Outlaw King Review: 7 Ups & 2 Downs

4. It's Surprisingly Funny In Places

Despite the obviously grim subject matter, Mackenzie smartly includes some sporadic spicings of humour throughout, just as he did in both Starred Up and Hell or High Water.

Taylor-Johnson's James Douglas gets a number of perverse laughs simply from the heightened, almost surreal nature of his demented behaviour, while a number of broad gags are thrown in occasionally to break up the brutality.

One especially amusing sequence involves Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh (Florence Pugh) consummating their marriage, and while a lesser director would've played the scene too goofy or allowed it to upend the film's generally serious tone, it ends up working incredibly well.

It's a tough tight-rope to walk, but it's a smart way to broaden the movie out a little while not derailing its overall mood.