Michael Sarnoski didn’t set out to craft an antithesis to Logan, yet that is precisely what he has achieved.
The Death of Robin Hood features Hugh Jackman as an aging, weathered iteration of the iconic outlaw. As he reaches the twilight of his life, he crosses paths with a young orphan, sparking a mentorship that echoes the emotional core of the 2017 Marvel hit, Logan. However, where that film focused on a weary hero, Sarnoski presents a man defined by past violence—a brutal, haunted figure seeking a final chance at redemption.
Sarnoski’s latest project masterfully dismantles the classic Robin Hood myth and the familiar “reluctant guardian” trope found in works like The Last of Us. This version of the legendary thief keeps his spoils for himself and his equally volatile partner, Little John (played by Bill Skarsgard); he is, frankly, the last person one would trust with a child’s upbringing.
Image: A24Sarnoski has a knack for deconstructing genres. His debut, Pig, took the revenge-thriller template popularized by John Wick and refashioned it into a somber, meditative character piece led by Nicolas Cage. Similarly, his contribution to the A Quiet Place franchise leaned into a silent-film aesthetic, emphasizing atmosphere over explosive action.
Despite these creative choices, the filmmaker maintains that he does not set out to deliberately “subvert” expectations. “It’s never about checking a box or deconstructing a trope,” Sarnoski explained to Polygon. “For me, it is entirely character-driven. I look for a person who fascinates me, someone I understand but who still possesses mysteries I want to solve. The world-building follows naturally from that.”
The Death of Robin Hood depicts Robin and John wandering the English wilderness, their hands stained with decades of blood. Hunted by vengeful survivors, their survivalist lifestyle remains as ruthless as ever—until a near-fatal injury forces Robin into the care of a prioress, played by Jodie Comer. Surrounded by nuns and those on society’s margins, Robin is forced into a quiet reflection that anchors the film’s contemplative second act.
It is a visually striking, emotionally daring work. I sat down with Sarnoski to discuss the heavy themes of legacy and mortality woven into the fabric of this film.
1
Where did the genesis for The Death of Robin Hood come from?
Image: A24Traditional tellings of the death of Robin Hood often involve a tragic betrayal by a prioress. Sarnoski’s interest in this grim conclusion is deeply personal. “I’ve been ruminating on this for three decades,” he shares. “After my father passed away when I was nine, a neighbor became a mentor to me. He handed me a vintage copy of Robin Hood from the 1940s. It was my first exposure to the full scope of the myth—not just the lighthearted adventures, but the ending.”
I had to finally translate this into a story, for better or worse.
“Reading about the death of a hero at that age was a profound experience,” Sarnoski reflects. “It shattered the illusion of immortality. That melancholy ending stuck with me; it humanized a figure I had only ever seen as a caricature. It felt like time to finally share that vision.”
2
What drove the choice to portray Robin as a violent, hardened man?
“It wasn’t about disrespecting the icon; it was about imagining the reality,” Sarnoski clarifies. “Early ballads weren’t always sugar-coated. Life for a medieval outlaw was brutal—violence was an ever-present reality. Robin likely lived a life defined by that danger, and as he aged, those actions would inevitably weigh on his conscience. I wanted to explore the cost of that history.”
3
How did Hugh Jackman evolve the role beyond the page?
“Hugh was remarkably brave,” Sarnoski says. “He understood that this wasn’t about playing a conventional hero. He was eager to strip away the expectations attached to his persona and dive into the darkness of this man. He brought an innate warmth that made the character’s eventual vulnerability feel earned rather than forced.”
He captured both the visceral brutality of the man and a profound, quiet humanity.
4
What was the process behind Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Little John?
Skarsgard’s physical transformation surprised many, but Sarnoski credits the actor’s immersive method. “He is an absolute chameleon,” the director notes. “He didn’t need prosthetics to change; his physicality, his voice, his posture—he fundamentally reshaped himself for the role. When he arrived on set, he carried himself with the menace of an ogre. It was genuinely startling to witness.”
5
Can you explain the significance of the bloodletting bowl used by Jodie Comer’s character?
“That bowl—the patera—is a historical artifact,” Sarnoski says. “Jodie’s research into ancient healing practices led us to the goddess Salus, who was traditionally depicted holding a dish featuring an embossed face. It highlights that the priory acts as a vessel for history that pre-dates the era. She is a custodian of ancient traditions, and that object serves as a bridge between the physical act of healing and the spiritual weight of her heritage.”
The Death of Robin Hood opens in theaters on June 19.
Source: Polygon
