Thrones of Illusion
- Tagline
- In a realm of shadows, the truest power lies in the light of courage.
- Description
- In an alternate history steeped in the traditions of European mythology, 'Thrones of Illusion' follows the cynical yet inspiring journey of a displaced royal lineage fighting to reclaim their kingdom from the clutches of dark forces. As the young prince, portrayed by Albacore Guinness, struggles to understand the weight of his birthright, he is protected by a fiercely loyal bodyguard, a role embodied by Tim Broth. Meanwhile, James Mâché-son brings to life a mysterious guardian whose wisdom and unorthodox methods shape the prince into a leader worthy of his crown. Directed by the visionary Kathryn Bigeowl, this tale of struggle and overcoming challenges the notion that power and nobility come from titles, suggesting instead that true strength is forged in the face of adversity.
- MpaaRating
- G
- PopularityScore
- 8.00
- ReleaseDate
- 10/12/2023
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
4.50
Ah, 'Thrones of Illusion,' a title that aptly reflects the film's attempt to weave a spell of significance around a narrative that's as thinly-veiled as the ghosts of originality haunting its plot. The film parades a tagline that promises depth with 'In a realm of shadows, the truest power lies in the light of courage,' yet delivers a light so dim, you'd think it was a flickering candle in a windstorm. In this alternate history—an overused sandbox for writers running out of ideas—we find Albacore Guinness's prince as bland as his fishy namesake, floundering through a series of predictable 'challenges' that could only surprise a toddler at peekaboo. Tim Broth's bodyguard is as 'fiercely loyal' as a cardboard cutout, steadfastly two-dimensional in both character and performance. As for James Mâché-son, the 'mysterious guardian'—let's just say the only mystery is how he keeps a straight face delivering lines that read like they were plucked from a fortune cookie. Kathryn Bigeowl, once a visionary, now seems to have her telescope pointed squarely at the past, rehashing tropes that feel as ancient as the mythology she draws from. It's rated G for 'Goodness, is it over yet?' and challenges the notion that I still have the will to sit through these pseudo-epic fantasies. 'Thrones of Illusion' is indeed a realm of shadows, where the light of creativity is snuffed out by the darkness of mediocrity.