The Death of Robin Hood reviews are in, and the verdict is more interesting than a simple split: critics can’t agree on the movie, but they almost universally agree on Hugh Jackman.
The film currently sits at 64% on Rotten Tomatoes with 22 reviews, meaning it is barely Fresh and far from the across-the-board rave suggested by some of the early social media reactions.
But dig into the reviews and a clear pattern emerges: even the harshest pans single out Jackman’s performance as the reason to watch. The fight is over director Michael Sarnoski’s relentlessly grim approach.
Sarnoski, the filmmaker behind Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One, strips the Robin Hood myth of its Merry Men, sheriffs, and romance, casting Jackman as a much darker, more broken version of the legendary outlaw.
The reviews repeatedly describe the film as violent, somber, and mournful — a grim character drama rather than a traditional adventure movie — and whether that approach is profound or punishing is exactly where critics part ways.
Critics Agree On Jackman, Split On Sarnoski
What the positive reviews say
The positive reviews are largely praising Jackman’s performance and Sarnoski’s attempt to strip the Robin Hood myth down into something more painful and reflective.
Deadline‘s Pete Hammond says Jackman gives “a performance we have not seen him give,” calling the role hard to shake off. IndieWire‘s David Ehrlich also singles out Jackman, saying the strength of the casting lives in his eyes, while Bloody Disgusting‘s Meagan Navarro calls the film a story forged in “shocking violence and poignant introspection.”
Variety‘s Guy Lodge also came down positive, saying the movie holds attention through the severity of its reinvention and its “ruined world,” while IGN‘s Jim Vejvoda gave it a 7/10 and said its mix of mournful drama and murderous action helps separate it from other Robin Hood movies.
Other positive notices are more qualified. TheWrap‘s William Bibbiani says the film is not as deep or captivating as Sarnoski’s previous work, but calls it mature and praises Jackman’s lead performance. MovieWeb‘s Mark Keizer says it gives off major Unforgiven vibes and mostly pays off, even if it does not fully reach the profundity it is aiming for.
Negative reviews call it a slog — but not Jackman’s fault
The critics who disliked it seem to agree on one major issue: The Death of Robin Hood may be too dour for its own good. Notably, almost none of them put the blame on Jackman.
The Hollywood Reporter‘s Frank Scheck calls the movie a “tedious slog,” while Screen International‘s Tim Grierson says Sarnoski pushes too hard for gravitas and ends up suffocating the story. Mashable‘s Kristy Puchko was also down on the film, calling it an unpleasant and cynical slog despite the promising cast.
The Playlist‘s Marshall Shaffer gave the film a C, saying it is easy to admire its technical merits but difficult to find a way into the characters’ emotional experience. AV Club‘s Jacob Oller also gave it a C, arguing the film lacks a compelling narrative or affecting emotions at its core.
So the divide is clear: it’s not Jackman vs. the critics, it’s Sarnoski’s vision vs. the critics. Those who connect with the movie praise its violence, mood, and severity as the point. Those who don’t are calling the same elements overly grim, sluggish, and emotionally distant — with Jackman’s performance the one thing both sides walk away praising.
Social Media Reactions Were Much More Positive
The early social media reactions were much warmer, which is not exactly surprising. First reactions often lean more enthusiastic than full reviews, especially after festival or early screenings.
Several reactions compared the film to Logan, Unforgiven, and even The Northman, with praise for Jackman’s performance, the cinematography, and the movie’s brutal tone. Some called it one of the year’s best, while others described it as haunting, epic, moving, and emotionally devastating.
Bill Bria called The Death of Robin Hood one of the best films of 2026 and compared Jackman’s take on Robin Hood to King Lear.
Junior Felix called it “ferociously epic,” praising the cast, cinematography, and vicious action sequences. Josh Parham said Jackman delivers a strong performance in a brutal, somber world, while Meagan Navarro compared it to A Quiet Place: Day One as another emotional Sarnoski film about meeting death on your own terms.
Not all of the social reactions were glowing. Adriano Caporusso said the movie starts off grisly and epic but loses momentum as the melancholy of its subject takes over.
Nick van Dinther also called it a long and arduous watch, saying the strong performances could not make up for a vague and disconnected story.
The Death of Robin Hood opens June 19.
