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Dev Patel's The Green Knight gets rave first reviews

Photo credit: A24 Films
Photo credit: A24 Films

Dev Patel's new movie The Green Knight has received rave first reviews.

Set in Arthurian times and based on the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the film stars Patel as the titular Gawain who beheads the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) in a quest for glory, knowing that in a year's time he must travel to his Green Chapel and claim the same grisly fate.

Written and directed by David Lowery, the movie also stars Tomb Raider's Alicia Vikander, Bright actor Joel Edgerton and Eternals star Barry Keoghan — but, what did critics think?

Photo credit: A24 Films
Photo credit: A24 Films

Related: Dev Patel reveals he auditioned for Star Wars with an iPhone video

Well, while warning of an "ambiguous finale", it seems the majority were left utterly spellbound.

Praising Patel's "magnetic" performance, as well as the performances from the star-studded ensemble, critics dubbed the movie a "fantastical adventure" and "an enchanting nightmare".

With plenty of praise for the film's aesthetics, one reviewer even claimed The Green Knight is "one of the best films ever adapted from Arthurian lore".

Below is our review round up:

Photo credit: A24 Films
Photo credit: A24 Films

The Hollywood Reporter

"The Green Knight is a dreamy mood piece that retells the classic hero’s journey as a hypnotic tale steeped in dark magic and supernatural horror. Led by Dev Patel at his most magnetic, this is a fantastical adventure in a genre all of its own."

The Guardian

"At a time when Hollywood has become obsessed with one-dimensional portrayals of superheroism, it's a balm to see a director working in a similarly epic register to expose the fault lines of our adopted mythologies."

Den of Geek

"One of the best films ever adapted from Arthurian lore...Gawain is a flawed, potentially doomed protagonist, but Patel keeps the pathos of the would-be knight always at the surface, even during the character's most scandalous and selfish moments."

IGN

"Lowery is not looking to deliver an exhilarating action-adventure, studded with surprising stunts, chaste kisses, and clear-cut heroes and villains. What he offers feels less like stepping into a noble fantasy and more like sliding into an enchanting nightmare.

"The Green Knight is a heart-rattling, loins-riling, and head-spinning trip that packs a profound punch."

Variety

"A somberly majestic medieval death trip with moments of true enchantment."

Photo credit: A24 Films
Photo credit: A24 Films

Related: Dev Patel reveals the lesson he learned from Skins

Unfortunately, the film's release in UK cinemas has been pushed back due to coronavirus concerns, with a new release date yet be confirmed.

Watch this space!

The Green Knight will be released in US cinemas on July 30. A UK release date is yet to be finalized.


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