IN THE LOST LANDS (2025) – A Nostalgic but Forgettable Fantasy Adventure

Set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world, where human civilization is governed by kings and queens and populated by witches and dangerous creatures, In The Lost Lands centers on two captivating protagonists. Gray Alys is a witch with the power to grant wishes for a price, and Boyce is a drifter who can seemingly outfight any man or beast. Together, they form an unlikely alliance to capture a werewolf and steal its shape-shifting powers to fulfill a wish for the queen.

Milla Jovovich reunites with her husband, Director Paul W.S. Anderson, in this new fantasy adventure, hoping to reignite the success of their collaboration from the Resident Evil franchise. She is well-paired with Dave Bautista, who plays Boyce. Bautista has proven his versatility in multiple roles and here returns to the action genre that made him famous. Credit should be given to both stars for making this film enjoyable despite the cartoonish script and outlandish plot. The extremity of the absurdity actually comes across as entertaining and fun, invoking a nostalgic reminder of how fantasy adventures used to be before the age of superhero movies.

While In The Lost Lands benefits from the strong presence of Jovovich and Bautista, it suffers from a weak villain. At no point did the adversaries feel like they had the upper hand in any confrontations, making these scenes feel like visual entertainment with predictable outcomes for the bad guys. In fate they reminded me of what video games look like. Ironically, unlike the Resident Evil series, this film is not adapted from a video game; rather, it is based on a short story by George R.R. Martin, renowned for the Game of Thrones novels. The film’s fairy tale-like final act’s multiple twists provide a darkly twisted, happily-ever-after ending that, while not unexpected, is delightfully amusing.

In The Lost Lands is a mindless piece of nostalgic fun, but ultimately a forgettable ride. Despite the entertaining performances from its stars, it is not something we would rush to revisit anytime soon, unless it surprisingly makes hundreds of millions at the box office—which it didn’t. This film serves as a reminder of the fantastical adventures of the past, albeit without leaving a lasting impact. It is evident that Jovovich and Anderson hope to establish a new franchise, but given the overcrowded landscape of similar ventures, this may not be the best idea.