Showtime Networks | Release Date: July 30, 2021
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 433 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
252
Mixed:
79
Negative:
102
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10
WaffleManRGJul 31, 2021
The people who gave this movie a bad review were mad that they had to use their brains for once. This is the irony of moviegoers today; everyone says they want something deeper and more dark than the mainstream, but when they react like thisThe people who gave this movie a bad review were mad that they had to use their brains for once. This is the irony of moviegoers today; everyone says they want something deeper and more dark than the mainstream, but when they react like this every time they get it, it's easy to see why films like this one simply aren't made anymore. For those who like to be intellectually challenged and aren't looking for quips and action scenes, this is a fantastic film with stunning cinematography, brilliant music and editing, and a great lead performance from Dev Patel. I honestly don't know what more you can ask for from an A24 movie, and yet the whiners will have a field day with this one as they always do. Expand
18 of 58 users found this helpful1840
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7
WesleyTomskyJul 31, 2021
Definitely an A24 movie, (cue spooky female witch soundtrack).
A fairly straightforward movie, looks good, sounds good, neat little mythic fantasy quest. The Green Knight himself is awesome, wish he was in it more. A tad long, and not too
Definitely an A24 movie, (cue spooky female witch soundtrack).
A fairly straightforward movie, looks good, sounds good, neat little mythic fantasy quest. The Green Knight himself is awesome, wish he was in it more. A tad long, and not too much going on between the lines, but the simple morals of piety, honoring the promise you made, and honor in the face of death work super well. "What else ought there be?"
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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6
GameBoy89Nov 9, 2021
Epic landscapes and good acting but didn’t have the payoff I was hoping for. The film kind of slips into art kid territory. A good movie to fall asleep to.
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
bertobellamyJan 22, 2022
A highly engaging adventure film with an interesting discourse about a guy torn between being himself and securing his legacy. Very mysterious and with breathtaking photography, 'The Green Knight' sure deserves a place in the great fantasyA highly engaging adventure film with an interesting discourse about a guy torn between being himself and securing his legacy. Very mysterious and with breathtaking photography, 'The Green Knight' sure deserves a place in the great fantasy films of the 21st century. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
imthenoobOct 26, 2021
Lowery is one of my favorite directors because he can take something so low-budget and make it look like a blockbuster. The Green Knight is a fantastic-looking movie that is incredibly well directed by Lowery. The cast does a phenomenal jobLowery is one of my favorite directors because he can take something so low-budget and make it look like a blockbuster. The Green Knight is a fantastic-looking movie that is incredibly well directed by Lowery. The cast does a phenomenal job as well with Patel cementing his status as a high-quality lead actor and Harris doing truly knocking it out of the park as an older King Arthur.

The only thing keeping this movie down for me are two different parts. The first was the entire interlude chapter, I felt it was a bit unnecessary and could have been cut to quicken things up a bit. The second is that there is a vision that happens in the movie that takes a little too long to reach the point that it needed to make. Slight flaws but it definitely affected the pacing a little bit.

Other than that, The Green Knight is a unique and satisfying experience, which is something we don't get a lot of anymore.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
MattBrady99Feb 4, 2022
"Now... off with your head."

'The Green Knight' is a Christmas movie! Live with it or live in denial. David Lowery is now a director to keep an extra eye on, in terms of his next project. It's rare these days that we get these super weird
"Now... off with your head."

'The Green Knight' is a Christmas movie! Live with it or live in denial.

David Lowery is now a director to keep an extra eye on, in terms of his next project.

It's rare these days that we get these super weird adult fantasy movies that feels like 'The Princess Bride', but more...well, adult. Everything on a technical and production level is flawless. Protection design, costumes, make-up, score, visual effects, and the cinematography.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
ValBalNov 1, 2021
This is one of those rare times when I regret not looking into the film prior to watching it the first time. Certain elements of this film I didn't recognize at first and it changes the way u see the movie. I love the tone, I'd love moreThis is one of those rare times when I regret not looking into the film prior to watching it the first time. Certain elements of this film I didn't recognize at first and it changes the way u see the movie. I love the tone, I'd love more fantasy films this dark and mysterious. I'd love to see this world explored further too. It's really fascinating and balanced to the point where it feels like u're watching a historical piece which makes it much more believable. I love how the film is full of symbolism that you can spend hours discussing after the film is over. Its themes are also not something that's out in the open I believe. I have my ideas of what this film is truly about but I can't say that I know for a fact. I have to watch it a few times more. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
awcowanSep 25, 2022
A great film. Well worth your time. Felt original and fresh, and I can get behind that.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
NomaxMay 31, 2022
Фильм очень красиво снят, актеры и атмосфера на высоте , сюжет оставляет множество мыслей для теорий и в то же время несёт поучительный смысл , смотрится с удовольствием.Фильм очень красиво снят, актеры и атмосфера на высоте , сюжет оставляет множество мыслей для теорий и в то же время несёт поучительный смысл , смотрится с удовольствием.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
AJ_13Oct 28, 2021
What a film, what a script, what a performances, what a cinematography, what a sound, what an ending!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
TheSikvelOct 22, 2021
I don’t know how to describe the feeling of the film. I really liked it and tightened it, although at first it seemed rejecting. The visual is good. The scenery is beautiful. The story is interesting. The ending is great. Everything aboutI don’t know how to describe the feeling of the film. I really liked it and tightened it, although at first it seemed rejecting. The visual is good. The scenery is beautiful. The story is interesting. The ending is great. Everything about this film is both strange and beautiful at the same time. I think I did not understand some of the ideas laid down by the authors, so I cannot fully evaluate this work. There is some magic in this movie. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
arbazahsanOct 28, 2021
One of the best movies with an amazing performance from Dev Patel. A different story with a thrilling character arc, definitely worth a watch.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Perseus69Dec 27, 2021
This is an original and distinctive work of cinema. As such, it will not make everyone happy, and cannot be perfect. I always appreciate any attempt, successful or not, to make movies with a vision. The visuals are perfect, the scoreThis is an original and distinctive work of cinema. As such, it will not make everyone happy, and cannot be perfect. I always appreciate any attempt, successful or not, to make movies with a vision. The visuals are perfect, the score hypnotic. Casting, as usual in this day and age, can be debatable, but acting is good and effective. The pace is glacially slow, and it is meant to be so. This is not an action movie, but a dreamy work of visual art. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
strawhashiraJan 16, 2022
A immersive, breath-taking fantasy adventure that’s surely not what you expect
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
FvnfvnfvnMay 11, 2022
The Green Knight, while more inconsequential then some of its other sibling films from A24 is an interesting take on the Arthurian Legend of Sir Gawain. While on a sub-textual level this film speaks volumes about honor, courage and the dutyThe Green Knight, while more inconsequential then some of its other sibling films from A24 is an interesting take on the Arthurian Legend of Sir Gawain. While on a sub-textual level this film speaks volumes about honor, courage and the duty of all people uphold their own moral codes that actual events of the movie seem quite scatter and vague. From time to time I found myself questioning the wandering nature of this film as shuffled along on Gawain's quest. This however was punctuated by several moment in the film which felt real and impactful to the character of Gawain himself. These are the real highlight of the film and feel more meaningful then set pieces they director is trying to show off. While I do appreciate how gorgeous this film is I think a little bit more care could have put towards the writing of the plot and how each thread of the film ties together in the its abrupt but heart felt climax. This is definitely something you should watch if you have the spare time to do so. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
DuskybatfishgrlNov 26, 2021
This film is elegant, funny, thoughtful and above all; a cinematic jewel. Why aren’t more people talking this film it seems to have vanished from discourse…
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
hammbone18Nov 23, 2021
Really good movie. The acting, production, directing all superb. It was a very refreshing take on the fantasy genre. It had no fears in pushing boundaries and carving its own path. It is not an action movie, so don’t go into it expectingReally good movie. The acting, production, directing all superb. It was a very refreshing take on the fantasy genre. It had no fears in pushing boundaries and carving its own path. It is not an action movie, so don’t go into it expecting that. Go in with no expectations and just be ready for something different. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
GrasantFoxinJan 15, 2022
Great movie that tells story about honor and betrayal, virtue and lust, apprecation of life and acceptance of death. Moral of this story is unknown. It's unknown because everyone need to discover moral on their own. Green Knight is storyGreat movie that tells story about honor and betrayal, virtue and lust, apprecation of life and acceptance of death. Moral of this story is unknown. It's unknown because everyone need to discover moral on their own. Green Knight is story about choice and it's consequenses. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
ChanekeCholoJan 23, 2022
Here we have one of the most confusing and uncertain films of the year. You must do your homework to understand and enjoy this hypnotic and haunting adventure. Just knowing the five virtues of a knight which are: Generosity, Friendship,Here we have one of the most confusing and uncertain films of the year. You must do your homework to understand and enjoy this hypnotic and haunting adventure. Just knowing the five virtues of a knight which are: Generosity, Friendship, Chastity, Mercy and Chivalry, you'll have enough information to understand in more detail the purpose of the film, but, that doesn't mean that it'll solve all your doubts, which will be many.
Even though I didn't understand at first, I could recognize that the script is quite well done, because it has many interesting and iconic dialogues. The performances are quite wondrous and each of them is quite appreciated. David Lowery shows us his most ambitious project to date, the level of production is very high, both production design and visual effects. Not to mention the gorgeous cinematography, one of the most remarkable of the year, I hope it gets an Academy Awards nomination.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
Aaryan16Dec 21, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A very relatable character who goes through tests for his masculinity and fails miserably until accepting death. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
FoxHound24Jun 10, 2022
Every movie could use a talking fox companion, it turns anything into a 10/10 masterpiece right out the bat.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
CarlElmoreNov 24, 2022
Some amazing visuals and great moments. One of the best looking films from 2021.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
BratzkiSoBJan 1, 2023
Excellent film. Visually striking, atmospheric, with some uniques elements. Thought provoking which I assume is the challenging part for many of the reviewers and I suspect a number of them are young and in need of something with a quickerExcellent film. Visually striking, atmospheric, with some uniques elements. Thought provoking which I assume is the challenging part for many of the reviewers and I suspect a number of them are young and in need of something with a quicker pace that spells everything out for them. I avoid previews and detailed reviews so that I can honestly enjoy a good movie like this for leading me somewhere that did not I was going even without the obligatory demand for a plot-twist. Well done. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
ManofReasonAug 22, 2021
As with nearly any subject nowadays, opinions are quickly polarised with broad and often incorrect assumptions - one being that if you don't think The Green Knight is very good, you are brainless cretin who does not appreciate non-mainstreamAs with nearly any subject nowadays, opinions are quickly polarised with broad and often incorrect assumptions - one being that if you don't think The Green Knight is very good, you are brainless cretin who does not appreciate non-mainstream cinema.

