The Green Knight

David Lowery’s The Green Knight may not be the most popular fantasy adventure, but it’s definitely the one that’s left audiences asking the most questions. It’s the kind of epic that leaves you piecing together details long after the credits roll, what each decision made by our reckless hero ultimately leads to in his fate. It may not be for everyone, but fans of arthurian tales should appreciate the unique way in which this story was adapted to the screen. It modifies this revered tale to give us a more flawed Gawain, but the story succeeds all the more for it.

After accepting a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight, Gawain must travel to meet him a year later to complete it. On this journey he is tested on the moral virtues of chivalry: Friendship, Generosity, Piety, Chastity, and Courtesy - and he doesn’t always meet up to them. More often than not, it seems our hero is waiting for the world to make him the honorable knight he longs to be - rather than making the choices to be that honorable knight. Often he strays and must suffer the consequences for doing so, but ultimately becomes the man of honor he believed himself to be.

It’s a lonely story. Grim, bleek and hauntingly beautiful as it swirls through the landscapes of his journey. Bold color changes often fully submerge the scene - like the hazy yellow that sets in as he approaches the Green Knights chapel. Dev Patel exudes everything this character needs - the cocky confidence we see early that quickly makes way to the feelings of unworthiness as he’s asked to approach the King. How quickly he sees his time to make a mark when the Green Knight presents his challenge, so eager to impress that he fails to realize what he’s condemned himself to. The cowardice that sets in when it’s time to face his fate. And ultimately, achieving the honor he so desperately desired.

The Green Knight won’t be for everyone, but for those who really love digging into the themes of what they’re watching, this is a treasure chest of a movie.

LIGHT SPOILERS
I love how many aspects connect - how he comes across the ghost of a woman who lost her head to protect her chastity, while he’ll go on to give up his in order to protect his head. The way it swirls into his life of misery as a result of running away from the knight before he ultimately forgoes his protective sash to accept what he agreed to. It’s a movie that I enjoyed more the second time I watched it and I’m sure it’ll continue to infect my mind.