I wouldn't have even known about The Green Knight (R; 129 minutes) if it wasn't for a YouTube recommendation for the trailer. A24 distributed it to USA theaters on July 30th, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UK theatrical debut moved from August 6th to September 24th. Lionsgate Home Entertainment released the film on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on October 12th.

Filmmaker David Lowery (Pete's Dragon) based his script loosely on the Sir Gawain and the Green Knight story. In this version, on Christmas morning, Morgan le Fay summons the gigantic Green Knight to barge his way into Camelot and challenge anyone to a fight. It's not your typical duel, as there's a catch. The opponent can take one strike. Near next Christmas, the opponent must travel to Green Knight's home so the Green Knight can return the strike.

King Author's cowardly drunk nephew Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) challenges the Green Knight and beheads him. Just as the Camelot onlookers begin to cheer, The Green Knight's body rises, picks up its head, and gives a reminder about next Christmas before leaving.

The seasons pass by, and Christmastime is fast approaching. King Author reminds Sir Gawain of his bargain. Sir Gawain departs Camelot on horseback in search of the Green Chapel. However, getting there is going to be a challenge on its own. He must deal with schemers, thieves, ghosts, and giants.

Special Features include:

Boldest of Blood & Wildest of Heart: Making The Green Knight
Practitioners of Magic: Visual Effects
Illuminating Technique: Title Design
Theatrical Trailer

Final Thoughts

The Green Knight (R; 129 minutes) is the weirdest and most overrated & overhyped movie I have ever seen. Instead of being an epic knight tale, it's a bizarre artsy fantasy.

I've noticed a trend that when critics rave about a film, there's a good chance moviegoers will have the opposite reaction, which is what happened with this movie. My feelings for it falls more in the middle. I thought the story was interesting, but the pacing was off. The acting is top-notch. The visual effects are excellent. Daniel Hart's musical score was my favorite aspect of the film.

Overall, The Green Knight is an entertaining but overly long fantasy take on the Arthurian legend. If you have an open mind, you might like this film. Everyone else will be bored by the second act.