Released on Netflix in 2019, The King is a historical drama directed by David Michôd and co-written with actor and screenwriter Joel Edgerton, who also stars in the film. Loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s Henriad plays — particularly Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V — the film offers a grounded, gritty reimagining of the rise of King Henry V of England.
Starring Timothée Chalamet as the young monarch, The King explores themes of leadership, morality, manipulation, and the corrupting influence of power. With a somber tone, muted visuals, and strong performances, the film trades Shakespearean grandeur for realism, presenting a bleak but compelling portrait of medieval politics and warfare.
Background and Production
Director David Michôd, known for his previous works Animal Kingdom (2010) and The Rover (2014), approached The King with the intent to strip away the romanticism often associated with historical epics. Rather than retelling Shakespeare’s plays verbatim, Michôd and Edgerton used them as a narrative foundation, blending historical fact with dramatic interpretation.
The project began development in 2013, with Netflix later acquiring distribution rights. Filming took place in England and Hungary throughout 2018. The production sought authenticity through practical sets, period-accurate costumes, and real landscapes rather than heavy reliance on CGI. The goal was to evoke the grim texture of medieval life — muddy battlefields, dimly lit castles, and the psychological toll of kingship.
Composer Nicholas Britell, known for Moonlight and Succession, created a haunting, minimalist score that reflects the film’s introspective tone. The result is a work that feels both intimate and epic — an examination of power through the eyes of a reluctant ruler.
Plot Summary
Set in the early 15th century, The King follows the journey of Prince Hal (Timothée Chalamet), the wayward son of King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn). Disillusioned with his father’s rule and the corruption of court life, Hal rejects his royal responsibilities, spending his days drinking and brawling with commoners. His closest companion is Sir John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton), a worldly and cynical knight who acts as both mentor and friend.
When Henry IV’s health declines, England faces unrest. The kingdom is divided by rebellion, and Hal’s younger brother, Thomas, takes command in battle. However, when Thomas is killed in combat, and Henry IV dies shortly after, Hal reluctantly ascends the throne as King Henry V.
Upon becoming king, Hal vows to lead differently from his father — with justice, restraint, and peace. Yet the demands of kingship quickly erode his ideals. The French Dauphin (Robert Pattinson) mocks him and sends a taunting gift: a tennis ball, symbolizing his youth and inexperience. Meanwhile, advisers within his court push him toward war with France, exploiting his desire to prove himself.
Manipulated by his trusted advisor, William Gascoigne (Sean Harris), and believing that assassination plots are forming against him, Henry declares war on France. He leads an army across the Channel, accompanied by Falstaff, now restored to military service.
The campaign culminates in the Battle of Agincourt, one of history’s most famous medieval battles. Outnumbered and facing exhaustion, the English forces prevail through strategy and Falstaff’s tactical brilliance, using mud and narrow terrain to their advantage. However, Falstaff dies in the conflict, symbolizing the loss of Hal’s innocence and moral compass.
Following victory, Henry secures peace by marrying Catherine of Valois (Lily-Rose Depp), daughter of the French king. Yet Catherine reveals that the war was built on lies — Gascoigne had manipulated evidence to provoke conflict and consolidate his own power. Furious, Henry confronts and kills Gascoigne, reclaiming agency over his throne.
The film ends ambiguously: Henry, though victorious, stands alone, having sacrificed friendship, innocence, and peace for the throne. The crown he once despised has transformed him into the very kind of ruler he sought to avoid becoming.
Themes and Symbolism
1. The Corruption of Power
At its heart, The King is a meditation on how power changes those who wield it. Hal begins as a man of peace, seeking to avoid the destructive cycles of his father’s reign. Yet, as king, he falls prey to manipulation and pride. His gradual hardening mirrors the transformation of an idealist into a ruler capable of bloodshed.
This theme echoes the timeless warning of Shakespeare’s histories: that leadership often demands moral compromise, and that even good intentions can be corrupted by the weight of authority.
2. Truth and Deception
The film presents a world in which truth is malleable and politics thrives on deceit. From forged intelligence to court conspiracies, The King reveals how rulers are surrounded by voices that distort reality for personal gain. The revelation that Henry’s war with France was based on lies underscores the fragility of justice in a system built on ambition.
