The Green Knight and all the images you see in this review are owned by A24
Directed by David Lowery
The first trailer for this movie dropped in February of 2020 which was mere weeks before the world pretty much came to an end and movies were either shelved or released on streaming services for exorbitant prices. I was definitely interested in seeing it as I had a vague understanding of what The Green Knight story was and seeing it realized on the big screen with such interesting visuals and an AWESOME looking design for the titular knight seemed like a slam dunk to me! I was ready to open a spot for it on my top ten list of 2020 based on the trailer alone, but we all know what happened next, and much like Sir Gawain himself we all had to wait one year to see how it all worked out. Was it worth holding out until we could return to theaters to release it, or was it would it have been a better idea to just toss it onto HBO Max and hope that everyone forgets it before the studio puts out their next movie? Let’s find out!!
In the time of legends and poor hygiene, a young knight name Gawain (Dev Patel) was going about his life without much knighting to speak of. Sure he had the title, but he spent most of his days waiting for glory and honor to come to him rather than seek it out himself. Fortunately for him, opportunity presents itself at the King’s Christmas party where a mysterious green Knight offers anyone there a simple challenge! Strike him once however they wish, on the condition that in one year’s time they will take the same blow from the Green Knight. Feeling plucky and looking to prove himself, Gawain takes up the challenge and with one swift strike, chops the Green Knight’s head off! Well so much for taking a blow next year, am I right? Well… it looks like this will still come to pass as the Green Knight casually picks up his head and rides off into the night! I mean it’s KINDA on Gawain to not assume some magical shenanigans were at play, but still; he has one year to make up his mind as to whether he will got to face the Green Knight at his chapel and go through with this game despite him being PRETTY sure that his own head is not so easily reattached. Gawain seems to be willing to face his fate as he mounts a horse and starts his journey, but things are not as straightforward as they seem; not with the path ahead of him or the convictions in his own mind. Will Gawain preserve his honor and face the Green Knight’s blade despite how unfair this all seems? What challenges will he face along the way, and are they enough to make him waiver in his convictions? Seriously, WHY DOES THIS GUY LOOK SO COOL!? Maybe that’s how he gets people to fall for this; he just charms them with his rugged good looks!
The Reviewers Unite 