The Green Knight- Movie Review

The Green Knight Review: Arthurian Legend Finally Gets Weird


Graham Craycraft

The Green Knight is a 2021 movie adapted from a 14th century legend about an Arthurian knight on Christmas day. The movie is directed by David Lowery through the now extremely successful arthouse production company A24. With movies such as Midsommar, The Witch, Uncut Gems, and many more it has become a reputable company worthy of instant respect and consideration for any films they release. 


Dev Patel plays Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, who is lost in the shadow of the knights of the round table. He has no reputation and is desperate to prove his worth to his mother, his king, the realm, and himself. The Green Knight is a supernatural figure who offers a game to gathering of royalty and knights. Someone may strike a blow on the knight, but in one year the knight shall return it. If the promise is upheld all will be well, if it is broken, well, the opposite. 


The plot is very well done and the cast is great. But, like most A24 films, the real magic is in the cinematography, sound, and production. The music helps the audience member get lost in the world of medieval England. Witchcraft, dream sequences, a reliance on and disregard of Catholic figures makes the film complex. The audience is not completely sure on how to feel towards the characters and the actions they take. Dripping with symbolism and double meanings the setting and side characters play a large role.


The movie explores masculinity, honor, perception of duty, and varied levels of evil. Gawain is torn between what he thinks he should do as a future knight and what would be the smartest decision. He is pressured into throwing his life away on the basis of knightly duty. Throughout the movie he explores what he thinks he should want and what he actually wants.


This movie is a step in the right direction for Hollywood. 75% of American movies are either remakes or sequels. In theaters with this movie are at least two Marvel movies, Don’t Breathe 2, another Purge film, etc. Here is a movie that is actively trying to do something new. Yes, it is an adaptation from an existing story, but that story has never been put to film in the 1,000 years it has existed. England, Africa, India, Scandavania, Asia, all have stories to tell. These areas and more have stories that are waiting in the lurch to be put to film. Hollywood needs more films that test the limits of time and normalcy. Bring me more folklore, legends, myths, and far-fetched tales. 


I give this movie an 89/100 and highly recommend it to anyone interested in A24, David Lowery, or legends.


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