MOVIE NEWS – Season 8 of Game of Thrones is infamous for its disappointing finale, but George R.R. Martin’s latest screen adaptation manages to make that divisive ending look almost respectable. Hulu’s new film, In the Lost Lands, takes confusion and mediocrity to a new level—so if you thought the Thrones finale was rock bottom, think again. This is a cautionary tale for all who assumed the worst was behind us in the Martinverse.

Season 8 of Game of Thrones is still remembered as one of television’s greatest fiascos. The show was based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but with the books unfinished, showrunners were forced to make up the ending themselves – much to fans’ outrage. Of course, that controversial finale was only possible because earlier seasons were so universally acclaimed and beloved; at least, everyone was watching.

The same can’t really be said for the latest Martin adaptation, In the Lost Lands. The 2025 film version of Martin’s fantasy short story just landed on Hulu, and it’s already giving Game of Thrones’ ending a run for its money – in all the wrong ways.

What Is ‘In the Lost Lands’ About?

In the Lost Lands opens with a fourth wall break from our hero, Boyce (Dave Bautista), who informs us that things are bleak in this dystopian world, and the story won’t have a happy ending (though, somehow, it sort of does). Earth is now ruled by the Church and its evil Overlord, while rogues roam the wastelands, trying to escape the Overlord, his Queen, and their Enforcer.

One such rogue is a witch named Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich). After narrowly escaping hanging at the Enforcer’s hands, Gray Alys is hired by the Queen to hunt down a werewolf shapeshifter. She teams up with Boyce for the quest, and together they venture into the unknown, encountering monsters and bizarre twists at every turn. If that sounds confusing, it’s because it is. And it only gets stranger from there.

Why Was ‘In the Lost Lands’ Such a Flop?

Honestly, if you’re like me, you probably missed the fact that In the Lost Lands was even released. That’s saying something, considering every other Martin adaptation feels like a national event. And the film stars two marketable leads: Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich.

So what went wrong? The warning signs were everywhere. The movie had been in development since 2015, with multiple concepts and versions scrapped along the way. Finally, director Paul W.S. Anderson won out with a “post-apocalyptic western” vision. The shoot wrapped in just 46 days in 2023, followed by years in post-production limbo. At one point, it was even scheduled to release in the Megalopolis slot, but was delayed again for other priorities. When it finally hit theaters on March 7, 2025, it grossed only $6 million on a $55 million budget. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at 24% audience score and 47% from critics. Clearly, this wasn’t a Red Wedding moment.

Why did people hate it? Above all, In the Lost Lands just looks awful. It’s hard to explain how much of an eyesore it is—it doesn’t look like a 2025 release, more like something from 2002, or maybe a political rock band’s music video. The vibe is a bit Repo: The Genetic Opera, but without the fun of Martin’s other works. Weak world-building leaves you cold, and none of the characters are remotely engaging. The result is a boring viewing experience, something you could rarely say about Game of Thrones. Not even America’s sweetheart Dave Bautista could save this aggressively mediocre film—but if you don’t believe me, check it out on Hulu.

Source: MovieWeb