Robin Hood

Underrated and unknown

Oh, where do I start with this one. Robin Hood, 2018, is a very underrated movie. For the studio it was a complete flop, but I genuinely think that was caused by poor advertisement rather than the film itself.

I had never even heard of the movie until I stumbled upon a short clip on YouTube in 2025, seven years after its release. The cast is actually strong, every actor delivers a solid performance. The story leans on the classic setting, but shifts it toward a gritty realism. The effects and the depiction of war in the realm are remarkably well executed and surprisingly well written. The setup alone is impressive. I have never seen an action movie attempt to treat crossbows and bows with the choreography and tactical weight usually reserved for firearms. The movement of the soldiers, the way they handle their bows, all of it is done so convincingly that I was genuinely astonished by how good it looked.

The plot carries echoes of the traditional Robin Hood lore, which works in its favor. This movie is misunderstood, underrated, and deserves far more recognition than it ever got.

The introduction begins with a straightforward romance between a nobleman and a thief, narrated as a framing device that eases us into the world. A later moment involving a letter is another great touch, fitting perfectly into the period and enhancing the grounded tone the movie strives for. In fact, the writing is so tight that I struggle to recall any scene that does not flow with a smooth, logical transition.

The music is not remarkable, but it does its job and never harms the atmosphere. The sound effects, however, especially when paired with the visuals, are outstanding.

Marianne is the only element that consistently breaks immersion. She stands out like a sore thumb. She is always perfectly clean, dressed in bright colors that would shine in complete darkness. Hood is covered in mud and blood from a fight, she gets kicked in the face and somehow ends up without a scratch, dirt, or even a smudge. She is the one genuine failure of the film, and her performance does not justify the contrast. I honestly do not understand the casting choice here, it feels like she had a spotless-face clause in her contract.

Despite this flaw, I really enjoyed the experience and would absolutely watch a sequel. Sadly, the poor marketing and likely limited budget buried the film, so a continuation might never happen.