Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal historical epic has graphic violence and nudity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Outlaw King
What's the Story?
In the first years of the 14th century, a time of turmoil and savage territorial hostilities, a young Scottish aristocrat, Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), emerged as a valiant and courageous leader in OUTLAW KING. William Wallace, the hero in Braveheart, who had boldly fought King Edward of England (Stephen Dillane), had been vanquished, leading to an uneasy truce with the British. But soon, the Scots found themselves once again oppressed and vilified. Rivalries within the ranks of Scottish leaders kept them at odds and ineffective until Robert, with only a few stalwart followers, asserted his leadership in a new fight for independence. Early efforts to gain support from their compatriots, though often violent and harsh, ultimately led to a ragtag army of Scottish allies. Still, they were outnumbered and ill-equipped to take on the powerful enemy led by the Prince of Wales (Billy Howle) and Aymer de Valence (Sam Spruell). A number of harrowing defeats only served to inspire the Scots. Cunning and passion became the force's most significant assets as they met the enemy at the thunderous Battle of Loudon Hill in 1307, a turning point in a war that seemed destined to fail.
Is It Any Good?
Director David Mackenzie's wonderfully staged battle scenes and stirring story of unexpected victory will appeal to those who don't mind gruesome violence along with their authentic historical drama. Cinematography, editing, and most of the performances are first-rate, as well. Chris Pine does a fine job of suppressing his movie star good looks with an often blood-soaked patina of courage and smarts, and even a bit of ruthlessness. The romance that evolves in an arranged political marriage is as sweet as it is sometimes fraught with peril.
Outlaw King is long, with lots of characters to remember, sometimes repetitive battles, and a few one-dimensional players whose depravity or lunacy seem arch or formulaic. As a "sequel" of sorts to Braveheart, the movie's creators must have known that the violence quotient had to be high, and they've accomplished that. Still, after an individual is hanged and quartered, do we have to stay fixed on the shot long enough to watch his innards descend? Not for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Outlaw King. What emotions do you think the filmmakers were trying to elicit when they made the battle scenes so graphic and gory? Did your view of Robert the Bruce change after he killed John Comyn? Why or why not? Why is it important to be aware of the impact of violence on kids?
How did the filmmakers choose to portray Elizabeth (Florence Pugh), Robert's wife? In what ways did her behavior reflect a more modern female? How did Robert's treatment of her make him even more sympathetic?
Scotland's fight for independence took place over centuries. As recently as 2014, the Scots had a ballot referendum on becoming an independent country, which was defeated. Where would you go to learn more about the animosity between Scotland and the United Kingdom?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 9, 2018
- Cast : Chris Pine , Stephen Dillane , Florence Pugh
- Director : David Mackenzie
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : brutal war violence, some sexuality, language, and brief nudity
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate