A Knight’s War: Dark, Spellbinding Fantasy
Battles of good and evil are as old as storytelling itself. Light against dark, the hero takes on the villain, truly a tale as old as time. Over the years, as the fantasy genre has grown and evolved, there’s become room for fresh takes and new worlds among the epics of Tolkien, Sanderson, and so many others. A Knight’s War is one such story, blending classic fantasy motifs and adding a dark, unique edge that’s visually gripping.
“Even in the darkest moment, there is hope.”
Bhodie (Jeremy Ninaber) and his brother William (writer-director-producer Matthew Ninaber) are two knights on a journey to stop a cult who are sacrificing themselves to open a gateway to hell. There is a prophecy at stake, and today is the day it is to be fulfilled so the world may be forever changed. They attempt to save their prospective sacrifice, Avalon (Kristen Kaster), but the only way is to follow her and the demon who took her through the gateway to the realm of the Gods, and the toll is hefty. Can Bhodie find her? Will they be able to return? Will the prophecy come to fruition?
Where A Knight’s War really shines is in its production. Every costume is eye-catching, most notably the witches’ outfits and the knights’ armor . The dark forests, tinged with fog, and dark castles, and other sets perfectly capture the film’s dark fantasy aesthetic which is bolstered by Sean Croley’s score. Matthew Ninaber deftly directs cinematographer Brent Tremain’s dynamic camera work. Together, along with the magic of the visual and special effects teams, this film feels a great deal larger than the cast and crew size would have you believe. There’s fire, there’s blood, there’s sword fights and demons. Everything a good fantasy story needs.
Jeremy Ninaber and Kristen Kaster fit the look and vibe of their characters quite well, he the brave knight and she the fierce warrior with a dark past. Both are further enhanced by a supporting cast giving 110%, including Matthew Ninaber, Shane Nicely as the Keeper, and the powerful, horrifying, blood-drinking witches. Matthew Ninaber’s script hits the right beats of sword and sorcery meets horror, and every time the story starts to meander, there’s another burst of action to bring it back to life. It’s a story of good and evil, a battle between the dark and light, and fulfilling one’s destiny at the risk of betrayal. By deciding to not build a vast, sweeping world such as Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, A Knight’s War is a less intimidating foray into a fresh fantasy world.
A Knight’s War: Take a Stab at It
A Knight’s War is an ambitious piece of fantasy that looks beautiful for its budget. Where the plot might waver, it’s made up for by its action, its ambiance, and its costumes and effects. Fans of horror and fantasy will find this worth the watch, and if you’re looking for something dark, magical, and a little gory, give this a shot.
A Knight’s War is now available via VOD.
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