Arthur the King 2024

In 2014, amidst the vibrant landscapes of Costa Rica, an ambitious American runner named Michael Light and his adventure racing team face a critical setback on their very first day. The trouble begins when their leader makes a poor decision to kayak against the tide, leading to frustrations from team member Leo, who expresses his discontent over Michael’s disregard for their insights.

Fast forward to 2018, after a frustrating three-year hiatus from competitive racing, Michael feels compelled to reclaim his passion and aims to finally clinch a victory. He assembles a team consisting of Olivia, a skilled climber whose father also thrived in the sport, and Chik, an older athlete whose recovery from a knee injury is uncertain. However, Michael’s sponsor insists on including Leo, now a social media sensation, as the fourth member of the team. Reluctantly, Michael agrees.

The team departs from the USA to the Dominican Republic, gearing up for a grueling five-day race traversing challenging mountainous jungle terrain. On the second day, as a gesture of kindness, Michael offers meatballs to a stray dog at the transition camp. Miraculously, later in the race, deep in the dense jungle, the same dog appears and begins to follow them. During a treacherous night trek, the dog saves Leo and the entire team from an imminent cliff fall, leading them to affectionately adopt him and name him Arthur, the King.

As the competition heats up, the team finds themselves leading the race. Yet, they are faced with a heart-wrenching decision: to leave Arthur behind on the shore while they kayak through the sea. Realizing the dog risks drowning while attempting to follow them, they make the choice to turn back and rescue him. This brave act, however, costs them valuable time, resulting in a second-place finish.

When they return, Arthur collapses and a veterinarian discovers he is suffering from a severe parasitic infection. The vet advises that to spare him further suffering, they should euthanize Arthur; however, Michael vehemently refuses this option. Instead, he manages to bring Arthur back to the USA, where the beloved dog receives the medical attention needed for a full recovery.

The film closes 18 months later with a poignant scene showing Michael and Arthur running together on a scenic ridge, symbolizing their unbreakable bond and the victory of love over adversity.