But it is quite possible to have a deep understanding of the possibilities of convention breaking cinema, yet still regard The Green Knight as pretentious and hollow. For some reason, many film critics, perhaps starved of genuine new visionaries, have latched on to Lowery as a new 'voice' who has at least has the outward appearance of being fresh and profound.

Why does Lynch's voice seem so strange yet also so very effective? Somehow, the specifics of his craft combine with a sensibility that commands your attention. One of the problems with Lowery is his craft actually obstructs your engagement. Overly showy shots and excessive reliance on cross-cut editing undermine the sense of engagement with the overall concept and give the film the consistency of a high level music video. The film also asserts its own greatness with an insistent score that has more in common with conventional Hollywood underscoring than it thinks. Lowery wants you to feel the impact of every image, yet you are never given the opportunity to engage, even on a subconscious level, as the film rarely settles long enough on any scene to be immersive, preferring to restlessly cut away. So the film feels both slow and very rushed at the same time.

Unfortunately, whatever his intention was, Lowery's vision does not reach a level where it feels even necessary to analyse his interpretation of the original poem. Dev Patel is good though.
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9 of 10 users found this helpful91
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2
SpecimenBSep 20, 2021
If you want to get an idea of how bad this movie is, take a gander at all the fake 10 reviews. More than half are accounts created just to give a 10 to this movie. Google one of them and the only activity you'll see are other movie reviewIf you want to get an idea of how bad this movie is, take a gander at all the fake 10 reviews. More than half are accounts created just to give a 10 to this movie. Google one of them and the only activity you'll see are other movie review sites where they give this movie a 10. The cinematography is pretty, but the direction is a disjointed acid trip. They took a classic movie and remade it into a progressive, inclusive and pretentious art show. The kind of art show where people worship the man-bun, ascot-wearing artist who stands in front of a blade of grass and applauds its profoundness. Expand
11 of 13 users found this helpful112
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4
AcidCasualSep 27, 2021
Interesting cast, who have shown they have potential, however it all seemed muted, not enough of anything to make it good.

Films like this are not intended to be clever, so to think there's a higher level of attention needed, nah, don't fall for it.
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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4
EeJaySep 5, 2021
Truly terrible. To be sure, well acted with good costuming, but those things alone never make a good movie. It was clearly written by someone who thinks they are brilliant, with artistic talent, but in actuality sorely lacks both. About anTruly terrible. To be sure, well acted with good costuming, but those things alone never make a good movie. It was clearly written by someone who thinks they are brilliant, with artistic talent, but in actuality sorely lacks both. About an hour in I was wishing for the green knight to storm into the theatre and take off my head rather than finish the movie. Expand
5 of 6 users found this helpful51
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6
BigEggsKitchenJul 30, 2021
I would give it a 6.5/10 I was disappointed in it - there’s some really really bad CGI in the background shots; they have an entire animal CGI that is with him for a while and it just took me out of it. There are some amazing shots andI would give it a 6.5/10 I was disappointed in it - there’s some really really bad CGI in the background shots; they have an entire animal CGI that is with him for a while and it just took me out of it. There are some amazing shots and costuming but it was more along the lines of like a Harry Potter or lord of the rings in tone- it wasn’t anything like I thought it was gonna be. I’m glad I saw it but it didn’t knock me off my feet like I thought it would Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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4
hesnotdrunkSep 27, 2021
Another art-house romp tarnished by its pretentiousness, with the goal to get the admiration of the critics while leaving audiences in the dust using vignettes of "artsy" sequences sprinkled throughout. Unlike the extreme edge ofAnother art-house romp tarnished by its pretentiousness, with the goal to get the admiration of the critics while leaving audiences in the dust using vignettes of "artsy" sequences sprinkled throughout. Unlike the extreme edge of pretentiousness, director Lowery at least attempts to make the story watchable with bits of greatness that make it worth the effort if you appreciate cinema, albeit at an offensively slow pace (couldn't say the same for "Ghost Story", the other extreme of art-house trash that is somehow convincing modern critics to overlook the excessive pretentiousness in favor of a balanced approach). It is shot beautifully, very well acted, and actually well directed, but the pace and artsy vignettes are the death blow, with still shots and awkward sequences (a blindfolded woman just sitting in random places for the sake of "allegory", for example) that tend to take the reigns more often than they should. Head shrugging, to say the least, but it worked to convince the critics. Yet, as you can see based on the polarized audience reviews, anyone who doesn't buy into the pretentious notion of "I created an important work of cosmic art attempting to tap into the transcendent nature of reality" understandably found it a hopeless pursuit.

You are taking 130 minutes of an audiences time, it would be nice to take that into consideration when putting together the final cut. Otherwise, you're making the film for yourself, and giving it much more importance than is due (ostentatious obliviousness). Luckily the bits that are good make it worth the overall effort (if you are willing to sit through it).
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4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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2
EildranAug 23, 2021
This movie is beautifully shot, with decent acting. That is the only positive thing to say. It's boring as sin, nevermind, sin is actually fun... This is just.... Paint drying. It's well shot as I mentioned, but it feels like you sit thereThis movie is beautifully shot, with decent acting. That is the only positive thing to say. It's boring as sin, nevermind, sin is actually fun... This is just.... Paint drying. It's well shot as I mentioned, but it feels like you sit there for 2 hours to watch nothing happen. It's aweful. No action at all, just a slow pensive walk in the woods with a lackluster plot and very little if any character development. I simply cannot recommend this movie to anyone looking to be entertained.

