Arthur the King (2024)

An unexpected encounter. An unlikely bond. An unforgettable adventure.

PG-13
1h 47m

Directed by: Simon Cellan Jones
Book: Mikael Lindnord
Premiered: February 22, 2024
Language: English
Status: Released
Budget: $19,000,000.00
Revenue: $40,829,138.00
Awards: 3 wins & 1 nomination total
Country: Canada
United States of America

Arthur the King

7.5/10 (865 vote)

★★★★★★★★★★

Production: Entertainment One
Tucker Tooley Entertainment
Municipal Pictures
Atmosphere Entertainment MM

Spoiler

In the heart of Costa Rica, 2015, the elite of adventure racing converge for the World Championship. Among them is Michael Light, a seasoned competitor portrayed by Mark Wahlberg, whose name is synonymous with skill but conspicuously absent from championship titles. Bear Grylls’ commentary highlights Michael’s reputation as one of the sport's most talented individuals never to claim victory. This year, however, Michael’s relentless drive clashes with the pragmatic counsel of his teammate, Leo, played by Simu Liu. Against the prevailing wisdom of waiting for a favorable tide, Michael impulsively pushes their team onto the water in kayaks. This decision quickly backfires, leaving them stranded in mud. Michael’s unwavering determination to press onward, even in the face of adversity, ignites friction with Leo and Helen (Juliet Rylance), who ultimately insist on calling for assistance to tend to an injured fourth team member. The fallout from this misjudgment is swift and public, as Leo captures Michael’s stubbornness on video and shares it on social media, a post that would significantly impact Michael’s career trajectory.

Fast forward to 2018, the narrative shifts to the Dominican Republic, where a stray dog, later christened Arthur, navigates the urban landscape, a solitary scavenger. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Michael continues his rigorous training for endurance races, his life a stark contrast to the demanding world of competitive adventure. He shares a seemingly ordinary existence with his wife, Helen, and their daughter, Ruby (Cece Valentina). Yet, beneath the surface of domesticity, Michael grapples with an unfulfilled ambition. His professional life as a realtor, working alongside his father, Charlie (Paul Guilfoyle), feels mundane and unsatisfying. The tension between father and son escalates as Michael expresses his deep-seated desire to compete once more. The viral video posted by Leo, now a prominent influencer, has tarnished Michael’s legacy, leaving him deeply unsettled. Helen, ever the supportive partner, encourages Michael to actively seek out potential teammates and sponsors, believing a return to racing is still within reach.

Driven by this renewed hope, Michael embarks on a series of crucial meetings. His journey takes him to Big Sur, where he connects with Chik (Ali Suliman), a former champion whose promising career was cut short by a debilitating knee injury. From there, he travels to Hawaii to meet Olivia Baker (Nathalie Emmanuel), a formidable professional climber and a retired racer herself. Michael’s persuasive charisma and unwavering passion for the sport convince both Chik and Olivia to join his ambitious endeavor. His next challenge lies in securing corporate sponsorship. He approaches the executive team at Broadrail, a major company, with a compelling pitch. However, his determination is met with skepticism. In a moment of impassioned defense of his commitment, Michael declares his unyielding resolve to win, a statement that leads him to storm out of the meeting. Despite his abrupt departure, the Broadrail team is swayed by his conviction and agrees to finance the team, albeit with a significant stipulation: Leo must be the fourth member.

Michael’s reunion with Leo takes place on the set of a product photoshoot, where Leo, now a successful influencer, is actively promoting. The underlying tension is palpable as Leo makes it clear he understands Michael’s offer is a consequence of Broadrail’s demand. He challenges Michael to acknowledge his leadership missteps during their previous race together. Michael, humbled by the experience and his own career setbacks, offers a sincere apology. This act of contrition paves the way for Leo’s reluctant agreement to join the team.

With limited funding and a compressed timeline, the team arrives in the Dominican Republic just four days before the race, leaving them with scant time for preparation. During a practice session, they encounter their rivals, led by Decker (Rob Collins), and a friendly rivalry is established through playful banter. The atmosphere is electric at the race kickoff celebration, where Arthur, the stray dog, is seen observing the athletes from the crowd. The following day, Arthur’s life takes a perilous turn as he is pursued by other wild dogs through the city’s impoverished districts. He narrowly escapes, finding refuge on the back of a passing truck.

The race commences with a grueling foot trek through a dense jungle. From the outset, Michael questions Chik’s navigation choices when another team deviates from their path, but Chik stands his ground. Back home, Helen and Ruby diligently follow Michael’s progress online. The team reaches the first checkpoint in 17th position. During a brief respite, Michael encounters Arthur and shares a meatball with the dog, a gesture of kindness before the team resumes their arduous journey. The subsequent stages, characterized by all-terrain cycling, see the team forging stronger bonds, their camaraderie evident in their shared laughter and jokes. They opt for a daring shortcut to gain time, which necessitates a challenging vertical climb with their bikes strapped to their backs. Despite the immense struggle, they conquer the ascent, only to discover an abandoned zipline, their intended means of traversing a vast ravine. With their bikes secured to their waists, Chik and Leo successfully cross. However, Olivia becomes stranded mid-air when a crucial wire snaps. Michael bravely ventures out to assist her, devising a high-risk maneuver that allows them both to reach the other side, with Olivia swinging precariously beneath Michael and his bike.

