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The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die review – gripping spin-off from Netflix show

There’s a ton of plot packed into this standalone movie derived from the TV series, but the deluge of detail gets steadily more absorbing

H ere is a standalone feature film and final capstone in Netflix’s British-made TV series The Last Kingdom , an epic in every sense of the word that’s based on novels by Bernard Cornwell and unfolds in the 10th century, just before the Norman invasion. Even if you’ve never seen a single episode from any of the show’s previous five seasons of dramatised yet highly researched British history, you’ll probably quite like to go back and start watching the whole saga from the beginning because it gets more gripping the more you surrender to it. This is largely down to the thoughtful way it tries to present a society composed of pagan Danes and Christian Saxons – and folks who are a bit of both – trying with some difficulty to all get along.

The main dude is one such mixed-heritage chap named Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), who apparently was born a Saxon but raised by Vikings and believes in the Norse gods. A fearsome warrior wielding a sword with a chunk of amber on the hilt, and a mane of tangled hair shaved at the sides so he looks like a new age traveller from the 1990s, Uhtred is the leader of a community in Northumbria, eschewing the title king. His alliance with the royal family of Wessex to the south is tested when newly crowned King Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) comes to power and is persuaded by his closest adviser Ingilmundr (Laurie Davidson) (a fanatical convert to Christianity) to use this moment to seize control of all Britain’s kingdoms, from the Shetland and Orkney islands to Wessex. There are, as the title might imply, eight kings in all, but the wife of a friend of Uhtred’s with a history of making prophecies foretells that seven of them will die.

There’s a ton of plot crammed tightly into the running time, but director Edward Bazalgette manages the storytelling efficiently, helped by the display of place names at the beginning of each scene explaining which castle we’re at now, as well as how it was known in 900-something, and the name it goes by now. If you like that kind of nerdy attention to detail, you will love this – the saga must be essential viewing for Larp enthusiasts and battle recreators. But, Bazalgette and the film never wink at us, and try to stay true to the mindset of the times, from self-hating gay men who try to purge the “sins” they fear they’ve committed by waging war for Christianity, to the way Dark Age folks treated women and conquered enemies with about an equal amount of contempt. The battle scenes are not quite on the scale of the Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones franchises, but they are pretty spicy and well staged for something that clearly has a far smaller budget.

• Period and historical films
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‘The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die’ Review: Long-Running Historical TV Saga Ably Concludes With a Feature-Length Finale

The Netflix drama based on Bernard Cornwell’s popular historical novels ends with a film that sees the machinations of invading Danish warrior king Anlaf pose a new threat to the dream of a united England.

By Catherine Bray

Catherine Bray

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The hero of the hour is Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a young Saxon and the protagonist of the TV series, who fans will know was raised by Danes after a Danish attack wiped out most of his family — before he relocated to Wessex to work for the aforementioned Alfred. None of this backstory is really necessary for newcomers to understand that Uhtred is a good guy, happy to respect religious and cultural differences in the name of peace. 

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This is probably not a film that will engage too many people outside the show’s existing fanbase, though “Lord of the Rings” acolytes may get a kick out of seeing its dramatizations of various historical inspirations for J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive world-building. Certainly in his eventual bid to unite various smaller kingdoms of men in a massive climactic fight against a common enemy, Aethelstan (whose name means “noble stone”) is a possible historical inspiration for Aragorn (who the deep nerds will recall is also referred to as “elf stone”), and there are plenty of similar parallels to to be drawn. 

Where “Seven Kings Must Die” is most interesting, however, is in its approach to religion, sexuality and culture. While it’s tempting to see our current era as unprecedented in its social blending of diverse faiths and identities, early medieval England gives contemporary Western society a run for its money in this respect. The dominant conflict is between Christianity and Pagan religions, but even within these factions there are myriad approaches presented here: We see some characters acting with genuine faith in their beliefs, and others manipulating belief to political social ends. Plus ça change, as nobody in England until at least 1066 would have said.

This interest in the parallels between the present day and events taking place over a thousand years ago is evident in a number of production flourishes, including the approach to onscreen place names: We see the location for a scene spelled out in the appropriate local language, before the letters rearrange themselves into its modern English appellation. (Wintanceaster becomes Winchester and so on.) There are also occasional onscreen excerpts from surviving Anglo-Saxon literature (the epic poem “The Battle of Brunanburh” is both dramatized and quoted), while I shall not spoil an unexpected location-based formal gambit in the final moments. 

Reviewed online, April 12, 2023. Running time: 153 MIN.

• Production: A Netflix presentation of a Carnival Films production. Producers: Nigel Marchant, Gareth Neame, Mat Chaplin. Executive producers: Alexander Dreymon, Martha Hillier.
• Crew: Director: Ed Bazalgette. Screenplay: Martha Hillier, based on the novel by Bernard Cornwell. Camera: Luke Bryant. Editor: Adam Green.
• With: Alexander Dreymon, Harry Gilby, Mark Rowley, Arnas Fedaravicius, Cavan Clerkin, James Northcote, Laurie Davidson, Elaine Cassidy, Pekka Strang.

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'The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die' Review: Netflix's Finale Brings a Fitting End to Uhtred's Journey

The future of England is at stake as a bloody war looms following the death of a king in this finale to the streaming series.

Is conflict over power inevitable? Has every arrangement across the decades just been a forestalling of bloodshed? These are questions that weigh heavy on the mind of the war-weary Uhtred of Bebbanburg ( Alexander Dreymon ) as he returns for one more story in Netflix ’s The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die . An extension of the series that charted everything from the death of his father to the creation of a new ruler and a tentative piece, it is a work that is primarily for those looking for more of this saga. At the same time, it does a sufficient job of establishing all the basic players and fault lines to draw in even those who may be utterly unfamiliar with the story. While this final film can be rather creaky in moments of exposition and blink in the face of delving into the full repercussions of a more complicated conflict, there is something that remains engaging in its exploration of the corruptive nature of power. It is far more confined in narrative focus but is still a fitting end to this long journey.

