The King on Netflix: Timothée Chalamet takes on Henry V

Timothée Chalamet stars as the titular King Henry V in the new Netflix Original movie, The King, directed by David Michôd and co-written by Joel Edgerton.

Based loosely on William Shakespeare’s most popular tetralogy, Netflix’s The King drops viewers into the events of the final play, Henry V.  Prince Hal (Chalamet), the self-described “wayward son” of King Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn), is plucked out of his merry days of drinking and debauchery by news of his father’s impending death. Because of said debauchery, Hal gets passed over by Henry as his successor. While this isn’t exactly a surprise, Hal seems pretty against letting his younger brother Thomas, heir to the throne, deal with the civil unrest caused by their father on his own.

Unfortunately for Hal, Thomas is looking for glory. When Hal defeats Harry Percy (better known as Hotspur, played by Dunkirk‘s Tom Glynn-Carney), Thomas attempts to lead his army to battle and dies before he’s able to ascend the throne. With King Henry IV on his deathbed, Hal is his only option. Begrudgingly, Hal—soon to be crowned Henry V—takes on the role of King of England. No more untoward behavior, no more cavorting with Sir John Falstaff (Edgerton), as King Henry must grow up and face the responsibilities of his new title.

This film seemingly wants to be a gritty rework of Shakespeare without being too Shakespeare-like. There’s a sense that it’s more for people who would be interested in Henry V as a historical figure as opposed to his more popular dramatized-self. This would be a fine concept if not for the inclusion of Falstaff, which roots the movie firmly into the Bard’s territory.

There’s also an almost complete lack of female characters in the film, which feels very much like the Shakespeare versions, as there are only three women with any major speaking parts. While it certainly doesn’t need to be as detailed as, say, The Hollow Crown series this lack of commitment to form that causes the movie to suffer.

Chalamet is very capable of leading a film. Though not without its controversies, Call Me by Your Name gave viewers a firsthand look at exactly how he can carry a film, and Chalamet ended up with an Oscar nomination for his efforts.

While his abilities aren’t being called into question, the investment the audience has in the character is a different story. Shakespeare’s second Henriad consists of four plays: Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2 and Henry V. Much of Hal’s development comes from the Henry IV plays. Though his character is irresponsible and undisciplined, the audience can get to know him in a way that The King never really lets us see.

Sure, the audience is shown he has no desire for the throne and has been wasting his time away in taverns, but there’s not much of the fun Hal and Falstaff are together in typical productions of the play, though Edgerton does add some comic relief in his role. Without a proper lead up to Hal taking on the title of Henry V, The King makes you forget why you even are supposed to root for him in the first place.

Considering the major talent this movie drew in, it’s a bit disappointing that it falls so flat. As a Shakespeare fan as well as a Timothée fan, too, The King definitely could have done more with the source material and still kept the grim tone overall while making better use of its cast.

One highlight of the movie, however, is Robert Pattinson’s role as the Dauphin of France, best described by Vulture as “hilariously unhinged.” When casting was first announced for the movie that Chalamet and Pattinson would share screentime in a Shakespeare adaption, it seemed as though nothing about the movie could possibly be bad. While Pattinson’s role isn’t “bad” it is certainly an interesting take (especially given that Chalamet speaks perfect French, but doesn’t quite nail the British accent and Pattinson’s natural British accent doesn’t particularly lend well to a French one).

Overall, the Michôd-Edgerton script is wanting of great moments that the Shakespeare play has but it can’t quite stick the landing. Instead of witty dialogue and powerful soliloquies, viewers get a half-hearted treason plot that’s a bit hard to care about and some intense battle scenes that are a stretch too long. And at two-hours-and-20-minutes long, you’re better off watching the stage play instead.

Have you had a chance to watch The King? Let us know your thoughts down below.