It really shows how sad the movie industry is with payed reviews. There is no way anyone with integrity could give this film 100%

As more people watch I'm sure you will see the average drop substantially.. shame on you critics.
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6 of 8 users found this helpful62
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4
MilinchoAug 22, 2021
Beyond style over substance. Stupidity over substance. Nonsense over substance. "Coolism" over substance. Don't expect any logic, plot sense or credible character behavior, just swallow Lowery's artsy pretentious crap. Don't think about theBeyond style over substance. Stupidity over substance. Nonsense over substance. "Coolism" over substance. Don't expect any logic, plot sense or credible character behavior, just swallow Lowery's artsy pretentious crap. Don't think about the ridiculous nonsense that is fed to you, just "feel" that this is good and you will be one of those special and unique people that "get it". Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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5
gabcrayNov 24, 2021
the film is more concerned with its aesthetics than developing the story in a watchable way. Patel looks great here but doesn't elevate the movie and I don't buy the ending. Another "smart" movie from A24 for film twitter. It's very uninteresting.
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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4
dembrewskiAug 2, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have not read the source material and have only seen this once. So take this review as an initial reaction to the movie on its own merits.

First the positives, the film was a gorgeous piece of imagery with some excellent music and sound design that really conveyed the mood at any given moment. The final flash forward sequence of him aging was a great piece of story telling that required absolutely no dialogue and yet you knew what was happening and what the characters were feeling. Green knight character design was fantastic.

Now the confusing:
There were so many things in this movie that were introduced and then produced no pay off. They felt random and unmotivated and as far as I can tell had no impact on the story.
-the fire at the beginning
-the giants in the valley (gotta get that boob shot in somehow I guess)
-the fox
-the thief stealing the axe
-the blind folded woman
-the warning from the severed head stating "the green knight is someone you know" even though we had not met the lord at the castle yet.
All of these things and more were put in the film intentionally and yet seemed to be pointless additions.

Disconnected:
The flow of this film felt hindered by a lack of connection between scenes or motivation leading from one scene to the next. Now he's wandering and he finds mushrooms, now he starts seeing things, now it's day again and he's wandering, and now there are giants...just because, and now the giants are gone, and now he's wandering upside down some more. Beautiful imagery that feels hollow.

Clarity:
By the end of the film you're supposed to realize the fox (in its one piece of dialogue) has the voice of his mother, and the green knight has the voice of the lord from the castle. I found this out only once I looked up more info after finishing the movie, during the film it was not clear, I think mainly because of the sound design distorting the voices enough to keep me from placing them. Also, I did not recognize that the brothel girl and the lords wife were the same person, but I think that's more due to me being the type of person that would be fooled by Clark Kent's glasses.

Overall, my initial reaction was one of disappointment. In another viewing I may enjoy this more, but the marketing had me expecting a dark fantastical epic about the journey and growth of a young knight on a quest. Instead I think they should've marketed this as the abstract fever dream that it was, and I think in that situation my disappointment would be lesser.
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5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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3
HerrnewbenmeistAug 21, 2021
For me, it was a pallid, joyless affair that stitched together sequences of blunt metaphors without much care for what their purpose was or whether they made narrative sense.

I like the source material, although I wouldn't be against
For me, it was a pallid, joyless affair that stitched together sequences of blunt metaphors without much care for what their purpose was or whether they made narrative sense.

I like the source material, although I wouldn't be against modifying it. Here though, the original themes are thrown out and just a little of the setting is roughly used.

The pompous arthouse titlecards are the cherry on top. I don't need enormous blocks of art noveau text announcing a twee intertitle every ten minutes, thank you.

To reviewers who say anything along the lines of "The people who gave this movie a bad review were mad that they had to use their brains for once," you're the emperor in his new clothes, but without the imperial title. I guess you're just naked idiots.

People who like this movie and don't feel the need to bag on others, you're cool.
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7 of 10 users found this helpful73
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8
DaveyBoySmithJul 31, 2021
I actually signed up to show this movie some love as I'd rightly assumed that a lot of viewers would be thrashing it.

'The Green Knight' is essentially a coming-of-age tale, its plot restructured and themes re-emphasized to serve as an
I actually signed up to show this movie some love as I'd rightly assumed that a lot of viewers would be thrashing it.

'The Green Knight' is essentially a coming-of-age tale, its plot restructured and themes re-emphasized to serve as an allegory for the anxiety of impending adulthood (or manhood) - that phase of life when we are expected to assume responsibility and to carve out a path for ourselves. While the production values are beguiling the movie cannot, due to the opaqueness of its plot, its contemplativeness and reliance on symbolism, be judged and appreciated solely on the merits of high-fantasy. As an (imo) unsuccessful attempt at enhancing the already considerable moodiness many scenes aren't adequately lit, whilst many events are frustratingly hazy. An air of melancholy surrounds the entire enterprise.

The Green Knight is auteur cinema in the truest and best sense, and an assurance that the Hollywood studio system still allows for personal movie-making in big-budget genre cinema. It is a lovely counterpoint to Peter Jackson's bombastic, but kitschy Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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6 of 9 users found this helpful63
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7
UncleWillardAug 19, 2021
I love the original, classic tale, and while this version pads it with what is not told in that, it sticks to the main plot at its core. It's a wonderfully stylized version of that, creating a world that oozes mythology. The world built hereI love the original, classic tale, and while this version pads it with what is not told in that, it sticks to the main plot at its core. It's a wonderfully stylized version of that, creating a world that oozes mythology. The world built here seems to team with ghosts, tales, and the superstition of the time in which it's set. Gorgeous to look at, well-acted, and well-directed, I got lost in this world (barring the terrible cgi fox). While it sticks to that original story, the added depth, especially near the end, reminds me of The Last Temptation of Christ. That's not a bad thing, though it is a tad unoriginal, and kinda mucks up the theme of the chivalric poem. Still, this is something you won't often see in today's cinema and worth the time. Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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6
Brent_MarchantAug 15, 2021
The Green Knight and Round Table champion Sir Gawain are the stuff of legends -- literally -- and in more permutations than one can probably readily identify. Which is something that undoubtedly contributes to some of the recurring confusionThe Green Knight and Round Table champion Sir Gawain are the stuff of legends -- literally -- and in more permutations than one can probably readily identify. Which is something that undoubtedly contributes to some of the recurring confusion associated with director David Lowery's latest take on these storied characters. In drawing from multiple source materials, the filmmaker appears to have come up with his own version of this legend, one that, in typical Lowery fashion, is not always the easiest to follow without making some assumptions and entering the theater with considerable foreknowledge of the subject matter. Even those somewhat familiar with the mythology may find themselves confused when they witness some events unfold that don't appear to jibe with whatever knowledge they may already possess. Add to that a number of protracted sequences that should have been heavily edited (especially in the dreadfully dull opening 30 minutes), and viewers are left with quite a frustrating movie experience. To its credit, some sequences are skillfully handled (such as those involving Barry Keoghan in a superb supporting performance), and a number of thematic issues are deftly raised and discussed. Dev Patel's portrayal of the intrepid hero is also commendable, a role that, at first glance, may seem like an unusual casting choice. But, considering how much of this film seems to leave audiences (even informed ones) in the dark, one can't help but wonder why the director makes his pictures so needlessly difficult to fathom. While it's understandable that spoon-feeding is certainly unacceptable, the same can be said for being excessively cryptic, a quality that seems to characterize -- and plague -- this filmmaker's work. Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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9
CaretNov 9, 2021
The story focuses on the main character's journey to become a brave knight.

It is surreal but has a good delivery. It has a nice cast of supporting characters. The ending is ambiguous (in an irritating way). Its one of those movies which
The story focuses on the main character's journey to become a brave knight.

It is surreal but has a good delivery.
It has a nice cast of supporting characters.

The ending is ambiguous (in an irritating way).