Seven Kings Must Die begins with the death of King Edward, to who Uhtred had pointedly not sworn allegiance at the end of Season 5 . His son Aethelstan ( Harry Gilby ) has now taken power and is quickly cracking down, killing any who would stand against him in what becomes a religious conquest. Horrified by this, Uhtred is soon confronted with the promise he had made that he would swear allegiance to Edward’s son and unite the lands. He begins to grow concerned that Aethelstan is being given bad counsel by those who would seek to use him for their own purposes. While all this is going on, other power players are beginning to gather in what is said to be the precursor to an inevitable war. Tired of conflict and death, Uhtred clings to the hope that this can be avoided if he can get through to Aethelstan. It is a delicate balancing act — everything is shifting rapidly, with one character saying just before a narrow escape that “loyalties are shifting and factions are forming.” As would be expected with a tighter runtime to the story, much of this is glossed over so that it can focus on ratcheting up the stakes. Yet, much like other releases on the platform that build off a series , it mostly comes together and avoids the trappings of feeling like just an extra-long episode of the show.

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Central to this is that Dreymon steps right back into the role of Uhtred as if he had never left while also showing how the character has changed. There is still spark and charm, taunting others even when faced with danger, though this is soon revealed to be armor for his own growing fears. Uhtred seems tired more than anything, the wounds visible on his face merely the tip of the iceberg of what he carries with him. He clings to the belief that he can convince Aethelstan to avert course and pull back the world from the brink of mass death. This may be naive, but Uhtred is desperate for something to protect all those around him. In a scene where he comes to confront Aethelstan, the passion in his voice is cut with pain as he sees this potential for peace slipping away. Similar in some respects to other recent grim stories about rival factions, Seven Kings Must Die is at its best when it begins to peel back the layers about how people who believe they are justified in their actions can destroy those they care about and even themselves.

There is a more haunting feeling woven throughout Seven Kings Must Die when it faces down the prospect that the villains of this world are those Uhtred once believed might be its salvation. Alas, the story does let itself off the hook with regard to grappling with these questions and instead capitulates to telling a more neat narrative. The cascading of betrayals and backstabbing, all of which carry with them increasingly heavier costs, are resolved as if they almost didn’t even happen. The more interesting narrative direction that was pursued initially is something the story offers itself an out of as it marches towards a more conventional conclusion. While there was unlikely to be an ending that was solely depressing, there is something a bit disappointing in how this follow-up film seems to pull its punches. To spend much of the experience laying out just how fractured everything is, only to put all the pieces together in the end, feels odd. All is just smoothed over as the story pushes towards a final battle where the conflict is more clear-cut as opposed to being complicated by past relationships.

That being said, this final sequence is an almost poetic one in how it echoes a tactic that kicked off the very beginning of The Last Kingdom ’s first season. It may not be as thrilling in its choreography as a work like The Woman King , but that isn't the point when it embraces the brutality of this battle. There is blood, piss, and vomit as two opposing forces just smash into each other. For all the ways that characters might be talented fighters, there is no escaping the crushing meat grinder that surrounds them on all sides. It is claustrophobic and terrifying, stripping away any sense of glory to show just how devastating it is. A brief final speech by Uhtred leading up to the fight abandons excess sentimentality, frankly laying out the stakes and expressing how he will stand with them to the end. There are even a couple jokes that end with ripples of laughter going out along the line, including one about how the men all must smell awful. It is as grimy as it is grim, holding nothing back from confronting the fact that all Uhtred tried to avoid still ended with them all paying a heavy price.

Though the film remains too enamored with focusing on what is again an overly neat and tidy close to this saga, with one final shot proving to be out of place in how it pulls us out of this world, the road it took to get there remains sufficiently satisfying. When all the dust settles, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is a flawed yet fitting finale that serves as a send-off to Uhtred of Bebbanburg and the bloody life he did everything to find a way clear of.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is now streaming on Netflix.

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The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die Review – the grand finale to a historically detailed Netflix series

We review the 2023 Netflix film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, which does not contain spoilers.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die   is the final send-off to a series that has been on Netflix since 2015.  The Last Kingdom   has been a massive draw for the streaming service for the past five years. The series did come to an end in 2022, and this movie was made for television.

The series was based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series of novels . For fans of historical fiction, this Netflix series was adapted quite well.

Even though it is an extension of the final season ( see: The Last Kingdom Season 5 Review ), the decision to incorporate so much in a two-hour film was undoubtedly a choice.

Fans wanted another season because there is still so much story left to tell, but this movie was the compromise for everyone.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die Review and Plot Summary

In the wake of King Edward’s death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his comrades come across a fractured kingdom, hoping to finally unite England. Uhtred is the leader of a people in Northumbria, and his alliance with the royal family of Wessex to the south is tested when newly crowned King Aethelstan comes to power.

His right-hand man advised him to use this particular moment to gain control of Britain.

READ: Best Netflix Movies of All Time

The title of the film  Seven Kings Must Die  is a prophecy that Uhtred’s wife foresees. There are eight kings in total in the kingdom, but she has said that seven will most definitely die and that one will reign.

Instead of a generic fight for the crown, the prophecy adds another layer to the ongoing battle.

Is The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die good or bad?

The Last Kingdom  has a reasonably wide fanbase for Netflix, so fans of the series will appreciate the work done in this film. As a standalone film, it is a good story that works in much of what could have been used in an entire season on television.

