George R.R. Martin has become synonymous with complex, dark fantasy featuring vivid characters and unexpected twists. After the phenomenal success of Game of Thrones, any adaptation of his works comes with sky-high expectations. That’s why In the Lost Lands was closely watched by both fans and critics alike.
The film seemed promising: a compelling source material, a big-budget production, a star-studded cast featuring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, and a director with experience in action-fantasy — Paul W.S. Anderson. However, once the film hit theaters, it was met with a wave of criticism. Instead of becoming the next great fantasy epic, it turned out to be a dull, uninspired, and hollow experience that disappoints more than it excites.
The Plot: Classic Martin or Just an Empty Shell?
In the Lost Lands is an adaptation of a short story by Martin that explores themes of power, the cost of desires, and moral choices. The story takes place in a world that has suffered a catastrophe. The last city of humanity is ruled by the church and a supreme leader, while beyond its walls lies a dangerous land filled with monsters.
At the center of the story is Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich), a witch tasked by the queen to retrieve a werewolf’s pelt that grants the ability to change one’s form. To navigate the deadly terrain, she hires a guide, the skilled warrior Boyce (Dave Bautista). Together, they embark on a perilous journey filled with traps, creatures, and philosophical dilemmas.
On paper, the story sounds promising, but on screen, it turns into a disjointed collection of scenes with weak connections and none of the depth of the original tale. The core idea about the price of desires gets lost amidst cheap visual effects and uninspired dialogue.
Problems with the Film
Dull Visuals
One of the film’s biggest failures is its visuals. The Lost Lands should have been atmospheric and eerie, yet it looks like another generic post-apocalyptic landscape drenched in gray and brown tones. Even the grandest scenes suffer from monotony and a lack of detail.
A Soulless Script
Martin’s original short story is a grim yet mesmerizing fable about the nature of desires and the cost of achieving them. In the film, this philosophical depth is buried under shallow dialogue and disconnected sequences. Characters don’t act based on their established personalities but rather because the script demands it.
Weak Characters
Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista are undoubtedly charismatic actors, but their characters feel underdeveloped. Jovovich’s portrayal of the cold and enigmatic witch lacks the depth needed to make her truly compelling. Bautista, who could have infused the film with his unique charisma, is given too little to work with. The only character with real energy is the warrior Ash, played by Arly Jover, but her screen time is disappointingly short.
Editing and Directing Issues
Paul W.S. Anderson is known for crafting flashy but often shallow action films. Here, his signature style works against the movie. The editing is choppy, scenes lack fluidity, and some moments feel outright unfinished. On top of that, dialogue doesn’t always sync with the actors’ lip movements, giving the impression of sloppy dubbing even in the original language.
A Failed Attempt to Replicate Game of Thrones
The filmmakers clearly aimed to create something in the vein of Game of Thrones — dark, brutal, and filled with political intrigue. However, where the HBO series captivated audiences with complex characters and rich world-building, In the Lost Lands offers only a collection of clichés.
Is It Worth Watching?
If you were expecting a grand fantasy epic with deep storytelling and thrilling battles, unfortunately, this is not the film for you. It lacks a well-structured plot, visual appeal, and memorable characters. Fans of Jovovich and Bautista might enjoy seeing them on screen together, but even they would be better off waiting for the digital release.
So, instead of the next Game of Thrones, what we have here is one of the first major flops of 2025.