Its one of those movies which focuses more on the "journey" rather than the "plot".
I think it managed to pull this off and give us a great story.
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
saucyninja007Jul 30, 2021
This movie will be divisive and its misleading marketing will do it no favors. I did not love it or hate it but I still think you should see it because it is unique. This is a spoiler free review. Starting with the positives. This movieThis movie will be divisive and its misleading marketing will do it no favors. I did not love it or hate it but I still think you should see it because it is unique. This is a spoiler free review. Starting with the positives. This movie captures the grit of the medieval period but is at the same time very mysterious and otherworldly. The storytelling is predominately visual and creative in its approach. Believable acting throughout and nothing is spoon-fed to the audience. The dialogue is delivered perfectly and authentically and I loved the color palette that was used. There is an incredible sequence near the end of the movie that I will not spoil. Now the negatives. At times I felt the film was too abstract or too moody for its own good. The pace of the film is slow and stays that way throughout. People expecting a lot of action will be disappointed (the trailer shows basically all of the "action" highlights). There are some fairly significant changes from the source material that I feel undermine the core message of the film and lead to a somewhat unsatisying ending. If you are unfamiliar with the source material you may be confused at times. Expand
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
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6
StrumboreAug 2, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was looking forward to this, but much like the protagonist, the closer the date came, the more dread I felt. Some people are saying the movie was hard to understand...it isn't. Remember "Excalibur"? How Arthur *literally* was the land? Well, in this movie, Gawain *figuratively* is mankind. I dare anyone to say that doesn't make sense. The problem for me is where the director sees mankind headed--or rather, his sloppy indecision about whether or not Gawain will be headed.

I like cynical movies, cynical games...big Souls-like fan, here. But what this movie did was take what was arguably a hopeful allegory for humankind's potential for redemption and turn it into a prophecy of humankind's self-annihilation. This isn't exactly a twist in the movie; it's obvious where the film is headed, so you're really just wondering if our hero can turn it around before he reaches the end of his journey. The fact that he doesn't is foreshadowed before he gets there: The book-transcribing wife of the wealthy lord near the end of the movie 'confesses' to our hero that where she sees possible improvements in a book she is duplicating for her collection, she 'makes them'. This is just what the writer/director has attempted to do. And the cynical side of me says this was the only 'modern', 'intellectual' interpretation that makes sense. There is a fitting symmetry between this movie's prophecy and the hopelessness we feel about society. Edgar Allen Poe should be jealous.

That would have been enough to get the film 7 stars, for being smart but predictable. What knocks it down to 6 is that this ending is revealed to be the miserable outlook of our hero torn between honorably meeting his end and running back home. It seems as though a test audience secured an honorable (and abrupt) end for Gawain's journey after all. So, facing his inevitable destruction with no tricks up our hero's sleeve, this miserable movie ends...on a joke. Like an episode of Seinfeld. I'm very sure that in the coming weeks we will hear that there was some indecision about how to end the movie and this ending is basically the equivalent of Harrison Ford mumbling his voice over through Blade Runner.

"Support the arts" and all that **** but you should just see this movie at home, through a streaming service with a diverse production portfolio, and probably not right before bed or bath, in case the ugliness of the 'true ending' moves you to suicide.
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3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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2
Colig54Aug 23, 2021
A promising setting is quickly spoiled by a surrealist trip into what could quite easily be described as LSD inspired waste of bloody time.
7 of 12 users found this helpful75
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9
spacerboiJul 31, 2021
I‘ve seen this film twice now and I absolutely adore it. The movie is slow, hasn’t got a clear tension arc and doesn’t lay out all the puzzle pieces for the audience. The Green Night expects you to have patience, is told in a fairytale kindI‘ve seen this film twice now and I absolutely adore it. The movie is slow, hasn’t got a clear tension arc and doesn’t lay out all the puzzle pieces for the audience. The Green Night expects you to have patience, is told in a fairytale kind of way as there are many crossroads that the hero has to encounter and shows a world that is full of wonder and a subtle but deep lore.

I recommend this movie to anyone who is not afraid to come out of its comfort zone and is willing to show patience in order to see what’s so special about this gem. 9/10
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7 of 12 users found this helpful75
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9
jsnowellAug 3, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A fantastic imagining of a story that deserved to be told. With a track record of epic violence and devastating endings, A24 gave me what I was NOT expecting. The Green Knight is pure adventure with a splash of those staples A24 is known for. It’s wonderful. And… while it’s 2 hours, it truly doesn’t feel like it. Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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6
derekwoodsJul 31, 2021
Unfortunately style over substance. Clearly made with love, but there’s more passion in the crafting of the film than the characters seem to have being in the story. Better at posing questions than answering them, not that one expected toUnfortunately style over substance. Clearly made with love, but there’s more passion in the crafting of the film than the characters seem to have being in the story. Better at posing questions than answering them, not that one expected to leave with a fully clear picture, but the story itself feels unclear on what it’s trying to achieve, leaving us even less certain. Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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9
BeardedYodaJul 31, 2021
The Green Knight will almost certainly be a divisive topic for film buffs and movie-goers for a period of time. The film is very different from most movies, even including A24 films. However, it is of my opinion that The Green Knight is aThe Green Knight will almost certainly be a divisive topic for film buffs and movie-goers for a period of time. The film is very different from most movies, even including A24 films. However, it is of my opinion that The Green Knight is a beautiful work of art that not only looks gorgeous, but also has a well written main character and meaningful themes that have been woven through out the films two hour run time. This film is definitely meant for a niche audience, but if you have heard about The Green Knight and want to check it out, I absolutely recommend you do so and form your own opinion of it. Words of warning though, much like the types of ancient medieval literature the film was based on, there is more of an emphasis on the main character and themes in the story, rather than a focus on why and how things happen in the story. This is a change in direction that is sure to turn some people off of the film, but I grew to appreciate it and hope you will too. Expand
9 of 16 users found this helpful97
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3
WdwireSep 21, 2021
Shlubby. Liked the end, which was the best part. The rest was all “this man is special and needs to be taught the lessons of life by women.”
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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5
NotablecookieJul 30, 2021
A very visually pretty movie with some of the best shot scenes in any film that I've seen. However I found myself struggling to enjoy the film. Many of the changes from the classic poem acted as a deconstruction of the ideas of honor andA very visually pretty movie with some of the best shot scenes in any film that I've seen. However I found myself struggling to enjoy the film. Many of the changes from the classic poem acted as a deconstruction of the ideas of honor and knightly virtue bit failed to provide any alternative message with any depth. Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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3
BulkingbadJul 30, 2021
The cinematography here was excellent. The acting was superb…but my god wtf was that? A24 missed the mark. Hard. Slow burns do not equal bad movie. Tension and atmosphere over action do not equal bad movie. Every second of screen time usedThe cinematography here was excellent. The acting was superb…but my god wtf was that? A24 missed the mark. Hard. Slow burns do not equal bad movie. Tension and atmosphere over action do not equal bad movie. Every second of screen time used here was slow and methodical and meant to be thought provoking but instead you’re left scratching your head after every sequence. It all adds up to the most lackluster climax I’ve ever seen. I’m so disappointed. Expand
13 of 24 users found this helpful1311
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1
CinemaBoiAug 7, 2021
I've never written this before: I am actively discouraging you from seeing this. The high-pitched women's wailing is still ringing in my head.

Most negative reviews here say this movie is boring. They're not wrong. But they're missing the
I've never written this before: I am actively discouraging you from seeing this. The high-pitched women's wailing is still ringing in my head.

Most negative reviews here say this movie is boring. They're not wrong. But they're missing the point. It's boring because this is a horribly, horribly told story. It's a knight's quest. A journey toward manhood and responsibility. But we don't track with the main character in that process at all. You just don't feel it.

Amazing how critics always fall for style. They actively ignore how crappy the storytelling is because they're so hypnotized by all the costumes and dissolves. WTF were those giants about?
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11 of 22 users found this helpful1111
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9
AXidenTJul 31, 2021
I feel this film is far more compelling to those who are familiar with the source material as many of the deviations from the poem work as a response or commentary on it. I find this choice quite surprising given how unknown the originalI feel this film is far more compelling to those who are familiar with the source material as many of the deviations from the poem work as a response or commentary on it. I find this choice quite surprising given how unknown the original story would be to the vast majority of the audience, but I admire the filmmakers for doing this.

