Netflix’s recently released period piece, The King, has received positive praise from critics and audience members alike. The movie is based off of Shakespeare’s The Henriad, a series of plays about England’s royal family.
Shakespeare’s adaptation, as well as David Michôd’s, the director of The King, are, to some extent, based on true events taking place in the early 15th century during the Hundred Years War. The movie follows Prince Hal, played by Timothée Chalamet, who, after his father’s death, becomes King Henry V. At this time, there is a great rivalry between the Kingdom of England and France. Although he holds pacifist views, King Henry resumes war with France. He and his men sail to France where he meets the Prince Louis of France, played by Robert Pattinson, who warns them of their destruction by the French army. But King Henry does not back down. With the help of his advisors, including the fictional John Falstaff, played by Joel Edgerton, the English win the famous Battle of Agincourt, despite being under resourced and outnumbered by the French army. After France’s loss, King Charles VI of France proposes that King Henry marry his daughter, Catherine, played by Lily-Rose Depp.
The thing that stood out most about the film was the acting. Chalamet was convincing as a young King, somewhat naive and uncertain, but also eager and self-assured. As Prince Louis, Robert Pattinson made the choice to strongly over exaggerate his French accent, adding humor and some comedic relief to the movie which had a very serious tone overall. Other characters including Joel Edgerton’s John Falstaff and Sean Harris’ William Gascoigne added complexity and drama to the film through their relationships with the King.
With somewhat of a surprise ending and an interesting storyline, accompanied by a star-studded cast, The King makes for a good watch. If your into period pieces, historical movies, or just love Timothée Chalamet as much as I do, then you should definitely check out The King on Netflix.
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