Medieval (2022): Blood, Faith, and Steel in a Kingdom on the Brink

In a land ruled by kings, the fiercest warrior served no crown

Medieval (2022) delivers a gritty, unflinching portrait of 15th-century Europe in turmoil, centering on the true story of Jan Žižka—a Czech national hero, tactical genius, and freedom fighter. Directed by Petr Jákl, this historical epic plunges audiences into the chaos of pre-Hussite Bohemia, where betrayal bleeds through kingdoms and rebellion brews in the shadows of crumbling empires.

Ben Foster stars as Jan Žižka, a hardened mercenary with a code of honor sharper than his sword. Tasked with kidnapping the powerful Lady Katherine (Sophie Lowe) in a political move against the ruling elite, Žižka soon finds himself caught in a moral war greater than his contract. As he becomes entangled in her ideals and the people’s rising anger, the mercenary transforms into a symbol of resistance—fighting not for coin, but for justice.

Visually, Medieval is raw and immersive. Mud-soaked battlefields, crumbling castles, and bone-cracking hand-to-hand combat strip away the romanticism of the Middle Ages. The violence is brutal, not stylized—each sword clash and arrow wound drives home the brutal cost of war and power. The film doesn’t glorify war—it reveals its rot.

What elevates Medieval beyond standard historical action is its exploration of power, loyalty, and class. Žižka’s struggle is not just against corrupt lords but against the very system that enables tyranny. Lady Katherine’s presence adds a compelling emotional layer—balancing strength with compassion in a time when both were seen as weakness. Their relationship—complex, respectful, and tragic—grounds the film’s heart in human connection amid chaos.

Though the dialogue leans toward dramatic, even theatrical at times, it serves the tone of the story: this is a film about legends in the making, about men and women who carved history through blood and conviction. Medieval is not clean or comforting—it’s challenging, inspiring, and fiercely relevant in its portrayal of standing up to injustice, no matter the odds.