King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is available in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on YouTube TV right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 6,100 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Charlie Hunnam's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is worth clearing space for. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword uses its genre premise as cover for asking bigger questions. When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern, Arthur’s uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword Excalibur from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy... Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. It hit screens in 2017. What separates King Arthur: Legend of the Sword from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword fits the bill. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Watch for Charlie Hunnam in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.