What to Make of the New Adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s Work Starring Milla Jovovich
This week, the long-awaited adaptation of "In the Lost Lands," a tale by George R. R. Martin, the mastermind behind Game of Thrones, hit theaters. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, the film stars his perennial muse and wife, Milla Jovovich, in a role that feels both familiar and fitting. Sharing the screen with the Hollywood star of Ukrainian descent is Dave Bautista. The result? A solid, popcorn-worthy fantasy romp. Our team has seen the experiment unfold and is here to break it down.
What "In the Lost Lands" (2025) with Milla Jovovich Is All About
The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic realm of the future. It kicks off with the gravelly narration of Boyce (Dave Bautista), a wandering mercenary and body-hunter, who muses on witches, magic, and the eternal tussle between good and evil.
Soon, we meet Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich), a witch navigating a dystopian world ruled by a domineering church and royal house. Having fled the kingdom, Gray Alys receives an unexpected visitor: the cunning Princess Melange (Amara Okereke), who craves the power of a beastly shapeshifter. Hot on the princess’s heels is Gray Alys’s lover, pleading with the witch to deny Melange’s request.
Here’s the catch: Gray Alys is bound to fulfill every plea directed her way, a compulsion that ignites a constant inner struggle between light and shadow within this fantastical being.
In essence, Gray Alys emerges as a defiant emblem of resistance against theocratic tyranny, daring to challenge the status quo at the risk of her very existence. The filmmakers lightly touch on the plight of oppressed peasants and the rift between throne and altar, treating these as backdrop rather than focal points.
For her perilous quest, Gray Alys enlists Boyce as her guide and protector across the treacherous Lost Lands, where she must track down a shapeshifter for the princess. Yet, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Gray Alys’s arsenal of magical prowess renders Boyce more of a companion than a necessity—her powers alone could carry the day.
The film dazzles with its striking costumes and the artistry of its production design. It’s an atmospheric fantasy that doesn’t aim for masterpiece status but will likely charm genre fans and casual viewers alike.
Don’t expect echoes of Game of Thrones in its pacing or style—fans of the series should set those hopes aside. Viewed as a standalone piece, however, it’s a respectable fantasy flick with faint whiffs of Resident Evil. And really, what else could you expect when Paul W. S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich join forces onscreen?