It’s a period piece that will make fans of the series very happy, and those who appreciate historical fiction feast while watching. It is repetitive as the director Edward Bazalgette and writer Martha Hillier make sure the audience understands that “seven kings must die.”

Is The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die worth watching?

The one downfall of this standalone film is that too much is happening at once. It is plot-heavy, even though there are battles throughout, but it’s a lot to take in. If you’re a fan, you already know the characters and the locations, but if you’re going in blind to this, it’s a bit difficult to follow.

If you enjoy historical fiction and have nothing else to watch this weekend, this will be a nice compact two hours filled with everything you love. However, for those who aren’t fans of the genre or the series, the character dynamics don’t hold this together, and it feels cluttered for most of the film.

What did you think of the 2023 Netflix film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die? Comment below.

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Article by Amanda Guarragi

Amanda Guarragi joined Ready Steady Cut as an Entertainment Writer in June 2022. She is a Toronto-based film critic who has covered TIFF, Sundance Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and HorrorFest International. Amanda is also a growing YouTuber, with her channel Candid Cinema growing in popularity.

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Is Netflix's The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die worth a watch?

It's the last adventure for dashing Danish warrior Uhtred.

However, even if you can't quite follow who has just betrayed whom, who's related to whom and why they want them dead, this is nonetheless a beautifully-filmed action adventure with a watchable lead in Alexander Dreymon, whose Uhtred is front and centre enough that you don't have to worry too much about some of the more complex machinations going on around him.

Fans of the series, of course, will know exactly what is going on and will be itching to find out how the gripping series is wrapped up in this final movie, and whether it comes to a satisfying end (spoiler-free answer: it does).

Picking up some time after the end of season five, Seven Kings Must Die begins with Northumbrian lord Uhtred's relatively peaceful existence disrupted once more, first with the news that King Edward has died, calling into question who will now rule his lands, and second with seer Ingrith's ominous pronouncement that "Seven kings must die, and the woman you love."

There are numerous betrayals, stabbings (including a nice sword to the back of the skull) and 10th-century treacheries to follow as one of Edward's sons, Aethelstan (Harry Gilby), attempts to forge a united England while numerous kings – could there be seven of them, perchance? – from Scotland, Shetland, Orkney and the like form an alliance with the dastardly Danish warrior Anlaf (Pekka Strang) in opposition to the King's plans.

It's all leading up to a big battle – the Battle of Brunanburh in AD 937 for the historians among us – and director Ed Bazalgette goes all out for the spectacular set piece, featuring gushing injuries, fierce sword battles, dramatic charges and tautly co-ordinated fight scenes all happening on the screen at once. It's pretty stunning.

While there's lots of action and compelling storylines to keep us interested in the earlier part of the movie – how the Vikings and Saxons had time for fighting when they are spending so much time plotting and being generally devious is anyone's guess – it is in this big battle that both the cast and the effects and stunt teams really shine.

Dreymon, Gilby and most notably Laurie Davidson, as Aethelstan's advisor Ingilmundr, are all convincing and complicated, never falling into the stereotypes of hero or villain, and their confrontations on the battlefield are as gripping as they are gruesome.

If you loved The Last Kingdom as a series, you'll be very pleased with this final slice of medieval warrior life, and if this is your first introduction to the story (as based on Bernard Cornwell's books), you'll no doubt be tempted to start watching Uhtred's adventures from the very beginning of season one as soon as the movie's end credits have rolled.

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is on Netflix now.

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Freelance film & TV writer, Digital Spy Critic and writer Jo Berry has been writing about TV and movies since she began her career at Time Out aged 18. A regular on BBC Radio, Jo has written for titles including Empire, Maxim, Radio Times , OK! , The Guardian and Grazia , is the author of books including Chick Flicks and The Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Movies . 

She is also the editor of website Movies4Kids . In her career, Jo has interviewed well-known names including Beyonce, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Cruise and all the Avengers, spent many an hour crushed in the press areas of award show red carpets. Jo is also a self-proclaimed expert on Outlander and Brassic , and completely agrees that Die Hard is a Christmas movie .

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The last kingdom: seven kings must die, common sense media reviewers.

Medieval violence abounds in intense historical fantasy.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Uhtred cares more for the king and his soldiers th

Some secondary female characters have active roles

Medieval battle violence throughout. Basically, th

Two men passionately kiss in one scene; implied se

Some profanity, including "c--k," "s--t," "arse,"

Boisterous drinking in alehouses in some scenes.

Parents need to know that The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is a medieval fantasy movie in which kings and armies scheme to unite England in the 10th century. Expect a lot of medieval fighting violence, including an extended battle between two armies that basically comprises the third act. Lots of blood…

Positive Role Models

Uhtred cares more for the king and his soldiers than he does about attaining personal glory.

Diverse Representations

Some secondary female characters have active roles as spies or fighters.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Medieval battle violence throughout. Basically, the third act is one big battle between opposing forces, all wielding swords, hatchets, bows and arrows, etc. Blood spurts. Lots of fighters killed. A character is executed by blade to the back of the neck, with graphic sound and blood. Hanging execution.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Two men passionately kiss in one scene; implied sex. Kings and soldiers make innuendo-laced jokes about this affair between the two men.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Some profanity, including "c--k," "s--t," "arse," "bastard."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is a medieval fantasy movie in which kings and armies scheme to unite England in the 10th century. Expect a lot of medieval fighting violence, including an extended battle between two armies that basically comprises the third act. Lots of blood spurts and dead bodies. There's a graphic execution in which a man is stabbed in the back of the neck with an ax, with blood spurts and sound effects, plus a hanging death. Two men are shown passionately kissing in one scene; sex is implied. Some drinking occurs in alehouses. Occasional strong language includes "c--k," "s--t," "arse," and "bastard." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In THE LAST KINGDOM: SEVEN KINGS MUST DIE, it's the aftermath of King Edward's death, and Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) is to inherit the throne. But Aethelstan is young and under the questionable influence of his adviser, Ingilmundr ( Laurie Davidson ), who advocates for violence and oppression at every turn. As Uhtred ( Alexander Dreymon ) witnesses what's happening, he's also aware that rival kings and the Danes are seeking to claim England for themselves. All the while, Uhtred and his men are aware of the haunting prophecy "Seven kings must die." Uhtred must find a way to convince Aethelstan that Ingilmundr has betrayed his trust and must raise an army to stop the rival kings' armies so that Aethelstan can rule a united England.

