Prime Video's new video game series is the perfect reminder of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most underrated talent

The following contains spoilers for Secret Level's New World: The Once And Future King, now streaming on Prime VideoSecret levelArnold Schwarzenegger's showcase is a great reminder of one of the actor's finest talents as a performer. The anthological nature of Secret level allows each episode to stand on its own as its own story, with the best genre and style experiments to stunning effect. One of the most entertaining episodes of the series is “The Once And Future King”, which is an adaptation of New World: Aeternum. Set on the island of Aeternum, the game's universe introduces a mechanic where characters can never truly die and reappear after death.

'The Once And Future King' takes that premise and runs with it for some great jokes, effectively merging the grandiose action and proclamations of a fantasy adventure with the dry dark comedy of films like Groundhog Day or Happy death day. The short wouldn't work as well without Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role of Aelstrom, a role that feels like a direct parody of roles like Conan the Barbarian that established the actor in the first place. See how Secret levelThe video game adaptation and comedic take on fantasy benefit from Schwarzenegger's performance.

Secret Level plays Arnold Schwarzenegger in the comedy

Secret level Gives Arnold Schwarzenegger a perfect parody of Conan the Barbarian

Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance in Secret level It's a great reminder of Schwarzenegger's comics. Schwarzenegger plays Aelstrom, a swashbuckling king who has only known real life. When he arrives on the island of Aeternum, Aelstrom repeatedly tries to establish himself as ruler, only to be killed each time for this effort. Due to the magical nature of the island, Aelstrom is resurrected after each death, just so as not to lose any of his bravado. While this plays into the episode's moral about personal growth and evolution, the episode also leans into the dark and often silly comedy of seeing Aelstrom dead.

'The Once And Future King' quickly turns Aelstrom's plight into a joke, with one montage in particular highlighting how easily Aelstrom fails to match the island's true ruler in many forms of combat. Every attack of extreme self-confidence is met with pain and suffering. However, the episode plays everything for laughs, like when it takes Aelstrom a second to realize his arm has been cut off or when he is killed by chess pieces. There is a visceral catharsis in seeing a burly warrior of such a stereotypical appearance being repeatedly dispatchedd, especially since he always thinks he has the upper hand.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Always Been Quietly Hilarious

Schwarzenegger has some great comedies under his belt

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a cinema icon since his film debut more than forty years ago. For the most part, Schwarzenegger is known for his roles in action films like The Terminator, Conan the Barbarianand Predator. However, the actor has also always possessed a certain unexpected comedic timing. The result is an actor who can be surprisingly self-aware and silly when the situation calls for it.as in Secret level. His bravado comes with an unearned self-confidence that elevates “The Once And Future King” and keeps the audience from feeling bad about his repeated failures.

Schwarzenegger has occasionally had the chance to show off his comedic chops, with films like The Last Action Hero, Kindergarten police officer, Twinsand Killing Gunter all benefiting from his surprising comedic timing. Arnold Schwarzenegger knows how to use the natural confidence and bravado he brings to his more serious performances for laughsoffering his comedic roles many strong moments. It's one of the actor's best talents that often goes unnoticed when compared to his skills as an action star. This is what causes the amount of focus it receives Secret level even more rewarding.