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The King
2019 140 min Australia, United States of America R 18+
★7.2
Drama, History, War
Director: David Michôd
🎭 Based on
«Henry IV, Part 2»
byWilliam Shakespeare
Trailers
EN
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.
Starring
Tom Glynn-Carney
Actor
Gábor Czap
Actor
Tom Fisher
Actor
Awards
13 wins & 28 nominations total
Key opinion
The King is a polarizing historical drama that excels in production design and atmosphere but suffers from a fragmented script and inconsistent character development. While some viewers appreciate its contemplative, grounded approach to the burdens of monarchy, others find it tedious, historically loose, and burdened by a central performance that splits opinion.
| Production | The production design, including costumes, armor, and setting, effectively and authentically recreates the atmosphere of 15th-century England. | |
| Acting | Robert Pattinson provides a standout, albeit underutilized, performance as the Dauphin, bringing a captivating sense of contempt and charisma to his scenes. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Timothée Chalamet’s lead performance are sharply divided; some praise his portrayal of a complex, reluctant monarch, while others criticize him for lacking the physicality and gravitas required for the role. | |
| Adaptation | The film’s historical and Shakespearean adaptations are debated; supporters appreciate the modern, deconstructive approach to the source material, whereas critics find the inaccuracies and compressions confusing and narratively hollow. | |
| Pacing | The pacing and runtime are points of contention, with some viewers finding the slow, atmospheric tempo essential for thematic depth, while others view it as tedious, poorly paced, and lacking sufficient character progression. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography and battle sequences elicit mixed reactions, as some admire the realistic, brutal combat and wide-shot aesthetics, while others find the action choreographically unrealistic or unengaging. |