Is It Any Good?

This is an entertaining, if violent, medieval war movie. The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die is a sequel based on the television program, but it stands on its own as a worthy story. There are betrayals and shifting alliances aplenty, but the story doesn't fly off the rails as these plot twists happen. It's very violent, though, and the third act is basically one big battle scene not terribly different from the climactic battle scene in Braveheart .

Edward Bazalgette's direction is steady and effective throughout, and here's a fun fact for you '80s New Wave fans out there: Bazalgette is also in the band The Vapors, who gave the world the one-hit wonder "Turning Japanese." The acting is above average for movies like this, where, typically, the actors are more about the fight scenes than delivering their lines in a credible manner. And the dialogue isn't excruciating, unlike in so many of these movies with their constant lines on the order of "Fulfill your destiny!" etc.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about movies based on TV shows like The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die . What would be the challenges in adapting a TV show into a movie?

This is based on historical events. How accurately do you think the movie portrays what happened? Where do you think it took liberties for the sake of the story?

Was the violence a necessary component of the story, or did it seem excessive? Why?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : April 14, 2023
• Cast : Alexander Dreymon , Harry Gilby , Laurie Davidson
• Director : Edward Bazalgette
• Inclusion Information : Female writers
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More
• Run time : 111 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : May 8, 2023

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Seven Kings Must Die’ on Netflix, a Bloody Finale to ‘The Last Kingdom’

Where to stream:.

• Seven Kings Must Die
• The Last Kingdom

R.I.P. Adrian Schiller: ‘The Last Kingdom’ And ‘Beauty And The Beast’ Actor Dead At 60

‘seven kings must die’ marks a “bittersweet” farewell for ‘the last kingdom’s tight-knit cast and crew, ‘seven kings must die’ ending explained: does uhtred die.

Netflix’s new film Seven Kings Must Die officially completes the saga started in The Last Kingdom . Uhtred son of Uhtred ( Alexander Dreymon ) might have finally taken back his father’s seat of Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom Season 5 finale, but England still needs to be united under the rule of one king to finish Bernard Cornwall’s Saxon Chronicles . Will Uhtred of Bebbanberg and his stalwart companions survive one last battle? Will Last Kingdom fans be happy with the epic conclusion? Will viewers who don’t know their Aethelstans from their Aethelfleads understand what is going on in Seven Kings Must Die ? All I know is destiny is all!

SEVEN KINGS MUST DIE : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Seven Kings Must Die opens with the Danish Warrior-King Anlaf (Pekka Strong) quietly invading English shores with the help of his spy daughter Astrid (Agnes Born). (What schemes could he be up to?) But then we go to our hero’s seat: Bebbanburg.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s bestie Finan ( Mark Rowley ) is bragging that his wife Ingrith (Ilona Chevakova) has foreseen the future. She shyly says that in her dreams she has been told a prophecy: Seven kings and the woman you love must die before England can be united. Uhtred laughs this off as he doesn’t currently have a sidepiece, but his friends take the news of King Edward’s death to mean only six more have to go.

Edward’s death leaves Aethelstan (Harry Gilby), Uhtred’s former friend and ward, first in line to the throne. Uhtred is delighted because he has always wanted Aethelstan to unite the warring cultures of England, but there’s a catch. Edward’s widow Eadgifu (Elaine Cassidy) explains that Aethelstan is now under the spell of an ambitious Christian named Ingilmundr (Laurie Davidson). When Uhtred rushes to Aethelstan’s aid against his rebellious younger brother Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks), the warrior sees just how sadly true this is. Aethelstan murders his own blood and devastates a whole city.

Aethelstan is pushed by Ingilmundr to conquer England in the name of Christianity. This doesn’t sit well with Uhtred, who was raised a pagan by the Danes. As Uhtred’s relationship with Aethelstan turns icy, the kings of Scotland, Wealas, Strathclyde, Orkney, the Isle of Man, and Shetland begin to forge an alliance to counter the young king’s increasingly tyrannical actions.

Destiny will bring Uhtred, his allies, his enemies, and Aethelstan to the Battle of Brunanburh, which would determine the future of England.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Well, Seven Kings Must Die feels an awful lot like a little show called The Last Kingdom . But if you’ve never watched that show, it’s got the energy of a low rent Braveheart or more politically complex version of Netflix’s Outlaw King. There’s battles a-plenty, tons of leather and fur, and oodles of bloodshed.

Performance Worth Watching: The single reason why The Last Kingdom endured so long on Netflix after the BBC cancelled it is Alexander Dreymon. The German-born actor’s charismatic turn as Uhtred is nothing short of electrifying. Here, he is no longer the arrogant warrior youth, lucking his way through life with his wits and luck. Instead, he’s older, wiser, and grappling with the sense that knocking skulls and king-making might indeed be a young man’s game. Dreymon’s Uhtred transcends most action performances to become the heart and soul of the whole damn project.

