Outlaw King

Critics Consensus

Muddy and bloody to a fault, Outlaw King doesn't skimp on the medieval battle scenes, but tends to lose track of the fact-based legend at the heart of its story.

63%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 144

67%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,302
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Movie Info

OUTLAW KING tells the untold, true story of Robert the Bruce who transforms from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of medieval Scotland by Edward I of England. Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of men to fight back against the mighty army of the tyrannical King and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales. Filmed in Scotland, OUTLAW KING reunites director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water) with star Chris Pine alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh and Billy Howle.

Cast

Chris Pine
as Robert the Bruce
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
as James Douglas
Florence Pugh
as Elizabeth de Burgh
Billy Howle
Sam Spruell
Tony Curran
as Angus Macdonald
Stephen Dillane
as Edward I
James Cosmo
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Critic Reviews for Outlaw King

All Critics (144) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (90) | Rotten (54)

  • Outlaw King might be summarized as one big lapse in good sense for David Mackenzie.

    Nov 29, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Ben Sachs

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • For a historical epic that probably looks even better on the big screen, it's oddly well-suited to Netflix: spectacle, yes, but nothing too specific about it.

    Nov 10, 2018 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Jesse Hassenger

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • I suppose what I'm asking is, "What's not to like?"

    Nov 10, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Edelstein

    New York Magazine/Vulture
    Top Critic

  • "Outlaw King" is an old-school history lesson, but Mackenzie presents it with a modern flare, and its themes of a small group overthrowing the ruling power are especially timely today.

    Nov 9, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Adam Graham

    Detroit News
    Top Critic

  • With the exception of a few slow spots, Outlaw King flows briskly. It's one of the better "Netflix originals" the service has provided and worth the expense of two hours.

    Nov 9, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic

  • While we likely have not seen the end of Robert the Bruce on film, this for sure is a worthy addition to the canon.

    Nov 9, 2018 | Full Review…

    Kenneth Turan

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Outlaw King

  • Jan 20, 2019
    By and large, when there's no battle taking place, Outlaw King is not a rousing success, but those fight scenes are spectacular, and recurring.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 14, 2019
    Netflix produced films have been a mixed bag. Notably, most of their content seems to be either exceptionally great or outright trash. This particular picture, Outlaw King, lies between the two extremes. Outlaw tells the story of King Robert the Bruce and the later stages of the medieval Scottish War of Independence. The inevitable comparison to Braveheart is something I will address right away. Braveheart is the more entertaining movie, and probably better if you are looking for a classic Hollywood summer blockbuster of yesteryear. Outlaw King doesn't have the same pulse but is more authentic and grittier. It certainly is a post-Game of Thrones medieval epic, in both its tone and production. King is not without flaws. The second act is fairly weak and plodding and I could see people dropping out before the film's completion. Chris Pine is a fine actor and does the best he can in this situation, but he is absolutely out of place. (My Scottish friend was quite vexed with his casting and reminded me SEVERAL times how terrible a decision this was.) Meanwhile, I was surprised how good Aaron Taylor-Johnson was as "The Black Douglas," utterly vengeful menace that he was. Johnson has often been miscast as a leading action man, and he is starting to find his niche as a character actor. Florence Pugh had great chemistry with Pine, while Billy Howle's Edward II proved an able villain. With a big budget and plenty of action, Outlaw King manages to succeed despite its weak middle section. The violence is visceral, but most of the battles prove forgettable with one exception. That exception being the climatic Battle of Loudoun Hill, a muddy and gory affair in a manner similar to The Battle of the Bastards from...well you know the rest. It also has a hell of an opening with plenty of energy, which I wished was maintained throughout the whole affair. Outlaw King is certainly worth a look if you are into this kind of material, but not essential viewing for the uninitiated.
    Joshua S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 10, 2018
    The Pine is mightier than the sword.
    Philip P Super Reviewer
  • Nov 17, 2018
    Despite the well staged combat scenes and an impressive single take sequence, "Outlaw King" can't decide if it's supposed to be a equally corny successor to "Braveheart" or the down and dirty realistic counter to that movie.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
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