3. Friendship and Loyalty
Hal’s relationship with Falstaff anchors the film emotionally. Falstaff represents honesty, humility, and humanity — qualities absent from the royal court. His death marks a symbolic loss of innocence for Henry, leaving him surrounded by opportunists rather than friends. Their dynamic reflects the painful trade-off between personal loyalty and political duty.
4. The Burden of Kingship
Throughout the film, Henry struggles with the isolation that comes with leadership. The crown is depicted not as a symbol of glory, but as a heavy weight — an object that demands sacrifice and alienates those who wear it. This portrayal humanizes the myth of the heroic king, turning him into a tragic figure trapped by circumstance.
Performances
Timothée Chalamet delivers one of the most nuanced performances of his career. His Henry V is not the fiery warrior of legend but a quiet, introspective young man burdened by responsibility. Chalamet’s restrained intensity and vulnerability capture the psychological complexity of a ruler torn between morality and power. His transformation — from a rebellious youth to a hardened monarch — unfolds with subtle precision.
Joel Edgerton’s Falstaff provides warmth and depth. Rather than a comic figure, as in Shakespeare’s plays, Falstaff here is a weary soldier who has seen the futility of war. His grounded wisdom and loyalty make his death deeply affecting, serving as the film’s emotional core.
Sean Harris delivers a chilling performance as William Gascoigne. Soft-spoken and manipulative, he embodies the corruption that festers within royal counsel. His quiet cunning makes his betrayal all the more unsettling.
Robert Pattinson steals scenes as the French Dauphin, offering a rare touch of humor. His exaggerated accent and flamboyant arrogance contrast sharply with the film’s somber tone, serving as both comic relief and an embodiment of French decadence.
Lily-Rose Depp’s Catherine appears only briefly but plays a vital role in the film’s resolution. Her calm intelligence and honesty cut through the lies that have shaped Henry’s reign, offering a glimpse of clarity in a world consumed by deceit.
Cinematography and Visual Style
The visual aesthetic of The King is one of stark realism. Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw employs desaturated tones and natural lighting to evoke the bleakness of medieval England and France. The camera lingers on muddy fields, candlelit halls, and fog-covered landscapes, emphasizing the grime and brutality of the era.
The film’s battle sequences, particularly Agincourt, are choreographed with raw intensity. Unlike the stylized violence of Hollywood epics, these scenes are chaotic and claustrophobic — filmed from the ground, immersing viewers in the confusion and terror of medieval combat. The clashing of armor, the suffocating mud, and the exhaustion of soldiers create an atmosphere of realism rarely seen in war films.
The minimal use of music amplifies tension and melancholy, while Nicholas Britell’s sparse score underlines the internal conflict of the characters rather than glorifying violence.
Historical and Literary Context
While The King takes creative liberties, it draws heavily from Shakespeare’s Henry V, blending literary drama with real history. The film simplifies political subplots and alters character arcs — for example, Falstaff’s role in Agincourt is entirely fictional — but these changes serve thematic purposes.
By removing the Shakespearean language and focusing on realism, Michôd reinterprets Henry’s story for modern audiences. His version is not a celebration of nationalism or divine right, but a critique of war and political manipulation.
Reception and Legacy
The King received generally positive reviews for its performances, atmosphere, and cinematography, though some critics found its pacing slow and tone overly somber. Audiences praised Chalamet’s portrayal of Henry as a contemplative and humanized monarch, a departure from traditional depictions of medieval kings.
The film’s nuanced take on leadership and power resonated in a contemporary context, drawing parallels to modern political dynamics — where truth is often weaponized and idealism can be corrupted by ambition.
While The King may not match the scale of Braveheart or the romanticism of The Last Kingdom, it stands out for its moral complexity and character-driven storytelling. It invites reflection rather than spectacle, asking timeless questions about what it means to rule, to lead, and to remain human in the face of absolute power.
Conclusion
The King (2019) is a somber and intelligent exploration of kingship, morality, and the human cost of power. Through its subdued tone and grounded realism, it strips away the mythic veneer of heroism and exposes the psychological toll of leadership.
Timothée Chalamet’s quiet strength, Joel Edgerton’s tragic wisdom, and David Michôd’s restrained direction combine to create a film that feels both timeless and modern. In a world obsessed with power and image, The King reminds us that true leadership lies not in conquest, but in conscience.