Memorable Dialogue: Hands down the best line in the entire film comes from Uhtred’s wisecracking Irish bestie Finan. After Uhtred’s iconic amber-hilted sword is stolen early in the film, Finan presents him with a new one. He lists off potential names for the new blade, including one “Uhtred Sword of Uhtred.” Uhtred son of Uhtred sadly doesn’t bite.

Sex and Skin: While Uhtred of Bebbanburg spent all five seasons of The Last Kingdom romancing the ladies, he strikes out in Seven Kings Must Die . There’s a brief flirtatious moment between him and the widowed queen, but Eadgifu tosses cold water on anyone’s match-making. However — and this is a spoiler — Aethelstan has a secret lover and this lover’s identity is important to the plot…and Aethelstan’s tyrannical temper tantrums.

Our Take: Look, as a casual Lost Kingdom fan, I enjoyed watching Uhtred and his boys take on one last score adventure. Was I lost part of the time? Sure. Do I know how to keep all the Saxon names apart? No. Did I adore watching Dreymon, Rowley, and Arnas Fedaravicius bond as Dark Ages bros? Yes. Seven Kings Must Die is a fitting, frenetic end to The Last Kingdom journey. My only concern is that it might not be as accessible to newcomers as the producers hope.

Our Call: If you are a Lost Kingdom fan, Seven Kings Must Die is a must watch! Stream It! But if you’ve never had the luxury of girlcrushing over Hild and didn’t recognize House of the Dragon ‘s Ewan Mitchell as “baby monk,” maybe Skip It.

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‘The Last Kingdom’ Enters Valhalla

Netflix’s ‘The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die’ delivers a fitting, feature-film finish to an underappreciated show

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Alexander Dreymon has been playing Uhtred of Bebbanburg—a.k.a. Uhtred Ragnarsson, a.k.a. Uhtred, son of Uhtred—for approximately 65 years. Only on screen, of course: In real life, Dreymon, the star of Netflix’s The Last Kingdom , just turned 40. In the first of the five seasons of the series that aired between 2015 and 2022, Dreymon was a good deal older than the then-teenaged Uhtred, whose story started in the mid-ninth century CE. In The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die , a new feature-length film that concludes Uhtred’s saga, Dreymon is decades younger than the half-Dane, half-Saxon hero he portrays. The movie, which came out on Netflix on Friday, features an older and wiser warrior who’s still swinging swords, riding horses, and anchoring shield walls well into the 10th century, at age 81.

“We don’t talk about that,” Dreymon jokes.

“We don’t talk about that” is also, seemingly, the longstanding stance of much of the TV recap-industrial complex when it comes to The Last Kingdom . Yet per Nielsen, the series ranked as the 14th-most-watched original streaming series last year, putting it well ahead of Amazon’s billion-dollar bet on big-name IP, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power , and roughly on par with other, more buzzed-about shows such as The Boys , The Great British Baking Show , and The Umbrella Academy . That’s not too shabby for a fifth season, especially one without much of a marketing blitz.

“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t wish that we had had some posters up on Sunset Boulevard at some point, or had been more in award conversations,” Dreymon admits. But “in the scheme of things,” he continues, “I’m extremely grateful about how it’s gone, and the fact that we did not have an advertising push really at any point and we still were as successful as we are now is just wonderful.”

Dreymon is quick to credit the Netflix algorithm (as well as the show’s fans) for The Last Kingdom ’s many minutes watched. Netflix—which coproduced Season 2 with BBC Two before acquiring the series and assuming sole production duties starting with Season 3—certainly helped put the show in front of its subscribers’ eyeballs. But The Last Kingdom kept them trained on the screen. Yes, the series’ succession struggles, uneasy alliances, sex, and brutal battles have sparked comparisons to Game of Thrones . (The franchises share some common cast members , too, not to mention the whole seven kings/ seven kingdoms thing.) And Odin knows it’s not the only Viking content produced in recent years (see The Northman , Norsemen , Vikings , and Vikings: Valhalla ). But although Dreymon acknowledges a “large overlap” between The Last Kingdom ’s audience and those of the series it somewhat resembles, the show’s humor, historical detail, charismatic cast, and striking scenery and action have always made it much more than an imitator or a pale substitute for something else.

It’s easier to pinpoint the series’ strengths than it is to explain the mysterious, youth-preserving power of Uhtred’s medieval diet, exercise, and skin-care routine. The Last Kingdom , which depicts the historical unification of England through the tale of Dreymon’s fictitious leader, lover, and fighter, draws on compelling and copious source material: Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories . Nine of Cornwell’s Saxon Stories novels had been published when the TV version first premiered, with a 10th on the way. Thus, the adaptation was conceived as a five-season series that would tackle two books per season. The fifth season resolved the saga in satisfying fashion: Uhtred, the rightful ruler of the Northern England stronghold of Bebbanburg, achieved a series-long objective by reclaiming control of his ancestral home, which was seized by his treacherous uncle and cousin after Uhtred was kidnapped and raised by the Vikings who killed his father. The Season 5 finale earned the highest IMDb user rating of any episode in the series. The Last Kingdom could have ended there.

However, the prolific Cornwell—who also authors the even-more-voluminous, previously adapted Sharpe series of novels about Napoleonic Wars veteran Richard Sharpe—had pumped out three more books while the show was airing. This was, in a way, the opposite of the problem encountered by Thrones . Instead of outstripping the books it was based on, The Last Kingdom couldn’t keep up. Hence what Dreymon calls a “bonus”: an almost-two-hour special based largely on the 13th and final installment of The Saxon Stories , 2020’s War Lord (which Cornwell—who’s descended from a real Uhtred who lived years after the octogenarian Uhtred of Seven Kings Must Die — dedicated to Dreymon ).

