Following their futuristic dystopian nightmare of Arena Wars released earlier this year, indie film powerhouse Mahal Empire now takes their brand to the dark ages … in more ways than one. Brandishing the title Devil’s Knight, the team’s latest cinematic outing promises a Dungeons & Dragons-esque adventure through lands ruled by medieval kings and plagued by demonic monsters.
Opening with a band of thieves gathered around a campfire showcasing stolen valuables, Camus (Daniel Baldwin, Grimm TV series) handles a knife he claims he found. Seemingly indifferent to its worth, the outlaw throws the weapon, nearly piercing an approaching stranger’s only good eye. Catching the blade inches from his face, the stranger asks where Camus acquired this discarded treasure before introducing himself as Sigurd (John Wells, Arena Wars).
It’s odd that a band of degenerates, murderers, and thieves would immediately welcome an ominously cloaked stranger with food long after sunset. It’s equally peculiar that such a group would include women, elderly individuals, and a child. However, we don’t know the circumstances of these side characters and this film isn’t trying to be the director’s cut of Lord of the Rings, so I digress and see this opening scene for what it is: a spooky atmospheric setting perfect for a campfire story like the tale Sigurd begins to tell.
Setting the stage for Sigurd’s story and events leading to his missing eye, Devil’s Knight cuts to a hunting party of soldiers ordered by King Samuel (Kevin Hager, Bloodthirst 2023) to kill the Bone Devil. After his men are unceremoniously slaughtered by this creature terrorizing the countryside, Samuel summons Sigurd’s team of elite monster hunters known as The Lost Blades. Meanwhile, the king’s daughter, Princess Sabine (Sarah Nicklin, The Black Mass 2023), insists on proving her swordswoman skills, and his manipulative advisor Monsignor Mustela (Greg Tally, Bermuda Island 2023) plays with fire Game of Thrones style. There’s also drama in the royal family involving the king’s brother and a Disney’s Mulan scenario later on. Yes, there are numerous subplots, and a small army of characters are introduced in the first thirty minutes of screen-time.
Although The Lost Blades are an entertaining group of rough and tumble mercs, sometimes less is more. Focusing on fewer characters and more pertinent plot points could have gone a long way. Ironically, one moment of cinematic self-awareness shines through at the intro gang’s campfire as a character urges Sigurd to hit fast forward due to his hatred for exposition.
With so many characters fighting for screen time and a few fluff scenes missed in post-production editing, the plot development of Devil’s Knight nearly stagnates. However, an immense cast does provide for a high body count, and it is the creatures and carnage that drive this feature.
The Bone Devil is sure to capture the hearts of many creature feature lovers. A demoness, who could have used more screen-time and a subplot of her own, makes an alluring appearance. A rampaging reptilian cyclops adds a touch of campy humor. For the latter, picture an actor in a 1954 Godzilla suit—scaled to average human size—and a fight featuring Kevin Sorbo from the ’90s Hercules TV series. Yes, this happens. Yes, this is as amusing as it sounds.
As the action picks up and the special effects fly, Director Adam Werth (Bermuda Island 2023) and Team Mahal save this fantasy horror flick from meeting the same fate as Artax in The Neverending Story‘s Swamp of Sadness (sorry for drumming up that childhood trauma). If you have high expectations for intricate layered plot development with deep dramatic character arcs, you’ll likely leave disappointed. However, if you’re simply looking for a fantasy horror with some gnarly creature feature carnage intensified by jarring camerawork, Devil’s Knight is one to check out on a chilly fall night. Watch for a November release of this year.
