Maybe it’s due to a way that we’re expendable elements within the nice capitalist machine, that the endlessly repeating demise trope has been more and more respawning in films – from Fringe of Tomorrow to Mickey 17 and now this Canadian sword’n’sorcery caper. With its sisyphean vibe and implacable temper, it additionally owes a good bit to the Darkish Souls video video games; although it’s not a masterpiece on that stage, it however has a grim self-conviction that grips regardless of its low-budget limitations.
Paladin Bhodie (Jeremy Ninaber) – who apparently requested the barber for the Gondor bob and beard trim – agrees to enter a cursed realm to rescue red-haired maiden Avalon (Kristen Kaster), who’s central to a humanity-saving prophecy. Needing to gather three magic stones to open up an exit portal, he makes a pact with the Keeper demon (Shane Properly) for a magic talisman that may resurrect him sufficient instances to beat the stones’ guardians. It seems Avalon – no slouch with the metal herself – has made the identical association, solely to die a number of deaths by the hands of the primary adversaries: a pair of bloodthirsty witches.
So that is Groundhog Day by means of Gary Gygax. Although writer-director Matthew Ninaber does produce just a few sparks of drollness because the pair fathom find out how to vanquish the harpies, he largely dungeon-masters this quest with unwavering seriousness. Everybody cleaves to fervent line-readings from the Drax the Destroyer irony-free appearing college, and there may be a lot smiting, flaying, lopping of limbs, and even a demonic waterboarding. Ninaber goes all-in on this Larp love-in, conjuring up ye olde vaporous dungeons and root-wracked towers on presumably little means.
Although undeniably atmospheric, it does wade into the Swamp of Turgidity as Bhodie and Avalon slog by the trials – in addition to some undisciplined appearing riper than an orc’s codpiece. However Avalon’s misandry and nihilism come more and more to the fore; providing emotional themes that rise above generic fantasy antics and which profit from Ninaber’s straight-faced remedy. The person is aware of his means across the fantasy style and, given a much bigger price range, might unearth greater treasures.
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