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Seven Kings Must Die ties up the overarching narrative that intersected with (and sometimes set back) Uhtred’s already completed personal quest: the effort to unify England under Alfred the Great and his direct descendants and successors, Edward the Elder and Aethelstan. Thanks to the show’s liberal attitude toward time, Uhtred somehow serves both Alfred—who was played by an actor the same age as Dreymon—and Aethelstan, Alfred’s grandson, without appearing to age in the interim any more than Dreymon did in real life. Although the math of Uhtred’s timeline might make longtime viewers grin, The Last Kingdom benefits in more than one way from following Outlander ’s example and defying Father Time in regard to its good-looking leads.

The sweeping passage of time expands the series’ scope to encompass more than a half-century’s worth of invasions and victories, without subjecting Dreymon to many hours in the makeup chair or relying on jarring recasting . It also enables Uhtred to experience history repeating itself and to learn lessons from his multigenerational allegiance to Alfred’s line, all while continuing to take part in the combat that became a calling card of the series. “It’s just one of the main selling points of the show, and it’s what’s so fun to watch about it,” Dreymon says. “And I think it would not have worked if Uhtred had been a much older man.”

That’s not to say that the not-so-superannuated Uhtred of Seven Kings Must Die hasn’t mellowed somewhat with age. “The younger Uhtred was so impulsive, and there’s definitely a part of that still left in the older version of him, but I think there’s much more reflection now,” Dreymon says. “And I think whereas at the beginning it was a very selfish endeavor, he is now starting to focus more on the people in his life and what’s important to them.”

Uhtred has loved and lost more than once over the course of the series, and the Season 5 demise of his royal ride-or-die, Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed—“So many Flaeds. So many Aeths,” Dreymon moans—leaves little room for romance in the movie. But there’s ample time for platonic love, as Uhtred patiently mentors a wayward Aethelstan—perhaps, Dreymon suggests, seeking to make up for Uhtred’s own failings as a father—and bonds with longtime companions, particularly Irish sidekick Finan, his bosom bro since Season 2. “At the beginning of the story, Uhtred was definitely a bit of a ninth-century James Bond/fuckboy,” Dreymon says. “And I think it’s great that his focus is not so much about that anymore.”

Instead, it’s on saving Aethelstan from his worst impulses (and the poisonous influence of his adviser/lover, Ingilmundr) and helping Alfred’s grandson make his grandfather’s dream of England a reality. “I always felt like Uhtred and King Alfred had a bit of a bromance/love/hate relationship going on,” Dreymon says. Although Alfred often relied on Uhtred, he and his inner circle often mistrusted him, too—as did Edward, and as does Aethelstan. No matter how many times Uhtred aids them, he can’t fully win over their trust as a half-Dane, especially a pagan one who refuses to convert to Christianity. “It’s his predicament, and he has to keep fighting against it,” Dreymon says. “And of course it’s frustrating, and it’s frustrating that it happens again with the sons of the people that did it in the first place.”

Dreymon, who shares Uhtred’s peripatetic background and resulting sense of being untethered to any one place—the actor was born in Germany and raised in France, Switzerland, and the U.S.—doesn’t think he’d have Uhtred’s tolerance for repeatedly proving himself to doubters. “I would’ve bailed a while ago,” he says. “I would’ve focused on the people in my life that are trustworthy and loving and loyal. I probably would’ve settled down with Finan a long time ago, and we would’ve raised Sihtric together.” (I would watch that show.)

Uhtred, however, is bound by his oath, his honor, and his need to be acknowledged, which Dreymon traces to daddy issues. Just as Uhtred wanted to take back Bebbanburg partly to prove to his long-dead father—played by Matthew Macfadyen, while we’re on the subject of succession —that he was a worthy heir, he wants to watch over Aethelstan to show the long-dead Alfred that Uhtred deserved his trust. And even though his ceaseless limbo between two worlds prevents him from feeling patriotic, he does see the upside of fighting for one side. “It goes hand in hand with his quest for a home and his quest for identity,” Dreymon says, adding, “He understands the vision that Alfred had. Not necessarily of England, but really what it stands for… a place where people from both origins can live together in peace. And I think that’s something that is very clearly worth fighting for, in his eyes and in mine.”

The Last Kingdom is nothing if not consistent—its seasonal-average episode ratings have hovered between 8.5 and 8.9—and in my estimation, Seven Kings Must Die matches or exceeds the series’ usual standard. (Amusingly, given the frequent comps to Thrones —which Dreymon says he considers a compliment— The Last Kingdom ’s 8.7 average episode rating matches that of Thrones , which ranks both series among the highest-rated long-running TV dramas.) The film was intended to tell a stand-alone story that could be watched without the five-season, 46-episode prelude. For the most part, it succeeds as a solo project, though those who board The Last Kingdom train just before its last stop will lack the historical context, proper-name knowledge, and emotional attachments that will make the movie more rewarding for existing Uhtred diehards and Aethelstan stans.

Although the title smacks of a Scott Pilgrim / Kill Bill / No More Heroes –style vendetta, there isn’t really a royal hit list in Seven Kings Must Die . There is, of course, a climactic battle. The Last Kingdom has excelled at staging show-stopping fights since Season 1 , and the movie’s Battle of Brunanburh belongs on the list of violent highlights. Though other shows and movies may inflate their budgets with larger-scale clashes and flashier special effects—the ninth and 10th centuries were fairly light on both bodies and explosions—few can rival the controlled ferocity and tactical clarity of The Last Kingdom ’s combat. Even in the thick of battle, the choreography is riveting and transparent: Each hack, slash, and stab is served with a purpose, as armies form walls, wheel around, and give ground in order to establish some advantage that the audience can see before it dawns on Uhtred’s enemies.

