The First King
Directed by Matteo Rovere
- history
- drama
The story
Romulus and Remus, two shepherds and loyal brothers, end up taking part to a journey that will lead one of them to be the founder of the greatest nation ever seen. However, the fate of the chosen one will pass from killing his own brother.
What it’s like
Muddy, rain-soaked wilderness shot in naturalistic, desaturated earth tones, with the camera close and handheld through the brothers' bodies so the violence and exhaustion feel physical. Daylight is raw and overcast, the forests and riverbanks dense with mud, fog and bare trees, and fires glow orange against the grey as the only warmth. The sound is mostly wind, water, breath and the clatter of gear, with percussive, drone-like music surfacing at key moments. Vibe: grim, earthy, primal awe, a bloody mythic origin story rather than a comfort watch. Pacing is lean and driven by survival, with long stretches of trudging alongside sudden bursts of brutal, close-quarters fighting. Intensity is high: frequent, graphic violence, blood and bodily injury, and a sustained sense of cruelty and dread, though no sexual content. The emotional register is tense and tragic, following the strained bond between two loyal brothers pulled apart by ambition. Best for viewers who want a visceral, historical-feeling epic about brotherhood and ruthless ambition, not something gentle.
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