Based on William Shakespeare's Henriad, David Michod's 2019 war epic The King depicts the very brief reign of King Henry V (Timothee Chalamet). Henry reluctantly accepts the crown after the death of his brother and father, and he soon becomes known for his military prowess. The film chronicles his half-hearted ascension to the throne of England and his eventual decision to wage war on France at the Battle of Agincourt after an apparent assassination attempt.
Henry V, who is also known as Hal, does not come into power brimming with monarchical ambitions, and he even attempts to quell some of the conflicts that existed during his father's reign. However, he is unable to avoid an adversarial relationship with the Dauphin of France (Robert Pattinson), and their conflict escalates onto the battlefield. Alongside his trusted friend Sir John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton), Hal rises to the occasion and proves to be a more competent leader than even he may have expected. His sure-footed — albeit not eager — reign is captured nicely in The King, and royal history fans should especially enjoy the film's depiction of his bravery and competent maneuvering in battle.