Speaking of violence: Dreymon doesn’t want to weigh in on whether Uhtred’s vision of Valhalla toward the end of the movie indicates that he’s dying from wounds suffered at Brunanburh. “Whether he goes there now or whether he goes there later—because, as you say, he is technically 81 years old—might not [make much difference],” Dreymon says. The important thing, the actor argues, is that “He knows where he’s going to go. And I think that’s a beautiful ending to the story and a beautiful, heartwarming present for this character to have at the end of where we leave him in the story, because he knows that he’s going to be in a place where he’ll be cozy, if that’s the right word for a feast hall.”

It’s definitely not the right word for how it felt to film some of the scenes in the series. Asked where he’s going to go after playing Uhtred for so long, Dreymon starts to say, “It would be nice to shoot something that is less of a physical …” Then he stops himself. “Actually, as I’m saying this, it’s so not true. It’s bullshit what I’m telling you. I love the physical challenge. I loved every moment of shooting outside, of being on the horse, even if it was cold and wet.” And it often was, which made Dreymon appreciate the hot showers and warm beds—the cozy accommodations—that the real-life fighters of Uhtred’s day didn’t have. “I am amazed that humanity has made it this far,” Dreymon says.

Dreymon does want to branch out to different types of roles. He’s recently taken on two in his personal life: Last year he got engaged to Allison Williams, with whom he has a son ( not named Uhtred ). On screen, he’d like to try a comedy; an action movie that isn’t a period piece; a contemporary, character-driven drama. Like Cornwell, he and we can close the book on The Last Kingdom . In the era of rampant prequels, sequels, and spinoffs, it’s rarely safe to declare a tale completely told; even Cornwell is about to publish a few extra, stray Saxon stories. But it would be tough for any opportunistic streamer to extend Uhtred’s adventures in either direction when we’ve already followed him from close to the cradle to close to the grave. (Plus, although Dreymon’s character, like his father and grandfather before him, has a son named Uhtred, the Uhtreds may end with Uhtred IV, for a tragic reason .)

Like Uhtred and Alfred, The Last Kingdom accomplished the lofty goal it set for itself long ago. And with Seven Kings Must Die , the saga expires with a sword in its hand, as any Viking warrior would want to .

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The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)

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Review: ‘The Last Kingdom’ Offers a Fight, With Swords, for Identity

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By Neil Genzlinger

• Oct. 9, 2015

It’s entirely possible that the world already has enough television costume dramas set in a time when men (and the occasional woman) dressed in animal skins and quested after some elusive throne or castle or land mass. “The Last Kingdom,” which begins Saturday on BBC America, could persuade you otherwise, but it sure isn’t in a hurry to do so.

The series has a sprawling cast and high production values, yet it starts off rather generically — bearded men playing with swords, battling over territory.

“I already have ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Vikings’ episodes I haven’t gotten to,” you might find yourself saying. “Why do I need this thing?”

Hang around until Episode 3, though, and substantive themes begin to take shape that give this series a distinctive personality.

The show opens in the year 866 in the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. It’s before England has jelled into the country we know, and a Danish armada is headed in. A young boy who will become known as Uhtred watches as his father (Matthew Macfadyen) tries unsuccessfully to defend his piece of Northumbria, called Bebbanburg. The boy is taken captive by the invaders, then raised with relative benevolence by Earl Ragnar (Peter Gantzler).

That relationship, too, is interrupted by violence, and by the end of the first episode, Uhtred (now played by Alexander Dreymon) is a grown man who is rootless and conflicted. And one of the show’s main areas of interest has been established: identity. Born Saxon and Christian but raised Danish and (in the Christian view) pagan, Uhtred has to decide who he is, whom he serves and what he wants. And his personal struggles mirror the bigger question that emerges by Episode 3: Is there a broader identity that can bind assorted free-standing kingdoms together into England, and will that entity have enough moxie to cast out the Danes?

The invaders swallow up so much territory that eventually only Wessex — the last kingdom of the title — remains. And the series doesn’t really hit its stride until, in the third episode, Alfred (David Dawson) becomes king there. He has big ideas.

“All that remains of England is Wessex,” he tells Uhtred, who has found his way to Wessex. “The birth of an England, the idea of a single kingdom called England, has to begin here. There is nowhere else.”

Mr. Dawson gives the show’s most attention-getting performance as Alfred, who also embodies another theme of the series: exploring the moment when, at least in that part of the world, the ability to write was beginning to lead humanity to view itself differently. Few characters in the series can read or write, but Alfred can, and it has helped him to conceptualize people and events in relation to their long-term importance.

“When a man dies,” he explains, “if nothing is written, he is soon forgotten.”

Like many shows in this genre, “The Last Kingdom” is male-centric. In the early going, at least, there is really only one female character of substance, Brida (Emily Cox), who was also captured by the Danes as a child. She has grown up alongside Uhtred and as an adult is his comrade both in arms and in bed. She is outspoken and fearless. One challenge for the writers of this show, which is based on Bernard Cornwell’s historical novels , is to find enough for her to do.

The other is to stay focused on the big themes — the symbiosis between religious faith and warfare is another — and not get caught up in the Gore Olympics that preoccupy some shows in this genre. There are bigger questions to be explored here than how many ways can be found to impale someone on a sword.

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‘The Last Kingdom’ Movie ‘Seven Kings Must Die’ Netflix Movie: Everything We Know So Far

With the end of 'The Last Kingdom' on Netflix, the final chapter of Uhtred's epic saga will be told in the movie 'Seven Kings Must Die'.

The Last Kingdom – Copyright Carnival Film & Television

With the end of The Last Kingdom on Netflix, the epic finale to the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg will be told through the movie, Seven Kings Must Die .  Coming to Netflix in April 2023, h ere’s everything we know so far about Seven Kings Must Die on Netflix.

