A young man is thrust into power in The King, the latest from director and co-writer David Michôd.
Based on the life of Henry V of England, this historical drama offers plenty of battles to go along with its courtly intrigues. You see, Henry took over the country smack in the middle of the Hundred Years’ War, meaning he had little time to settle into his new role. Imagining how a young man would handle this pressure seems to be the crux of The King, and given the situation, there’s plenty for this angle to explore.
This straightforward approach indicates that Michôd learned from War Machine, the underwhelming comedy that stalled his rising star. The gritty toughness of this trailer feels much more in line with the films that put him on the map (The Rover and Animal Kingdom), in no small part because it brings back some of his previous collaborators.
Joel Edgerton has added co-writing duties to his leading role (he also co-starred in Animal Kingdom) while Robert Pattinson reteams with Michôd after The Rover. Pattinson is a long-haired nemesis this time around while Edgerton is an advisor to the new king. Timothée Chalamet is the centerpiece of the movie as Henry V, and with his own star quickly rising, it seems like this film has all the pieces in place for a rousing look at the past.
The King is directed by David Michôd and stars Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, and Lily-Rose Depp. It will be released worldwide on Netflix on November 1st, 2019 with a limited theatrical run in the US starting October 11th.
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