An In-Depth Look Into The Movie ‘Arthur The King’
Written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee
*All Media in this article is courtesy Lionsgate
Photo via Lionsgate
Cast & Crew Interviews: ‘Arthur The King’
'Arthur The King', a film by Lionsgate, was released on March 15, 2024. The movie, based on a true story, follows pro adventure racer Michael Light and his journey with a stray dog named Arthur, showcasing the development of an unbreakable bond amidst extreme endurance challenges. The film had a box office opening weekend of $7.5 million. This article will feature a plot synopsis, a character breakdown, behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew, clips from the movie, and an overview of how the film was covered in the media.
Arthur The King (2024) Official Trailer
video via Lionsgate
Film Plot Synopsis
Photo via Lionsgate
Adapted from "Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home," Mikael Lindnord's 2016 memoir, the Mark Whalberg film Arthur the King is yet another flick showcasing the heartwarming dichotomy of man and canine. Directed by Simon Cellan and starring Wahlberg, Simu Liu, and Juliet Rylance, the film details the very true story of Michael Light (Wahlberg) and the relationship he shares with his dog, Arthur, a stray that captures the hearts of many.
Featurette: ‘A Love Letter to Arthur’ | video via Lionsgate
The film begins in Ecuador, with Michael, a relatively unlikeable and hyper competitive team racer and adrenaline junkie (think along the lines of say, The Amazing Race) losing a really big race largely due to his own arrogance, which in turn, really turns his teammates against him. But these races are no joke; they encompass everything from running, biking, climbing and kayaking, all while navigating extremely challenging and almost impossible terrains. These kinds of races often stretch into weeks without breaks (and even penalties for things like IV breaks). But Michael thrives under these conditions, saying to his wife and former teammate, Helena (Rylance), ‘racer’s gonna race’. He really means it.
Featurette: ‘Finding Arthur’ | video via Lionsgate
After the incident in Ecuador, Michael finds himself without a team, as all of his other teammates have parted ways, many of them citing his personality and demeanor as toxic and unhelpful. Nobody will sponsor him, either. He’s backed himself into a corner with his previous actions and he is greatly suffering the consequences, now unable to find the team or the funding to race again. Here is where the film starts to intersperse shots of Arthur, the stray dog fending for himself on the harsh streets of Santo Domingo, roaming with nowhere to go. Arthur looks miserable; he is underfed, dirty, and dejected and no one seems to care much for Arthur.
Film Clip: ‘Must Have Wings’ | video via Lionsgate
Somehow, Michael finds himself a new team and secures only half the funding he requires. We meet Chick (Ali Suliman) the navigator, Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel) the expert climber, and Leo, (Liu) a social media star still very upset with Michael for blowing the race. This next race is described as ‘ten days of racing over the most challenging terrain on planet Earth’ and with their now limited budget, they don’t have time to acclimate to the climate or have much time in the way of preparation. They are deeply underfunded, underestimated and also, deeply unprepared for the coming race.
Film Clip: ‘The Cliff’ | video via Lionsgate
We learn that the first trek the team must endure is that of a twenty-four mile trek through a deeply difficult jungle, which is thick with foliage, dense with cliffs and uneven terrain, and not to mention, extremely humid. There’s really no path, the team has to make their own, which involves charting a terrain that is both uncharted and treacherous as well as navigating a frayed and clumsy zip-line, which is a real nail biter.
Film Clip: ‘Ziplining Cutdown’ | video via Lionsgate
Throughout the course of this new race, Michael and the team finally meet Arthur, who we the audience have already come to develop quite the soft spot for. Michael tosses a meatball to Arthur, who then begins to follow the team for over hundreds of miles and even saves them from running themselves off a cliff. Michael is a self-described ‘not a dog person’ and initially rejects Arthur’s companionship, as he sees this affection as a weakness, not a strength.
Photo Gallery: Images from ‘Arthur The King’ | Photo Credit: Carlos Rodriguez / Lionsgate
Throughout the course of the film however, the pair find themselves really inexplicably linked. Both are loners who keep right to themselves, not getting involved with their surroundings and focusing solely on survival. They begin to depend on one another and make a strong, familial bond with each other. We know from earlier Arthur montages that he doesn’t take to anyone, yet he’s followed Michael and the team all this way, which means Arthur really feels some destiny and connection between the two.
The final act of the film is Michael fighting hard to bring his Arthur home and he eventually succeeds, showcasing his hard-earned determination and that he’s changed and softened over time. It’s evident Arthur has taught Michael a valuable lesson. As the film closes, photographs of the real Arthur and Mikael are shown as we are reminded of the value of friendship and determination and how two are really better than one.
Arthur The King: Main Cast Breakdown with IMDB Links
Below, find a list of the top-billed cast along with links to their individual IMDB profiles. You can check out the official ‘Arthur The King’ IMDB page here to see a full cast and crew breakdown.
Mark Wahlberg - ‘Michael’
Photo by Kevork Djansezian - © 2011 Getty Images
Ali Suliman - “Chik”
video via Lionsgate
Nathalie Emmanuel - “Olivia”
video via Lionsgate
Simu Liu - “Leo”
video via Lionsgate
Juliet Rylance - “Helen”
Photo by Ethan Miller - © 2016 Getty Images via IMDB
Bear Grylls as Himself
Photo via IMDB
‘Arthur The King’ In The Media
If you’re curious about how this movie was received by the public, here is how some top media outlets covered the movie upon its release.
Roger Ebert - ‘Arthur The King’
USA Today - Is 'Arthur the King' a true story? The real history behind Mark Wahlberg's stray-dog movie
The Wrap - How to Watch ‘Arthur the King:’ Is Mark Wahlberg’s Heroic Dog Movie Streaming or in Theaters?
The Hollywood Reporter - ‘Arthur the King’ Review: Mark Wahlberg Lets the Dog Steal the Spotlight in Cheesy but Charming Canine Comedy
Los Angeles Times - Review: It’s a ruff road to redemption in ‘Arthur the King,’ a well-trained tail of bonding
Variety - ‘Arthur the King’ Review: Mark Wahlberg and a Very Good Dog Make For a Winning Combination in This Feelgood Drama
Rotten Tomatoes - ARTHUR THE KING REVIEWS
Pittsburgh Magazine - Movie Review: Arthur the King
Associated Press - Movie Review: Man and dog and adventure racing in ‘Arthur the King’
Washington Post - ‘Arthur the King,’ with Mark Wahlberg and a cute dog, is a royal letdown
Deadline - Mark Wahlberg Canine Pic ‘Arthur The King’ Gets Scraps At The Box Office: Here’s Why
Indie Wire - ‘Arthur the King’ Review: Mark Wahlberg Meets a New Best Friend in the Dominican Republic in Blandly Reassuring Adventure
Conclusion
'Arthur The King' presents a heartfelt journey of companionship, perseverance, and self-discovery, centered on the true story of Michael Light and Arthur, a stray dog, set against the backdrop of the grueling Adventure Racing World Championship. Through a blend of personal challenges and intense physical trials, the film, directed by Simon Cellan Jones and featuring Mark Wahlberg alongside a talented cast, emphasizes the profound impact of animal companionship on human lives. Garnering a modest $7.5 million during its opening weekend, the narrative unfolds with a mix of adventure and emotional depth, resonating with audiences and critics alike, despite mixed reviews focusing on its storytelling and character development. The movie's exploration of themes such as redemption, loyalty, and the strength of the human-animal bond contributes significantly to its place within the genre of inspiring true stories. For more movie breakdowns, be sure to check out our movie blog!