Seven Kings Must Die is an upcoming Netflix Original fictional-historical drama movie, and sequel to The Last Kingdom television series. The film continues the adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s incredible Saxon Stories novels.

Netflix picked up The Last Kingdom from the BBC after the latter canceled the show after two seasons. The streaming service had already been working with the BBC on the show, as outside of the UK, The Last Kingdom was already distributed as a Netflix Original. Three further incredible seasons were produced, and with the film on the way in the near future, we’ll get to see a dramatic and epic conclusion to the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

Season 5 of The Last Kingdom arrived on Netflix on March 9th, 2022 .

When is the Netflix release date for Seven Kings Must Die ?

It has been revealed that Seven Kings Must Die will be released on Netflix on April 14th, 2023.

A trailer for the movie has yet to be released, but we expect to see one extremely soon.

Seven Kings Must Die – Copyright Carnival Film & Television

Who’s behind Seven Kings Must Die?

British director Ed Bazalgette will be directing the movie as confirmed by a clapper. Bazalgette is no stranger to The Last Kingdom having directed episodes in seasons 3 and 4 (he served as an executive producer for the fourth season too).

Beyond The Last Kingdom , Bazalgette has worked on Poldark , Doctor Who, Versailles, and Netflix’s The Witcher .

What is the plot of Seven Kings Must Die ?

A synopsis for Seven Kings Must Die hasn’t been revealed as of yet, however, we can expect the following:

After successfully reclaiming his ancestral home of Bebbanburg, and in order for Uhtred to keep the peace, the Saxon-Dane promised to remain independent of any war between King Constantin of Alba and King Edward of Wessex. But an independent Bebbanburg means Edward’s dream of a unified England remains in doubt. So will another Wessex king go against his word and betray Uhtred? All Uhtred dreams of is to live out his days in Bebbanburg in peace, but fate may have ulterior motives, and once again Uhtred will be at the heart of shaping the future of England.

Copyright Carnival Film & Television

Who are the cast members of Seven Kings Must Die ?

In the press release for Seven Kings Must Die it was confirmed that Alexander Dreymon would return to reprise his role as Uhtred of Bebbanburg. It was also confirmed that multiple characters from the show will return to reprise their roles, along with some new faces who are yet to be announced.

We expect to see the following cast members to return:

• Uhtred – Alexander Dreymon
• Young Uhtred – Finn Elliot
• Stiorra – Ruby Hartley
• Osbert – Olly Rhodes
• King Edward – Timothy Innes
• King Constantin – Rod Hallett
• Eadgifu – Sonya Cassidy
• Aethelstan – Harry Gilby
• Aelfweard – Ewan Horrocks
• Finan – Mark Rowley
• Sihtric – Arnas Fedaravicius
• Father Pyrlig – Cavan Clerkin
• Aelswith – Eliza Butterworth
• Aelfwynn – Phia Saban
• Lady Eadith – Stefanie Martini
• Abbess Hild – Eva Birthistle
• Father Benedict – Patrick Robinson
• Cynlaef – Ryan Quarmby

Alexander Dreymon had the following to say about his time spent playing the role of Uhtred;

It has been such an honor to be part of telling this story for all these years. As an actor, I have been so challenged and gratified by the privilege of playing Uhtred. Hanging up Uhtred’s sword after filming ‘Seven Kings’ felt, ironically, heavy – even though I know that our tale has reached its conclusion. As an EP on the show, I could not be more proud of the hundreds of people who spent thousands of hours to make the best product possible. As for our loyal fans…what can I say? You are the reason we’ve reached this point and got to bring our saga to the end. This, as it always has been, is for you.

What is the movie runtime?

Surprisingly, the movie runtime has been announced way ahead of time and will be approximately 120 minutes.

What is the production status of Seven Kings Must Die ?

Official Production Status: Post-Production (Last Updated: 11/01/2023)

At the end of January 2022, a tweet from the official The Last Kingdom Twitter account confirmed that filming is currently ongoing in Hungary for Seven Kings Must Die .

We have officially started filming Seven Kings Must Die. Now that is special… #TheLastKingdom pic.twitter.com/rQxyLGWJyE — The Last Kingdom (@TheLastKingdom) January 31, 2022

Filming then took place for three months with the production wrapping on March 19th, 2022. Filming between season 1 and the movie took place over 663 days in total.

That’s a wrap for Seven Kings Must Die and a final series wrap for The Last Kingdom We can’t wait for you all to see it… Fun fact: the total number of shoot days from season 1 to today is 663! #TheLastKingdom pic.twitter.com/yQDfAfyDf6 — The Last Kingdom (@TheLastKingdom) March 19, 2022

How many more of The Saxon Stories are left to adapt?

By the end of the fifth season of The Last Kingdom , a total of ten novels from Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories had been covered.

While the story of the show has diverged significantly from the novels, there are still elements of the story from the novels that the show utilizes and adapts. This leaves the writers only 120 minutes to nitpick from the plot of the remaining novels, War of the Wolf , Sword of Kings , and War Lord .

The Saxon Stories: Copyright – HarperCollins

Will a sixth season of The Last Kingdom happen?

Netflix has already made it clear that The Last Kingdom series has come to an end and won’t be returning for a sixth season. Uhtred’s story in the show has concluded, and his final chapter will be told through Seven Kings Must Die .

Are you looking forward to the release of Seven Kings Must Die on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!

Jacob joined What's on Netflix in 2018 as a fulltime writer having worked in numerous other industries until that point. Jacob covers all things Netflix whether that's TV or movies but specializes in covering new anime and K-dramas. Resides in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

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