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The King (2019 film)

The King is a 2019 historical drama film directed by David Michôd and based on several plays from William Shakespeare’s Henriad.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The King is a 2019 historical drama film directed by David Michôd and based on several plays from William Shakespeare’s Henriad. It stars Timothée Chalamet as Prince Hal, later King Henry V of England, and follows his reluctant rise to power amid court politics and war.

Premise

The film follows Prince Hal as he becomes King Henry V and is drawn into court intrigue and war. It presents a coming-of-age interpretation of Shakespearean history rather than a strictly historical account.

Production

David Michôd directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Joel Edgerton. The film was produced by Michôd, Edgerton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Liz Watts.

Cast

Timothée Chalamet leads the cast as Henry V, with Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Mendelsohn in supporting roles.

Release

The King premiered at the 76th Venice International Film Festival on 2 September 2019. Netflix released it digitally on 11 October 2019.

Key facts

  • The film is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henriad cycle, including plays about Richard II and Henry IV through Henry V.
  • Timothée Chalamet plays Henry V, also known as Prince Hal, in the title role.
  • The screenplay was written by David Michôd and Joel Edgerton, who also produced the film.
  • The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival before being released on Netflix in October 2019.
  • The story centers on Hal’s reluctant rise to the English throne after his father dies and the political and military pressures that follow.

Frequently asked questions

What is The King about?
It follows Prince Hal’s transformation into King Henry V and the political and military challenges he faces after taking the throne.
Is The King based on Shakespeare?
Yes. It is based on several plays from Shakespeare’s Henriad, including Richard II and the Henry IV and Henry V plays.
Who directed The King?
David Michôd directed the film.
Who stars in The King?
The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Mendelsohn.
When was The King released?
It premiered in Venice on 2 September 2019 and was released on Netflix on 11 October 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_(2019_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, premise, premiere date, and Netflix release date.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80182016
    Supports: Official synopsis, cast, genre, and release platform.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-king-movie-review-2019
    Supports: The film as a modern take on Shakespeare's Henriad and its coming-of-age interpretation.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-King-2019-film
    Supports: Identification of the film as a 2019 work based on Shakespeare's Henriad.