Hugh Jackman’s Dark Turn in ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ Receives Disappointing CinemaScore

Hugh Jackman is well-known for portraying flawed, morally complex characters, but it seems that audiences weren’t fully prepared for this particular interpretation. A24’s R-rated revisionist drama ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ debuted with a C+ CinemaScore during its opening weekend, indicating potential challenges for the film’s box office performance despite its prestigious background.

Directed and written by Michael Sarnoski, ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ offers a fresh take on the iconic folk hero, focusing on an aging vigilante who encounters a mysterious woman and a young girl after suffering severe injuries. A24 secured the domestic distribution rights for approximately four million dollars.

Sarnoski reimagines Robin Hood, stripping away the cheerful Errol Flynn archetype, portraying him instead as a violent thief and murderer mythologized for his clashes with oppressive rulers. This version of Robin Hood has committed heinous acts, leaving behind a trail of blood debts he can barely remember. While this creative approach is bold, it evidently did not resonate with audiences on opening night.

The critical reception has been mixed-positive, with many reviewers commending the film’s craftsmanship, Jackman’s dedication, and Sarnoski’s atmospheric direction. However, some critiques focused on the film’s bleakness, slow pacing, and heavy-handed deconstruction of the Robin Hood mythos. Variety’s Guy Lodge noted that while the film is “exquisitely crafted and emotionally intelligent,” it tends to lean towards dourness.

Before its release, box office predictions estimated a domestic opening between eight and thirteen million dollars, with a total theatrical run expected to reach between nineteen and thirty-seven million dollars. These modest expectations were set against the backdrop of the highly anticipated ‘Toy Story 5.’ The C+ CinemaScore indicates that the audiences who attended were largely unimpressed, making even these modest projections seem overly optimistic in terms of potential word-of-mouth.

Sarnoski, known for the acclaimed film ‘Pig’ starring Nicolas Cage and for directing ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ is a filmmaker with significant industry credibility. However, his art-house sensibility may not always appeal to mainstream audiences. The combination of his deliberate pacing and Jackman’s gaunt, unrecognizable portrayal in the film seems to have created a disconnect between critical acclaim and audience expectations.

The film features a strong cast, including Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe, reflecting the ambitious artistic vision behind the project. For a studio like A24, which has produced both crossover hits and niche critical successes, ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ may ultimately be more of a beautifully crafted film that resonates with a smaller audience over time rather than achieving immediate success at the box office.

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