'In the Lost Lands' Review: A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure with Bold Visuals but Shallow Plot

In a post-apocalyptic world, place names tell the story, and Paul W.S. Anderson’s In the Lost Lands drives this concept home. The film’s settings are often named for what they truly represent, offering a stark glimpse into the world’s decayed state. For instance, the Lost Lands are a vast wasteland filled with desolation and danger. "Skull River" is predictably populated by thousands of skulls, and "City Under the Mountain" and "Fire Fields" leave little to the imagination in terms of their hazardous environments. The film’s world is one where even basic colors seem to have faded, casting everything in dark, grim hues.

'In the Lost Lands.'

Courtesy of Vertical

Opening with a familiar apocalyptic warning — "The world you know is gone" — the movie embraces the tried-and-true dystopian theme. However, the announcement feels more like a public service message than an engaging narrative hook. Based on a short story by George R.R. Martin, the film begins with a gritty narration from Boyce, portrayed by Dave Bautista. His performance channels the style of a Sergio Leone Western, setting the tone for a journey into this desolate world.

At the heart of the plot is Gray Alys, a witch played by Milla Jovovich, who is immediately thrust into peril when a religious cult led by the Patriarch (Fraser James) seeks to hang her. But the task proves more complicated than expected, with the witch proving a difficult target.

The storyline unfolds when the Queen (Amara Okereke) requests Gray Alys’ help to venture into the Lost Lands to acquire the power of shape-shifting, which would allow her to be with her werewolf lover. Meanwhile, the Queen’s secret admirer, Jerais (Simon Loof), secretly hopes Gray Alys will fail. Despite conflicting orders, Gray Alys agrees to undertake the perilous mission, showing the unpredictability that often defines witchcraft.

"I’ll need until the full moon," she tells the Queen, cleverly avoiding committing to a precise timeframe.

Gray Alys enlists Boyce as her guide, and their journey into the Lost Lands is fraught with peril. Along the way, they face dangers from both monstrous creatures and Ash (Arly Jover), the Queen's enforcer. Boyce, a man of few words, wields his trusty firearm and also harbors an unusual attachment to a two-headed snake, which meets an untimely fate. His emotional reaction to its death is curious, prompting Gray Alys to remark, "I never saw a man get emotional about a snake before." Boyce’s reply, "I’m not emotional. Damn good snake, that’s all," adds to the film’s blunt, no-frills dialogue.

While Anderson showcases his signature post-apocalyptic style with a blend of real-world and CGI environments, the film’s plot struggles to keep pace. The action sequences, particularly a thrilling gunfight aboard a cable car suspended over a ruined city, stand out as some of the film's strongest moments. Yet, as the story progresses, an overwhelming number of twists and revelations threaten to bog down the narrative.

Unfortunately, the chemistry between Jovovich and Bautista feels underdeveloped. While Jovovich reverts to her familiar tough-girl persona, Bautista fails to bring out the charisma necessary for their dynamic to click. Unlike many of Anderson’s previous films, In the Lost Lands is not based on a video game, though its tone often feels like one — just one that would be tedious to play.

For fans of Anderson’s distinct visual style, In the Lost Lands offers a familiar experience. However, those looking for a more engaging plot and deeper character connections may find the post-apocalyptic fantasy lacking in substance.