Chasing Prophecies Through Death and Despair

Read Time:4 Minute, 58 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
A Knight's War
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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Matthew Ninaber
Writer(s): Matthew Ninaber
Cast: Jeremy Ninaber, Kristen Kaster, Matthew Ninaber, Kristen MacCulloch, Sasha Ormond, Raechel Fisher, Ariel Gerard, Jeremy Dueck, Sadie Jantzi
Where to Watch: Available now, order here: www.epic-pictures.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: A world of determination and ancient prophecy opens the door to a brutal journey through sacrifice and survival. A KNIGHT’S WAR charges toward greatness with undeniable ambition, but somewhere along the blood-stained path, it stumbles under the weight of its own lofty goals. Though the spirit behind the project is strong, the execution wavers, leaving behind a fantasy tale that battles valiantly but never fully conquers its goals.

This dark fantasy adventure wastes no time establishing a grim tone, throwing its protagonist into a realm cursed by time, haunted by witches, and burdened by a prophecy that threatens the survival of everything he holds dear. It offers a potent blend of medieval action and supernatural horror, centered on the high-stakes mission to rescue a soul crucial to the kingdom’s fate. While the atmosphere feels steeped in danger and desperation, the story leans more into an introspective journey of endurance rather than the sweeping political battles many might expect.

Bhodie, played with resolve by Jeremy Ninaber, emerges as the battered heart of the story. His character is tied to a relentless cycle of death and resurrection, all thanks to a cursed talisman obtained in a desperate pact. As intriguing as this resurrection concept is, the film doesn’t push it far enough. The emotional toll of repeatedly dying is hinted at but rarely explored in depth. Watching Bhodie rise over and over should have provided a gradual unraveling of his spirit. Still, many encounters feel like a rinse-and-repeat exercise, losing dramatic tension over time.

Visually, A KNIGHT’S WAR punches well above its weight class. Fog-drenched swamps, decaying castles, and battle-worn armor create a setting that feels convincingly battered by centuries of conflict. The muted color palette, punctuated by the ominous glow of arcane magic, sets the tone effectively without becoming drab. Practical effects lend weight to the world’s physicality.

One of the film’s more unique strengths lies in its refusal to glamorize the violence. Sword fights are brutal, often stripped of any elegance in favor of sheer survivalist grit. Each clash of steel feels labored and desperate, reflecting a world where strength is measured less by skill and more by endurance. While some editing decisions sap momentum—lingering too long on sequences that could have benefited from sharper cuts—the commitment to keeping the action grounded pays off more often than not.

Yet for all the grim grandeur on display, character development lags. Bhodie’s stoic shell never cracks, even as the narrative piles sacrifice upon sacrifice. Moments that should deliver emotional gut-punches often pass quietly, missing opportunities to deepen the connection between character and audience. Kristen Kaster’s Avalon shows initial promise, carrying the scars of a dark past and a fierce independence. But as the story progresses, her character risks becoming more of a symbolic goal than an active force, a shift that diminishes the emotional stakes.

Themes of destiny, sacrifice, and moral compromise thread through the story, hinting at a greater philosophical undertone. The idea that saving Avalon might spell doom for countless others introduces a fascinating ethical dilemma, but the film mostly gestures at this conflict rather than wrestling with it. Had more time been spent digging into Bhodie’s internal battle—his growing fear that loyalty might demand betrayal—the film could have achieved a tragic resonance that feels only half-formed here.

What makes A KNIGHT’S WAR a curious watch is that even when it falters, the passion behind it is palpable. The ambition to craft a dark, mythic story is clear in every frame, even if the execution doesn’t always rise to meet it. The film feels like a sketch of something greater—a world rich in potential that needed a stronger emotional pull to leave its mark.

There’s a gritty heart beating at the center of this fantasy, one that’s easy to admire even when the journey feels repetitive or the emotional payoffs fall short. With a tighter focus, stronger character arcs, and a deeper commitment to its moral complexities, this could have stood shoulder to shoulder with bigger budget productions. As it stands, A KNIGHT’S WAR remains a flawed but earnest quest that fights hard to be remembered, even if it doesn’t always succeed.

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[photo courtesy of EPIC PICTURES, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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