It's difficult for me to imagine how I'd have found this movie if I hadn't read the poem first, but I think a lot of the themes and plot elements certainly would have gone over my head. Despite this there's was a lot to like here for those unfamiliar with the story and it is certainly one of the best medieval fantasy films I've seen.
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5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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10
Glic2003Jul 31, 2021
Wonderful Christmas movie. Going to go see it again next year. Beautiful cinematography and captivating performances.
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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9
dtdadrockAug 1, 2021
A stunning Arthurian allegory. Do a little reading and your joy from this film will be truly enhanced!
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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9
flawedxJul 31, 2021
Beautifully shot movie. Seems like a simple tale, but has a lot goin on. Slow, yet worth the time invested.
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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10
TecneekAug 2, 2021
Truly stunning. To say this film is beautiful to look at is an understatement. It’s a story of honor, of how one knight is faced with different tests that challenge that, and you see him fail and succeed throughout his journey. I absolutelyTruly stunning. To say this film is beautiful to look at is an understatement. It’s a story of honor, of how one knight is faced with different tests that challenge that, and you see him fail and succeed throughout his journey. I absolutely loved the ending. What incredible performances too from all the major cast members. This is NOT a film for everyone. I can’t wait to see it again at home on the big screen with subtitles to fully take in every bit of dialogue. I’m still thinking about it 48 hours after watching it. 9.5/10. Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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9
chris74Aug 1, 2021
Great movie! Best I have seen this year! Great lead, fantastic camera and music!
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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9
VohnkarAug 4, 2021
This is art house at its finest. A movie for film buffs and critics, admittedly not so much for general audiences. The script isn't "a mess" or "incoherent" as some have noted. It's abstract, open ended, laden with foreshadowing, crypticThis is art house at its finest. A movie for film buffs and critics, admittedly not so much for general audiences. The script isn't "a mess" or "incoherent" as some have noted. It's abstract, open ended, laden with foreshadowing, cryptic iconography and symbolism, but I can assure you that it was constructed with some serious intention. "How does a movie like this get made?" whimpers one reviewer. And I agree, but for different reasons entirely: HOW does a fantastic piece of art like this even get made in a multiverse of generic filmgoers endlessly pushing future bargain bin superhero flicks in order to sustain - perhaps subconsciously - our current collective state of arrested development in an era of never-ending crises? Is it because we feel so impotent in the face of it all? Because we need to believe in heroes THAT badly? Is there no room for art/media that leans into our fears, that confronts our weaknesses and shortcomings in an honest but noble way? We could analyze this for days, but the answer is easy: I do not know. I also do not know how to critique this film without critiquing audiences. But that's the real fun in movies like these, isn't it ;) Alas, I don't care if loving this film for the above-noted reasons makes me and others like me pretentious. I'm glad it got made and I'm glad it pissed some people off. Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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2
iMatt42Aug 22, 2021
Was not the type of movie I was expecting. I was hoping for a more action and lore based Arthurian movie. I don’t understand why the film industry lately has to make everything so “angsty”. There is no laughter and no fun to be had in thisWas not the type of movie I was expecting. I was hoping for a more action and lore based Arthurian movie. I don’t understand why the film industry lately has to make everything so “angsty”. There is no laughter and no fun to be had in this movie. Just one dark and dreary scene after another. I’m still waiting for an Arthurian movie to do the legends justice. I did enjoy the casting. The actors were believable in their portrayals of the characters they played. Just wish there was a jovial scene or two where the characters actually spoke in a normal voice instead of hushed whispers. Please someone make an Arthurian movie that fits the fantasy that lives in everyone’s minds. Instead of adapting some part of the story for artistic purposes. I’ll just go back to rewatching Excalibur for the umpteenth time until that day comes. Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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10
MikeMortAug 11, 2021
A stunning, visionary work of art. Challenging, surreal, and scary, with an excellent performance from Patel.
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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10
DyeusAug 1, 2021
A truly surreal and gripping movie about personal introspection. The acting and writing are almost flawless and the dialogues well accompanies the mood and pace of the film. Don't bring your personal baggage into the theatre and Enjoy theA truly surreal and gripping movie about personal introspection. The acting and writing are almost flawless and the dialogues well accompanies the mood and pace of the film. Don't bring your personal baggage into the theatre and Enjoy the movie on it's own terms. Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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8
moviemitch96Jul 30, 2021
In this medieval fantasy adventure, young knight Sir Gawain must undertake a quest of honor against the titular Green Knight after accepting a dangerous challenge from him. He journeys out to find and face him, all while encountering variousIn this medieval fantasy adventure, young knight Sir Gawain must undertake a quest of honor against the titular Green Knight after accepting a dangerous challenge from him. He journeys out to find and face him, all while encountering various other dangers and obstacles before him. First off, this film is epic in almost every respect. From the breathtaking cinematography to the musical score, this film really is something to behold. What's more, leading man Dev Patel (best known as the breakout star of Oscar darling 'Slumdog Millionaire') gives a bold, career-defining performance here. Storywise, it really does feel rooted in medieval folklore with many of the tropes you'd expect from a story like this, but also enough unique style and creative choices to help it stand out among the rest in the best way possible. And granted, while the pacing may be a bit slow at times and the final 10 minutes or so feeling a little stretched out, the film definitely left me pretty satisfied and entertained with quite the epic adventure. So overall, it's a must-see for all the dungeons and dragons/medieval fans and nerds at heart, but this is one epic quest that's certain to leave almost anyone wowed and breathless. Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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9
ismacinefiloAug 20, 2021
The movie is just perfect on its own, magical and beautiful, with some of the best shots i've seen in my whole life. Beautifully crafted
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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10
veshchesAug 8, 2021
I feel like this is a movie that needs your complete attention and needs to be seen in a theater. If you are in the mode for that kind of film it really pays off. Beautiful production and a nice morality tale.
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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0
2deadcatzOct 4, 2021
Boring garbage and horrible acting wth A24? I am just typing words so that metacritic let me post this review ignore this
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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8
Xenomorph_killsJul 30, 2021
This movie is presented as a mystical folk tale. An odd tale full of metaphors that may or may not be taken literally when you watch it. That being said, it is a powerful tale with emotion and complexity in a Chivalrous Knight that hasn'tThis movie is presented as a mystical folk tale. An odd tale full of metaphors that may or may not be taken literally when you watch it. That being said, it is a powerful tale with emotion and complexity in a Chivalrous Knight that hasn't been seen before. The idea of honor that we see in all knights is looked at with a magnifying glass. Dev Patel is amazing in this as he shows a wide range of emotions through the characters journey. This movie is not straight forward and a lot will be left up to interpretation. Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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10
VelAmiAug 18, 2021
Definitely not for everyone but it deeply resonated with me.
Be very open to it and do yourself the favor of watching it.
Preferably on the big screen! One of the top best three films of 2021 in my opinion. Pros: - Amazing images. - Sound and
Definitely not for everyone but it deeply resonated with me.
Be very open to it and do yourself the favor of watching it.
Preferably on the big screen!
One of the top best three films of 2021 in my opinion. Pros:
- Amazing images.
- Sound and music.
- A story of past understanding of honor. Cons:
- It drags at certain points (but not as bad as in A Ghost Story).
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3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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10
efechanAug 11, 2021
Great movie. You should used to arthouse movies before watching this masterpiece, its not a blockbuster movie.
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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8
85scenesAug 7, 2021
WHOOO Boy this movie. The Green Knight is one of the trippiest, most artsy farsty, balls to the wall insane, self indulgent movies I’ve ever seen. The Green Knight is a movie you will not finish if you don’t watch in theaters or completelyWHOOO Boy this movie. The Green Knight is one of the trippiest, most artsy farsty, balls to the wall insane, self indulgent movies I’ve ever seen. The Green Knight is a movie you will not finish if you don’t watch in theaters or completely stoned. It’s a stunning **** of a film, and you will absolutely feel guilty if you convince your friends to come to see it with you.

Visually Aesthetic Self-Indulgent Pornography:

Simply put, the movie is art. It’s cinematic art. Aesthetically stunning, splashed with brave, vivid colors throughout. The use of stark, solid lighting is almost auteur, but it’s an excellent example of when to have a solid colored backlight to indicate some sort of theme or magic.

Over and over, we’re presented with gorgeous environments and sets, and downright jaw-dropping moments of pure imagination brought to life. The film is visually incredible, and it’s going to be a complete trip if you see it in any form of inebriation.

Narrative Innovation

The film doesn’t follow a traditional narrative structure. I didn’t know this until after, but it’s based on a poem, depicting a legend from the King Arthur pantheon of stories. The film is dreamy, floating the journey from one event to another, growing and shaping our Sir Gawain. Each event is entrancing and magical, a tale in of itself. It’s a weary traveler’s tale that he tells on each stop to his final destination. An anthology of magic and absurdity.