The team presses on, reaching the next rest stop in 11th place. Their performance continues to impress, propelling them to 6th position by the halfway point, a mere hour behind the leading contenders. Michael, driven by his relentless pursuit of victory, persuades the team to shorten their rest period to 35 minutes, aiming to depart alongside the top competitors, including Decker. As night falls and a torrential downpour commences, Chik sustains a knee tweak after stumbling over a branch. Michael offers to lighten his load by carrying his pack. During a brief pause, Leo begins filming the team, but Michael abruptly confiscates his phone and discards it into the jungle, sparking an angry confrontation. Leo is incensed that Michael allowed them to race despite knowing about Chik’s pre-existing knee injury. Amidst their heated argument, Arthur reappears, recognized by the team from their earlier encounter. Arthur’s presence proves invaluable as he begins to nudge Chik forward when his pace falters.

The team faces disorientation after passing through a small town, becoming lost in the jungle. In a moment of critical intervention, Arthur darts ahead, barking insistently and halting the team just as they are about to walk off a cliff. Astonished by Arthur’s life-saving actions, the team promises him more sustenance at their next stop. As they attempt to cross a river, Arthur swims away, causing Michael a moment of reluctance to leave him behind. However, the team collectively decides to proceed. Arthur swiftly reappears, much to everyone’s relief.

Arthur’s unwavering companionship continues as the team navigates the subsequent stages. Leo experiences severe dizziness and vomiting during a strenuous uphill hike. Michael, reflecting on Arthur’s past and sharing their food, bestows upon him the regal moniker, "Arthur the King." Leo’s dehydration intensifies, prompting the team to utilize a local fishing boat to cross another river and reach their next destination.

Upon arrival, they are met with the exhilarating news that they have ascended to first place. Despite Leo’s insistence on continuing, Michael prioritizes their lead, advocating for an extended rest to allow Leo and Chik to recuperate. Michael attempts to arrange veterinary care for Arthur with a race supervisor, only to be informed that no veterinarians are available. While Leo and Chik rest, Olivia confides in Michael about her father’s cancer diagnosis and how his encouragement inspired her to participate in the race in his honor. Chik inquires about their limited five-day training period, prompting Michael to confess that financial constraints prevented a longer preparation and that he had invested half of the team’s funding using his wife’s savings. As the team readies to depart, Decker’s team arrives, taunting Michael’s team about their injuries and Arthur’s presence. Observing Decker’s apparent discomfort, the team surmises he is also in need of rest. They swiftly gather their gear and rejoin the course, with Arthur in tow.

Back home, Helen, engrossed in news coverage and social media, learns of Arthur’s unofficial designation as the fifth member of Team Broadrail. She shares this heartwarming news with Ruby, her excitement palpable. The final leg of the race commences with Decker’s team hot on their heels as they approach the kayak stage. Race officials, citing safety concerns, prohibit Arthur from joining the kayaks, a decision that allows Decker’s team to surge ahead during the ensuing argument. Michael reluctantly leaves Arthur behind, despite the dog’s mournful whimpers. As the team paddles forward, they nearly overtake Decker, but Arthur, undeterred, swims after them, risking drowning. Michael makes the profound decision to abandon their chance of winning, turning back to rescue Arthur. They arrive just in the nick of time, and the collective realization dawns that Arthur’s life holds more value than any victory.

The team continues the kayak stage for the next four hours, Arthur’s health visibly deteriorating. Upon reaching land, they embark on the final sprint, with Michael carrying Arthur on his back. As they approach the finish line, Arthur dismounts and runs alongside Michael, Leo, Chik, and Olivia, ultimately securing second place. The foursome erupts in celebration, embracing each other, their shared experience having already rendered them champions in their own right.

Michael transports Arthur to a local veterinarian, who diagnoses him with severe wounds from past abuse, now infected and infested with parasites. The veterinarian suggests euthanasia, as the necessary surgery is beyond their capabilities. Michael, however, is resolute in his determination to bring Arthur back to the United States. He is informed that border agents would likely deny entry due to Arthur’s condition. Michael contacts Helen, sharing his concerns about Arthur. Helen reassures him, likening Arthur’s resilience to Michael’s own fighting spirit. As Michael prepares to bid Arthur farewell, a last-minute change of heart prompts him to take the dog with him. Arthur’s reluctance to enter Michael’s hotel leads them to spend the night on the city streets. The following day, Leo discovers them and escorts them to the airport, where a large crowd has gathered in support of Michael’s mission to bring Arthur home. Notably, Decker and all the competing teams are present, demonstrating a profound sense of sportsmanship. Decker acknowledges that Michael’s team would have won had they not turned back and even proposes a future race with Chik.

Dominican customs officials, swayed by the outpouring of support, permit Arthur’s departure, met with cheers from the assembled crowd. Michael becomes visibly emotional when airport staff place Arthur in a cage for boarding, but Arthur willingly complies. Upon arrival in the U.S., Michael discovers Arthur in a distressed and immobile state within the crate. He carries Arthur out to a waiting Helen, who immediately rushes them to a veterinarian. In the waiting room, Michael learns that their story has garnered national attention, with thousands of dollars donated to Arthur’s cause. Helen also shares the joyous news of her pregnancy. Doctors perform surgery on Arthur, with his survival uncertain. Michael lies on the floor beside him, envisioning their shared future.

Eighteen months later, Arthur has made a full recovery. He and Michael are seen running together through the Colorado mountains, a testament to their enduring bond. Helen has given birth to a baby boy, and the family celebrates their new addition. An epilogue reveals that the crowdfunded donations covered all of Arthur’s medical expenses and established a foundation dedicated to animal welfare worldwide.