Set in 1247 England, an aged and weary Robin Hood lives in isolation, haunted by the countless murders of his violent past. A young woman named Wainwright tracks him down to avenge her relatives, but Robin kills her and buries her with his other victims. Soon after, his former bandit companion Little John arrives.
Living under the stolen identity of a farmer named Edward, John enlists Robin to help him reclaim his land and his wife, Margaret, from a rival family. Their violent raid results in widespread bloodshed, including the death of John's wife and a young boy named Hendrie. During the ensuing conflict, Robin suffers severe wounds while fighting off the vengeful clan and killing their elderfather with John's help. Left gravely injured and delirious, Robin is taken to a remote island priory, where a mysterious woman offers him a chance at redemption while dealing with the arrival of a traumatized Margaret.
What happens at the end of The Death of Robin Hood?
Key takeaways
Robin Hood dies by bleeding out with the assistance of Sister Brigid, choosing to end his own life rather than carry the crushing guilt of his past murders.
Margaret receives a handmade bow and training from Robin, carrying on his legacy as she lets fly an arrow in the final moments.
One reading of the finale suggests that facing his past victims and their surviving families finally strips away the romantic legends surrounding the aging outlaw.
Sister Brigid ultimately decides against killing Robin in revenge, recognizing how her tragic past shaped her current path of healing.
The final act unfolds at the Priory of St. Clement, where Sister Brigid nurses the gravely wounded Robin back to health under the assumed name Randolph. During his recovery, the priory's caretaker, revealed on his deathbed to be the legendary enemy Guy of Gisbourne, urges Robin to embrace a new life and warns him to keep his identity hidden from Brigid, whose husband was killed by the outlaw.
Meanwhile, a traumatized Margaret briefly flees to the island, but Robin finds her, spares her life, and takes her under his wing to teach her how to hunt. An injured young man named Arthur arrives at the priory, and Robin suspects he is Godwyn, the last surviving male of Hendrie's vengeful clan, who has come to kill Margaret. Determined to protect the girl, Robin rows Arthur back to the mainland, forces him to confess his true identity as Godwyn, and convinces him to abandon his blood feud and return home to his remaining family.
Upon returning to the priory, Robin confesses his true identity to Sister Brigid, plunging her into horror as she recognizes him as the monster who burned her husband and children alive. That night, as she performs bloodletting to treat him, Brigid briefly contemplates murdering him in revenge. Haunted by a dream of Little John and overwhelmed by the guilt of his monstrous crimes, Robin convinces Brigid to help him die by letting his blood flow unchecked.
Although Brigid notes that his horrible actions ultimately led her to a path of healing others, Robin refuses her intervention to stop the bleeding. Before passing away, Robin shares a fabricated, heroic tale of his past with Margaret, swears her to secrecy, and presents her with a handmade bow. Guiding her hands, he watches as she releases an arrow into the distance, passing away just as the projectile flies into the air as the final image of the story.
What does the ending of The Death of Robin Hood mean?
The ending of the film explores heavy themes of guilt, historical deconstruction, and the heavy toll of cyclical violence. One interpretation is that the story strips away the romanticized folklore surrounding the protagonist, replacing the mythical folk hero with a broken, regretful murderer who must confront the real human devastation he caused. Throughout the narrative, the script examines whether redemption is possible for someone whose life was built on brutality.
Robin's final choice to end his life rather than escape his past suggests that genuine absolution cannot be found through mere survival, but only through complete accountability. Furthermore, the interplay between Robin, Sister Brigid, and Margaret highlights the generational transmission of trauma and mercy. While families are torn apart by bitter vendettas, the closing moments suggest a fragile hope for the future through the next generation, as Margaret is equipped with survival skills and a bow, though forever touched by the dark legacy of the men who raised her.
How The Death of Robin Hood rates against similar titles
Average audience ratings from the source database. Click a title to read its ending explained.
Where to watch The Death of Robin Hood
How
Available on
Stream
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Rent
Amazon Video
Listed for region IN. Availability varies by country.
The Death of Robin Hood ending FAQ
Who does Robin Hood kill at the beginning of the movie?
Robin kills a young woman named Wainwright who manages to track him down in the wilderness. She attempts to assassinate him to avenge her family members who were killed by Robin during his violent past as an outlaw.
What is the true identity of the priory caretaker?
The priory caretaker, who is suffering from leprosy, is revealed to be Guy of Gisbourne. Robin had previously convinced himself that Guy was merely a fictitious character made up for the legends surrounding the outlaw.
Why does Robin go to the mainland with Arthur?
Robin suspects that the injured young man named Arthur is actually Godwyn, the last surviving male from Hendrie's vengeful family, who might want to harm Margaret. Robin confronts him and successfully persuades him to give up his quest for revenge.
How is Sister Brigid connected to Robin's past?
Sister Brigid discovers that Robin is the infamous outlaw who brutally murdered her family years ago. She reveals that Robin burned her husband and children alive, which initially prompts her to consider killing him in revenge.
Does Robin Hood die at the end of the story?
Yes, Robin dies at the end of the story. Overwhelmed by guilt and haunted by a dream of Little John, he convinces Sister Brigid to help him die through uncontrolled bloodletting while Margaret practices shooting her new bow.
Where can I watch The Death of Robin Hood?
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Rent: Amazon Video. Availability listed for region IN and varies by country.
The Death of Robin Hood cast
Actor
Character
Hugh Jackman
Robin Hood
Jodie Comer
Sister Brigid
Bill Skarsgård
Little John
Murray Bartlett
The Leper
Noah Jupe
Arthur / Godwyn
Jade Croot
Wainwright
Faith Delaney
Little Margaret
Tabitha Smyth
Sarah
Movie
★ 6.4
Turbulence ending explained
Young married couple Zach and Emmy decide to take a hot air balloon trip across the Italian Dolomites to rekindle their relationship. When they and pilot Harry are joined by a thir