However, this aloof, slow, airy sort of story telling draws long and difficult, to the point that it’s nearly insufferable by the end. The slow, misty acting gets old, and at one point you’ll think, **** I get it. Hurry up and finish it already. The film has style, but this haze gets too thick and becomes detrimental, and the film shoots itself in the foot.

Slow Motion Wailing

This hoity-toity sort of storytelling is present in its dialogue as well, and you’re forced to strain for each line. The film takes place in a medieval era, and they commit to it- hard. It’s difficult to understand many times, and some of the narrative or supernatural exposition becomes nearly impossible to understand.

The film separates its chapters with visual cue text, and at one point, the font becomes so authentic it’s illegible. When the text presented itself, there was an audible, simultaneous ‘What?’ from nearly the entire theater. We forgot ourselves, and in one go, the film confused everyone. The film forces you to force your attention to be at its peak the entire two hour run, which is nigh impossible ere the modern era.

Playing Now in Ye Olde Coliseum

Despite all of this, The Green Knight is worth seeing in theaters- and possibly only in theaters. The film is magnificent. The score is pervasive and reverbarative. There’s a weight to the audio, and combined with the incredible aesthetics, you’ll be depriving yourself of a true experience if you miss this film in theaters. Again, it’s a ridiculous movie that will embarrass you with its insanity, and leave you scratching your head in frustration on your way out of the playhouse. 8/10. Dev Patel creams himself.

I highly recommend you see it in theaters if you plan on seeing it at all.
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3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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10
amirmrAug 23, 2021
Absolutely magical! what a Story and what a performance. It reminds me of the great Kwaidan movie. If you enjoying thinking about movies after watching them The green knight is the one.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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7
DubeauAug 21, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Green Knight is a slow burner. The story is slow and mystical. And it shows the difference between being a knight or a king. The filming is extremely well though. Nice camera works and amazing shots. In 3/4 of the movie, the Giants part didn't amount to anything (pretty useless). The Fx were good. The acting is very solid. I actually think the women parts were more solid. The soundtrack was fun and different. I give it 72%. I think it was a great story but it lacks a more paced rhythm, and maybe some level of clarity. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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8
SoulWarfareAug 20, 2021
I love the Arthurian legend but most stories concerning it in TV and film is mostly about the titular King Arthur. However, The Green Knight is focused on one of the knights instead, Sir Gawain. The premise is "King Arthur's headstrong nephewI love the Arthurian legend but most stories concerning it in TV and film is mostly about the titular King Arthur. However, The Green Knight is focused on one of the knights instead, Sir Gawain. The premise is "King Arthur's headstrong nephew embarks on a daring quest to confront the Green Knight, a mysterious giant who appears at Camelot. Risking his head, he sets off on an epic adventure to prove himself before his family and court". So is Sir Gawain's story worth telling or should we just go back to King Arthur?

Firstly, this movie is visually stunning. The cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo is gorgeous and very magical. Almost every single shot in this film is like a painting and that alone makes it feel very fantastical. The lighting is also something to admire. At the beginning of the journey is a dreary, gloomy colour of the towns but it then goes to the green and grey forest that feels haunting yet beautiful. As the movie progress, it starts to become more colourful to signify the journey's end but also the more fantasy elements. The world itself is so interesting to watch as well. Many weird magical elements occur in this (that I won't spoil) that is just so oddly fascinating to watch. The music score by Daniel Hart is also phenomenal. It always complements the scene, the story and the world of The Green Knight. It is occasionally eerie but also sometimes has a fantastical flair to it that is just a blessing to listen to.

Dev Patel is the main lead and plays Sir Gawain. He does an amazing job as he perfectly conveys the struggle and the toll this journey takes on Gawain. Ralph Ineson is also remarkable as the Green Knight as Ralph gives a powerful voice that feels creepy but not downright villainous that exactly fits the character. The rest of the supporting cast all do a good job as well. Special mention goes to Sean Harris as the King who gives a convincing wise old man performance and Barry Keoghan who is just very ominous in his performance. Another thing I love about this film is the real mystery throughout the story. There are a fair amount of obstacles and weird scenarios that occur in Gawain's journey that are just intriguing to dissect. You end up questioning a lot about what is real or not. The film never outright explains everything, so it is up to us to try and solve or interpret the trials which are enjoyable to do. There is also the constant theme about honour and bravery that sounds simple on paper but is handle here in a more provocative manner that just works. However, the film not explaining everything results in way too many questions. The movie doesn't even explain why the Green Knight exist or why it is even there? The film does imply that it was the result of witches but if this is the case then what was the motive of the witches in doing that? Not explaining the titular character's is very problematic as now we have to go through assumptions of their motive instead of a proper confirmation. There is also a lot of just weird stuff that happens with no proper explanation and you're just going to have to accept it when watching this. Due to this, I can understand The Green Knight turning people off because it is intentionally vague on nearly everything. Additionally, this is an incredibly slow-burning movie. It goes at a very slow snail pace with a lot of scenes of Gawain walking or riding or even just genuinely nothing. The Green Knight is at 130 minutes long and honestly, it didn't need to be that long considering the number of shots of literally nothing.

