Before 'Relay,' Its Acclaimed Director Helmed This Epic Netflix Historical War Movie Starring Florence Pugh

While David Mackenzie has received acclaim for his work on his brutal prison drama Starred Up, it wasn’t until Hell or High Water that he was recognized as one of the most gifted genre storytellers of his generation. Hell or High Water may have been easy to describe as a heist and getaway thriller, but it turned into an operatic neo-Western about family legacy and the oppressive nature of powerful banks in Texas. Given that Hell or High Water was a critical success and a Best Picture nominee, it only made sense that Mackenzie would team up with Chris Pine for another epic thriller. Instead of returning to the wild west, they chose to make Outlaw King, a biopic about the famous Scottish freedom fighter Robert the Bruce.

Although it is not technically a sequel, Outlaw King does feel like a continuation of Braveheart, as the film does begin after William Wallace has already been executed by the British crown. Outlaw King initially debuted to mixed reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in the fall of 2018, but Mackenzie chose to re-edit the film before it was released on Netflix, and removed around twenty minutes to tighten up the pacing. As a result of these alterations, Outlaw King is an intense, captivating war thriller that examines both Bruce’s brilliance as a military leader and the undying bravery of the Scottish people as they face off with one of the world’s most powerful empires.

What Is ‘Outlaw King’ About?

Outlaw King takes place amidst a cold war between Great Britain and the Scottish revolutionaries, who had King Edward I (Stephen Dillane) after their defeat at the Battle of Stirling Castle. Bruce and the other Scottish lords are forced to pay homage to the King, but rising taxes on the common people begin to stoke a revived interest in rebellion. After Bruce’s people learn of Wallace’s death, the leadership begins to form a new rebel alliance that could take back their lands from occupation. Although Bruce is now married to the King’s goddaughter, Elizabeth de Burgh (Florence Pugh), she offers to provide him with political capital as he sways other dynasties to join his cause. Among the many different lords who swear themselves to Bruce’s movement is James Douglas (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who had previously been dismissed from his duties after allegations emerged that his father was a traitor. Nonetheless, Douglas becomes Bruce’s most loyal supporter, and heightens enthusiasm among the Scottish people about declaring themselves to be completely independent of England.

While it takes place over an extended period of time, Outlaw King makes the smart decision to examine the overarching plan that Bruce employed in order to disrupt the much more qualified and well-resourced army from Britain. The film plays out like a heist thriller of sorts, as Bruce recognizes that winning back each castle will allow their forces to take the English by surprise, and gather new resources and supporters who have been granted freedom. While Wallace’s attempt to meet the English in open combat did not work, Bruce knows that the enthusiasm that his supporters have for their land makes them a more motivated and dangerous fighting force. While the action sequences are just as riveting as one may have expected based on Mackenzie’s impressive track record, Outlaw King distinguishes itself from other historical epics due to its emphasis on military politics.

‘Outlaw King’ Is a Strategic War Thriller

Outlaw King examines the generational struggle between the Scottish people and the occupying English forces, and shows why this was the moment in which the tension reached its apex. Pine does a great job at showing the humility and honor of Bruce, as he was tasked with balancing the motivations of the various lords that swore loyalty to him, despite not personally desiring power for the sake of it. Pine gives one of his most physically impressive performances ever, as he has to show expertise with various forms of weaponry and engage in some particularly brutal combat scenes. His chemistry with Pugh is also quite compelling, as Elizabeth and Robert begin to genuinely fall in love with one another as the conflict wages on, even though they were initially married for the sake of a political alliance. However, it is Taylor-Johnson who becomes the film’s scene stealer, as Douglas is a lethal force of rage that lashes out at anyone who attempts to discredit Bruce. Beyond the fact that he wants to prove that his family name contributed something to the war effort, Douglas seems to have a genuinely sadistic desire for revenge, which allows Taylor-Johnson to draw out a dark sense of humor.

Mackenzie is once again very perceptive when it comes to representing the culture of a people who have been taught that their livelihoods belong to a foreign King who has no compassion for them. Outlaw King explores how war has become a culture, and not just a political action, as Bruce faces anxieties about what Scotland will become if the fighting is ever to end. Even if it covers historical figures that felt larger-than-life, Outlaw King is often quite intimate thanks to the nuanced performances from Pine, Pugh, and Taylor-Johnson. Although few audiences got to see the film in the theatrical venue that was intended, it’s a worthwhile viewing experience for anyone who loves historical epics.

Outlaw King is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.