Dir. Michael Sarnoski · 2026 · 122 min · HBO Max
Hugh Jackman plays an aged Robin Hood living in exile, long past the merry outlaw of legend. His old companion Little John (Bill Skarsgård) asks for help, a raid goes badly, and Robin is gravely wounded. John leaves him to recover at a remote priory, where Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer) looks after him. Michael Sarnoski wrote and directed. That is the first act, and this review stops there.
Most critics admire the ambition. RogerEbert.com's Brandon David Wilson calls Jackman's take one of the most interesting on the character in recent memory, praises his handling of resolve, violence and regret, and compares the way the film subverts genre expectations to Unforgiven. He also likes Comer and the landscapes. Deccan Herald's Amogh Ravindra finds the visuals handsome and Jackman strong.
For once, a Robin Hood film has come along that challenges us to think about what redemption costs.
Brandon David Wilson, RogerEbert.com
The reservations are about brutality and pace. Ravindra gives it 2.5 out of 5 and calls it divisive and slow-burning, a film that rewards patience more than it wins affection; he describes a first half hour of pure brutality in murky wide frames. Wikipedia's summary of the reception lists Screen International finding it rich in atmosphere but hamstrung by an excessively brooding approach, The Wall Street Journal praising the brutish atmosphere while finding the violence excessive, and The New York Times finding the violence tedious in the first half while praising the cast. Wilson, the warmest of these, only mildly notes its strong resemblance to Logan. The same page puts the film at 68 per cent positive on Rotten Tomatoes from 187 reviews and 61 out of 100 on Metacritic from 38 critics, which fits a film critics respect more than they love.
This looks like a pick for viewers who want a sombre, adult revisionist western in a medieval setting, and who are happy to sit through a harsh opening to get to the character study. If you want a swashbuckler with a wink, the reviews suggest you will not get one. At 122 minutes it asks for an evening and some patience.
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A24 released the film in US cinemas on 19 June 2026 after its premiere at the Sydney Film Festival, and it joined HBO Max on 16 October 2026, according to TheWrap. Availability varies by country, so check your local listings.
Sources: RogerEbert.com, Deccan Herald, Wikipedia for credits, dates, scores and summaries of the Screen International, Wall Street Journal and New York Times reviews, TheWrap for the streaming date.