Overall, The Green Knight is not a movie for everyone. It is an artistic and slow movie but it is a very unique movie that tells a profound story about honour. Well, that is how I interpret it and if you watch this then you may interpret it differently. Sir Gawain's story was an interesting one and I hope for tales like this from the Arthurian legend.
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8
theredskyAug 4, 2021
The Green Knight is a perfect example of A24’s consistent quality. This is one of the lowest 3 films on my A24 ranking list yet it’s still a great film and one of the best films of 2021. Dev Patel gives his best performance here and one ofThe Green Knight is a perfect example of A24’s consistent quality. This is one of the lowest 3 films on my A24 ranking list yet it’s still a great film and one of the best films of 2021. Dev Patel gives his best performance here and one of the best performances of the year. His character is an engaging look to see what it means like to be worthy to the eyes of others. His interactions with other characters is great due to the stellar supporting performances and writing. The sequence with Joel Edgerton is fantastic as it shows Patel’s vulnerability and shows that he is only human too. Sean Harris also gives a great supporting performance as the King. The best supporting performance by far though as Ralph Ineson as The Green Knight. His initial presence is mysterious and creepy as we see he can’t die but his appearance at the end of the film is more friendly like. They are respectful to each other and act like they have known each other for a long time which is an interesting dynamic. The film really excels in its technical category. Every aspect of the production from the cinematography, editing, makeup, and costumes is absolutely phenomenal. The camerawork is outstanding and has the best location filming and cinematography of the entire year along with some amazing make up and costumes that feel authentic to the time period. The visual effects for the most part are pretty great with some sketchy moments here and there. The reason this isn’t very high on my A24 Ranking is because the pacing can feel a little awkward sometimes and it doesn’t have a major thought provoking attitude that the best A24 films like The Lighthouse and Midsommar have. I would definitely recommend checking this film out if you want something more experimental and slow. Expand
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7
HerickDienerAug 22, 2021
Uma fotografia espetacular e uma história que prende seus olhos em cada cena, mesmo que você só vá entender mais na frente.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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9
lawjefAug 20, 2021
This is *not* a movie adaptation of a role playing game. It is more David Lynch or Lars Von Trier, than it is a Marvel movie. If you like those directors / surrealist genres, or you are just a fan of indie art-house films, then there is aThis is *not* a movie adaptation of a role playing game. It is more David Lynch or Lars Von Trier, than it is a Marvel movie. If you like those directors / surrealist genres, or you are just a fan of indie art-house films, then there is a good chance that you will really, really enjoy this film. But for everybody else, I would not even bother wasting your time. Expand
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8
MarkkusAug 21, 2021
Another quality film from A24! The Green Knight is beautiful and has a captivating history. David Lowery's direction is amazing, the actors, the cinematography. Definitely The Green Knight is one of my favorite A24 movies.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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7
OkireviewsAug 12, 2021
This is a beautiful movie. The plot isnt exactly lord of the rings type were it fully got me interested but I really enjoyed it.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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9
s3ver14nJan 30, 2022
So, straight out of the gate, this is an absolutely stunning looking movie. The fantasy locations are among the best I've ever seen. I love the Lord of The Rings Movies, but never entirely felt at home with the NZ locations - when I read theSo, straight out of the gate, this is an absolutely stunning looking movie. The fantasy locations are among the best I've ever seen. I love the Lord of The Rings Movies, but never entirely felt at home with the NZ locations - when I read the books they brimmed with feelings of the English countryside that I grew up in and, beautiful as it is, the NZ locations never felt totally right to me (but still a great substitute). By comparison the Irish locations used in this movie are simply stunning and feel much more in tune with the English Literature sources.
Music and sound is stunning, especially the sound production. I've never paid much attention to sound production before, but one critic website pointed it out and they're quite right, it is simply amazing in this movie.
The plot is a new twist on the legend, but it works very well and acting duties are delivered excellently without exception. My only gripe would be Vikander's accent as Essel - I felt she was aiming for some sort of UK accent, but haven't got a clue what it was meant to be. That's all irrelevant really because as 'the Lady' she delivers an absolutely stunning performance.
And finally, casting. All excellent without exception, but particular kudos to Dev Patel, one of the finest actors of his generation delivering an amazing lead.
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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2
M1lkmanOct 3, 2021
Beautifully shot drivel. The Mulholland Drive of historical fantasy. Avoid at all costs.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
LisaLR1Aug 22, 2021
Watched (twice) the advanced A24 screening on Wednesday of "The Green Knight," directed & screenplay by David Lowery ("Pete's Dragon," "Ain't Them Bodies Saints"). The film is a unique, fantasy re-telling of the Medieval Arthurian tale, SirWatched (twice) the advanced A24 screening on Wednesday of "The Green Knight," directed & screenplay by David Lowery ("Pete's Dragon," "Ain't Them Bodies Saints"). The film is a unique, fantasy re-telling of the Medieval Arthurian tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain, top form & attractively played by actor Dev Patel, is King Arthur's foolhardy nephew, who goes on a quest to take down the Green Knight in order to obtain both his courage and gain favor in the eyes of the King. Along the journey, Sir Gawain is faced with obstacles, including thieves, ghosts, sci-fi looking giants and sexually charged nefarious characters. Very good in their supporting roles are Alicia Vikander (dual role Essel/The Lady), Joel Edgerton (The Lord) and Sarita Choudhury (Morgan le Fay-Gawain's Mother). Filmed in Ireland, the misty, magical, hauntingly medieval look and feel of the film are achieved by cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo, featuring a score by composer Daniel Hart. Expand
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9
vebickAug 31, 2021
Great movie. Bizarre but incredibly beautiful. Full with metaphors, symbols and all kinds of hidden meaning this movie can be interpreted in different ways. I believe it's about the fear of death, embracing the inevitability of it is a way toGreat movie. Bizarre but incredibly beautiful. Full with metaphors, symbols and all kinds of hidden meaning this movie can be interpreted in different ways. I believe it's about the fear of death, embracing the inevitability of it is a way to becoming an honorable knight. I love that the movie is ironic in many ways, I find the ending fantastic. Expand
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10
arcanum2240Oct 16, 2021
An excellent film based on the actual tale. The pace was slow, but it was never intended to be an action film. It was meant to be a study in the meaning of life, and on the meaning of honor.
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9
JLuis_001Aug 25, 2021
'Is this... really all there is?''

''What else ought to be?'' I've heard of this story, although I've never read it, therefore, what I can allow myself as an explanation is that The Green Knight on film is not an extraordinary story. After
'Is this... really all there is?''

''What else ought to be?''

I've heard of this story, although I've never read it, therefore, what I can allow myself as an explanation is that The Green Knight on film is not an extraordinary story.
After all, what is seen and played out is a very basic portrayal of a young man basically finding his courage on his journey to greatness, while also becoming a man in the process.

This is a story that has been seen on several occasions, and what this film proposes in its final sequence is, in my opinion, understanding how that bravery means nothing, if you don't learn from the experience.

That sequence being a vision, shows us the future of the lead character who, by escaping from his bargain, gains power, but ends up as a reviled and abandoned king, who ends up losing his kingdom and ultimately ends up dead. Like everything.

So what makes The Green Knight different? Well, frankly different wouldn't be an adequate definition.
The Green Knight is a great movie for the way it's made.

It's a visual feast, loaded with extremely strong symbolism and hidden meanings.
Its idea and concept is to create a fantastic atmosphere through those elements and I think it does quite well in that regard.

It's a long, passive and slow movie, yet my attention never wavered.
Of course it will be called presumptuous and pretentious, and it is, but it's also a great cinematic achievement, and I think the film provides more than enough elements to justify being that way.

It's not a perfect film, but it's impeccable.
Certainly made for a small niche of viewers, and as elitist as that may sound, if it's not your thing, it ain't your thing. It's fine.
But if you give it a chance, then great.
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3
beebo42Jun 18, 2022
One of the most boring, pretentious movies I've ever sat through. I can see why critics love it. They don't get it either, but they pretend they do so they can feel better than us plebs.
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9
Stern_RitterSep 12, 2021
Awesome plot, based on post-King Arthur's pieces of literature and folklore. This film is full of figures and ideas. This cinefilm is MUCH more than just an ordinary fantasy. Strictly recommended.
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3
Va1Aug 31, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There are certainly two ways one can look at this movie. I will start from the perspective of person who have never read the poem:
-This movie is a solid piece of art, with some great thinking involved, and with good acting as well. However, this is where it stops.
As a person who read the poem and wrote a great essay on it, I am utterly disappointed. First things first, Arthur's sister is Indian? Come on. Also, Gawain is not the son of Morgana le Fay, but a son of Morgause according to the WHOLE Arthurian cycle, which Lowrey decided to disregard and just make a movie on ONE piece of work. Second of all, the scenes with bandints, giants, and a fox a made up, which would be fine if they actually brought something to the adaptation, but they did not, so I consider them useless in the sense of this movie. However, when the movie gets to the point which was actually in the poem, it fails there as well. The whole point of Gawain being in Bertilak's castle for 3 days was to show how Gawain is able to resist temptations due to him being a knight and keep his honor in not sleeping with Lord Bertilak's wife. In the poem, the author demonstrates hunting scenes, where hunters have to choose different methods to achieve success when hunting different animals, namely - fallow deer, wild boar, and a fox. Moreover, the author shows scenes in which the wife of the owner of the castle tries to woo Gawain in various ways. While these two events do not seem related to each other, there are similarities between them, and the animals that are hunted seem to symbolize the lady's behavior towards Gawain. This is the most important part of the story, but it was TOTALLY missed by Lowrey for some reason. Therefore, the ending of the story was not on point as well, as it technically does not show Gawain's fate after his encounter with The Green Knight. In the poem, though, the knight strikes three times but only hits Gawain once for not giving him the green belt. At this point it turns out that The Green Knight is actually Lord of the castle himself, which was the ENTIRE point of the castle part. 3/10 for me as to being not a very good (at all) adaptation, but still being a decent movie, hence the three points.
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8
creo1402Oct 2, 2021
Редкая в наше время метафоричная кино-притча, которая не скатывается в совсем уж непонятный артхаус, с отменной аудио-визуальной реализацией и отличной актерской игрой. При всей простоте центральной истории, фильм наполнен большим количествомРедкая в наше время метафоричная кино-притча, которая не скатывается в совсем уж непонятный артхаус, с отменной аудио-визуальной реализацией и отличной актерской игрой. При всей простоте центральной истории, фильм наполнен большим количеством деталей, небольших историй, монологов. Отдельно хочется похвалить операторскую работу. По итогу, очень атмосферное и даже вязкое погружение в английский фольклор Expand
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7
scumbag86Sep 20, 2021
its ok, not david lowerys best work. i really loved the visuals but apart from that, the story unfolds in a quite cryptic way.
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9
MuddyTubaSep 3, 2021
One of the best fantasy movies I've seen in a long time. Might be easy to follow if you are familiar with the original Arthurian poem.
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9
jacekczaplaSep 4, 2021
83

Haunting, surrealistic, dark fantasy journey into human values, morality and settlement with your own sins. Audiovisual perfection. Sometimes maybe too slow and Dev Patel is not perfect, but still..... There never had been fantasy like
83

