and enjoyed it?
And what if he is finally forced to assess the life he has lived?
In this film, Hugh Jackman stars as an aged Robin Hood, weary of his life and the endless cycle of killings in which he is trapped. When Little John (Bill Skarsgård) seeks his help to save his wife and children, Robin reluctantly agrees. The result is more death – and a close call with his own mortality. Determined to save Robin, Little John takes his critically wounded friend to the island priory of St. Clements, where he is nursed back to health by Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer), the serene prioress.
Coming close to death and being surrounded by a community based on faith and trust changes Robin. He traps rabbits to feed the other residents, takes responsibility for helping a badly traumatized child, befriends a resident leper, and even offers a moment of mercy to a would-be killer. But nothing he does satisfies his desire to make up for the terrible deeds he has committed…
The film’s central concept – redemption – is more interesting than the movie itself. Moviegoers who like debating serious themes will probably end up discussing whether or not Robin Hood can atone for his life of murder and if his final acts in any way pay his debts to his 13th century society. But, honestly, if it’s redemption movies you’re after, there are more interesting (and less bloody) films to choose from. (See below for suggestions.)
It’s hard to overstate how much blood you have to wade through in this film before Robin rethinks his life. The most dominant sounds in the film, aside from the very loud soundtrack, are squelching and gurgling as people are stabbed, slashed, and bludgeoned to death. Sometimes the killing is done in self-defense; sometimes as part of a quest for vengeance; sometimes in an enraged frenzy. But no matter the context, the deaths are all gory as blood gurgles out of people’s mouths and pools on their beaten faces. This isn’t a film for sensitive viewers or those with queasy stomachs. The movie also features a strange moment of sexual content, wherein a man watches a clothed woman masturbate in front of an altar. The scene doesn’t propel the plot, so I have no idea why it’s in the film.
Once again, this is a movie that wastes the significant talents of its cast. Hugh Jackman is excellent in his role as a man haunted by his past and Jodie Comer brings a serene gravitas to Sister Brigid. Unfortunately, even good performances can’t lift a heavy, slow tale. It’s not just me objecting to the film: I have never been to a non-family film that saw so many adults wandering in and out of the theater. It really isn’t worth the ticket price.
Directed by Michael Sarnoski. Starring Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgard. Running time: 123 minutes. Theatrical release June 19, 2026. Updated June 19, 2026
The Death of Robin Hood
Rating & Content Info
Why is The Death of Robin Hood rated R? The Death of Robin Hood is rated R by the MPAA for strong bloody violence
Violence: There are non-stop scenes of violence. People are stabbed and slashed with bladed weapons in scenes that feature spurting blood and bloody wounds. People fight with axes, clubs, and quarterstaffs. A child is shot in the head with an arrow that goes through his skull and comes out through his eye. A person later imagines seeing the dead child walking around with the arrow still embedded. A character imagines a similar fatal injury for an adult. A man stabs another man in the hand, and then pulls the knife down, splitting the hand in half. Men scream in agony from injuries. A man buries a bloodied corpse. There are frequent mentions of killings: stabbings, beheadings, being burned alive, etc. A man mentions having his ear cut off. Buildings are set on fire with the goal of killing the people inside. A man stomps on the neck of a trapped, twitching rabbit, killing it. A man teaches a child how to skin rabbits. A man kills a boar with an arrow: he later skins it (piling up viscera on the ground) and it is seen roasting on a spit. A man threatens a child so she will avoid talking about something that could endanger her. There are medical scenes of bloodletting, which was believed to help people heal. Spoiler: A man persuades someone to help him die by bleeding to death.
Sexual Content: A man watches as a fully clothed woman masturbates in front of an altar. The activity is not at all graphic, but it is clear. Naked men are briefly seen in a side view. A distraught man kisses his murdered wife.
Profanity: None.
Alcohol / Drug Use: A man drinks from a bottle of what is most likely alcohol.
Page last updated June 19, 2026
Home Video
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There are excellent films out there that focus on characters who are trying to atone for their past deeds. In Burden, a member of the Ku Klux Klan changes his life when he is befriended by a Black pastor. The smash hit musical Les Miserables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a convicted criminal who turns his life around and dedicates himself to helping others. Hardened criminals discover that there’s more to life in the critically acclaimed prison film The Shawshank Redemption. On a more lighthearted note, the Marvel film Thunderbolts gives audiences flawed would-be heroes who use their unusual abilities in part to atone for their prior actions.