The First King

A Brutal, Visceral Tale of Myth and Brotherhood

The First King (Il Primo Re) is a raw and atmospheric Italian historical drama that dives deep into the mythic origins of Rome. Directed by Matteo Rovere, the film strips away Hollywood gloss and delivers a primal, emotionally charged story centered on the legendary twin brothers Romulus and Remus. It’s not a sanitized legend—it’s a survivalist epic told with mud, blood, and fire.

Set in 8th-century BCE, the film follows Remus (Alessandro Borghi) and Romulus as they flee captivity and struggle to survive in a lawless, pagan world. After escaping slavery and leading a band of fugitives, the two brothers are drawn into a dangerous journey that tests their loyalty, ambition, and fate. Romulus is seen as the chosen one of the gods, while Remus, fierce and skeptical, fights to forge a different destiny.

Shot entirely with natural light and using an archaic form of Latin, the film immerses viewers in a harsh, unforgiving landscape where survival depends on strength, strategy, and belief. The lack of modern dialogue enhances the mythic quality of the story, giving it an almost timeless, ritualistic feel.

The action is gritty and physical, featuring brutal hand-to-hand combat and earthy realism rather than stylized spectacle. Yet beneath the violence lies a powerful emotional core: the bond between two brothers, shaped by love, rivalry, and destiny.

Alessandro Borghi delivers a gripping, physical performance as Remus—equal parts warrior, protector, and tragic figure. The film’s pacing is slow and deliberate, drawing the audience into a primal world where men fight not for riches, but for survival, legacy, and meaning.

The First King is not just a historical drama—it’s myth told with dirt under its fingernails. Visceral, bold, and beautifully crafted, it reimagines the founding of Rome as a clash of wills and a brutal birth of civilization.