Haunting, surrealistic, dark fantasy journey into human values, morality and settlement with your own sins.
Audiovisual perfection.
Sometimes maybe too slow and Dev Patel is not perfect, but still.....
There never had been fantasy like this in cinema.
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9
NickTheCritickApr 18, 2022
The plot is the simplest: On Christmas morning, Gawain dreams of being knighted by the elderly King Arthur. Encouraged by his mother Morgana to attend the reception at the court of Camelot, the dissolute young man witnesses the arrival of theThe plot is the simplest: On Christmas morning, Gawain dreams of being knighted by the elderly King Arthur. Encouraged by his mother Morgana to attend the reception at the court of Camelot, the dissolute young man witnesses the arrival of the mysterious and imposing Green Knight, who tests the court. Gawain offers to take up his challenge and therefore can hit him first, but a year later he will have to go to a remote church to receive the blow back. Gawain beheads the creature, but it takes its head back and repeats its prophecy, which now sounds like a death sentence. The boy is knighted and passes a year of wicked pleasures, but the new Christmas is approaching.
This film is the best chivalrous epic film I have ever seen and undoubtedly one of the best films of recent years. The best one by Lowery.
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8
sergiopalma02Nov 16, 2021
If you know what you're getting yourself into, you will enjoy it. It's a slow burn retelling of an ancient english fairytale.
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3
BigDingusAug 1, 2021
I'm usually fairly generous and forgiving, able to find good and see the best in a lot of films, but this one was incredibly difficult. I wouldn't say it's "bad," but it's definitely not entertaining. If you go to see movies for reasons otherI'm usually fairly generous and forgiving, able to find good and see the best in a lot of films, but this one was incredibly difficult. I wouldn't say it's "bad," but it's definitely not entertaining. If you go to see movies for reasons other than entertainment, there's a chance you may appreciate it. If you're a fan of movies that offer little to no answers to anything, lack any real conflict, and just want to watch a guy walk from point A to point B, this movie will be tolerable. There's barely any dialogue, it moves slowly, the characters are mostly expressionless, and the plot is based entirely on whether or not a guy will commit to following through on one choice.

Is he brave enough, or will he chicken out? You at least find that out, but then that's it. Nothing more to it. But hey, if you like to find deeper meaning in the allegory or the themes sprinkled around, have at it. It was a disappointment to me, but to each their own.
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2
TVJerryAug 3, 2021
Dev Patel stars as Sir Gawain, who’s sent on a quest by his uncle King Arthur to confront the ominous titular character. His mystical journey includes encounters with creatures, otherworldly and otherwise. While the film is full of lusciousDev Patel stars as Sir Gawain, who’s sent on a quest by his uncle King Arthur to confront the ominous titular character. His mystical journey includes encounters with creatures, otherworldly and otherwise. While the film is full of luscious visual beauty, the pacing is painfully slow. It could have easily lost 30 minutes and been more effective. On top of the disastrous tempo (or lack thereof) the story is cluttered by ominious statements that make no sense. If I’d studied the 14th century poem on which it’s based, I might understand it better, but that’s not excuse for obtuse storytelling. Writer/director David Lowery must get all the blame for this tedious, pretentious slog. Expand
6 of 13 users found this helpful67
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10
fra92Jul 30, 2021
David Lowery is always a surprise. His movies are full of emotional moments, but also deep explorations of what it means to be human. I loved this movie, and I can't wait to see his next one
5 of 11 users found this helpful56
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0
LunaticInkSep 2, 2021
Overlong, boring, and poorly shot. No this film isn’t “beautiful”. It’s riddled with pacing issues and dragged down by a nonsensical plot. It’s about as deep as a mud puddle. The protagonist is an unlikable coward. I can see why theOverlong, boring, and poorly shot. No this film isn’t “beautiful”. It’s riddled with pacing issues and dragged down by a nonsensical plot. It’s about as deep as a mud puddle. The protagonist is an unlikable coward. I can see why the average millennial would identify with him.

It fits right alongside every other A24 film I’ve ever seen. Utter arthouse trash.
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4 of 9 users found this helpful45
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10
avictoraoAug 1, 2021
I freakin' loved it. I'm pretty sure this is one of those that make it into the list of films that I watch once a year.
4 of 9 users found this helpful45
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9
BunkdAug 3, 2021
Thought provoking and beautiful. The low scores are from Marvel fans who were expecting action, not a historical-fantasy look at being human and dealing with mortality
4 of 9 users found this helpful45
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3
TerminatorFanJul 30, 2021
While this film was gorgeously shot and wonderfully acted, it ultimately felt ridiculous, pretentious, and like a complete waste of my time.
12 of 28 users found this helpful1216
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6
Matthew360Jul 31, 2021
It's truly odd to say that a movie has absolutely gorgeous cinematography, superb acting and a beautiful score, yet still was a mediocre piece. The scenes draw you in like a vivid dream that enchants you, only to leave you wondering why theIt's truly odd to say that a movie has absolutely gorgeous cinematography, superb acting and a beautiful score, yet still was a mediocre piece. The scenes draw you in like a vivid dream that enchants you, only to leave you wondering why the scene is created in the first place. The movie is full of beautiful slow motion stare offs, real-time walking journeys and a dialog that runs about twelve minutes long in totality. The Green Knight is by no means a bad movie, just one that should've been marketed as a very slow burning, Arthurian psychedelic trip. Expand
3 of 7 users found this helpful34
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0
patika27Aug 2, 2021
Horrible movie! Save your soul and your money and don't go see this! Lacked everything it was a flat line all the way through. Did nothing for me instead it took my time, my money and left me feeling empty and messed up in the end. QuietHorrible movie! Save your soul and your money and don't go see this! Lacked everything it was a flat line all the way through. Did nothing for me instead it took my time, my money and left me feeling empty and messed up in the end. Quiet possibly the worst movie I have ever seen or one of them. Expand
8 of 19 users found this helpful811
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3
ascreamingJul 30, 2021
High hopes, massive disappointment. This film takes a lot of effort to watch, but it's pretentious and dense and feels like it doesn't want to be understood. Almost like there is actually very little of interest going on beneath its overblownHigh hopes, massive disappointment. This film takes a lot of effort to watch, but it's pretentious and dense and feels like it doesn't want to be understood. Almost like there is actually very little of interest going on beneath its overblown exterior...

Production design for some parts is very nice (love those crowns!), but frustrating in others (in trying to create a 'gritty' medieval world must we take the 'dark ages' so literally? Why does nobody own any interior lighting?). There is some very inventive cinematography, as any trailer will quickly demonstrate. Sean Harris and Joel Edgerton give enjoyable performances, but the screenplay does Dev Patel no favors and offers a thoroughly drippy, dumb, and unlikeable Gawain. Alicia Vikander produces a strange medieval English accent which wobbles between Geordie and Scouse—it's bizarre, and perhaps accidental, but actually quite compelling.

The mood is pretty grim, and it's the same all the way through, with all the joy and fun and humour of the source material sucked out and nothing compelling or interesting added in its place. This is not a fun film, but it's also not an action film or a thoughtful film. It has one note and you are bludgeoned with it throughout. Fundamental changes to the plot and identity of the characters subtract far more than they contribute and produce a confusing overall picture where motivation and meaning feel pretty distant. It's just a bunch of boring stuff happening quite slowly in the dark. The screenplay and direction don't seem to have any patience—nothing is allowed to build slowly or gradually. Every scene attempts to be a knockout of great depth and of solemn, weighty significance. The only way in which the film attempts to earn or justify that kind of impact is with screeching music and visual tricks, rather than with plot or character. There is nothing to hold on to, and no reason to care about our characters. Style is cool, but here it totally suffocates substance.

The score is melodramatic and bland, but worse than that is the fact that it's inescapeable. High-pitched acappella hooting is the recourse for every scene where the events and character of the film have failed to create any sort of interest or engagement.

A deeply frustrating watch. Since learning about the film I was excited and eager to like it, and I was ready to fight for it if it turned out to be a middling or misguided adaptation. But it really is a turkey. The CGI fox is one of the most agonizing failures I have seen on screen for a long time.
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10 of 24 users found this helpful1014
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