What is the plot?

A scarred man named Boyce stands before the camera and warns the audience that what follows is not a fairy tale and that happy endings do not exist in the Lost Lands. The landscape around him is a ruined, lawless expanse where survivors bow to the rule of the Overlord while the Church enforces order with brutal authority. The film cuts to a public execution: Gray Alys, a witch wrapped in a coarse robe, is hoisted up to be hanged by The Enforcer and a ring of Church acolytes. As the executioner prepares the noose, Gray reaches into the minds of one of her captors, bending his perception until he fumbles and loosens her bonds. The Enforcer reacts with cold violence; she draws a blade and kills the man who aided Gray, then orders her followers to pursue the escaped witch. Gray uses her power to slip free and runs into the wasteland.

The story shifts to Boyce unscarred and traveling alone through a narrow, rubble-strewn tunnel. He senses ambushers before they spring and produces a two-headed snake as a weapon, throwing it so that one head bites a would-be attacker while Boyce simultaneously fires into the others with his pistols. After dispatching the band, he walks on into the harsh light of the Lost Lands.

Gray seeks shelter with an elderly blind witch living in a ruin. While she tends her wounds and collects her thoughts, the Queen--wife of the ailing Overlord--arrives with Jerais, the head of the Overwatch. The Queen invokes a longstanding obligation: she commands Gray to find and slay a shapeshifter known as Sardor, the Grey Wolf, before the next full moon so the Queen can claim the beast's power. Jerais pulls Gray aside once the Queen departs and tells her quietly that he believes the mission should fail; he wants Gray to sabotage the hunt, convinced that thwarting the plan will better serve the Queen and the fragile balance of power. Gray agrees to consider both requests, and then reaches into the mind of the shapeshifter to glimpse the creature's memories.

Gray's search brings her to a pub where she finds Boyce. The two have history: Boyce was once the Queen's secret lover and, unbeknownst to most, the father of the child the Queen carries. Gray asks Boyce to accompany her on the hunt, and he reveals he knows Sardor's territory. While preparations proceed in the shadows, The Enforcer reports to the Patriarch, a high-ranking Church official who serves the Overlord but plots an overthrow of both the ruler and his consort. The Patriarch orders The Enforcer and her acolytes to capture Gray and Boyce, extract any confession of her witchcraft, and execute them to prevent unrest and to advance his own designs.

Boyce and Gray start across the Lost Lands and meet two of Boyce's old comrades, Ross and Mara, in a ruined settlement. Boyce and Mara rekindle an intimacy that leads to sex before Boyce and Gray press on. The Enforcer's men track the party, storm the settlement, drag Ross and Mara from their hiding place, and torture them for information. Under brutal duress Mara reveals Boyce and Gray are heading for Skull River. The Church thugs execute Ross by stabbing and leave his body as a warning, then seize Mara and bind her for transport.

Pursuing leads, Gray and Boyce discover the body of Cyrus, another of Boyce's friends, hanging from a tree--an obvious execution ordered by the Church to intimidate dissenters. As they follow footprints deeper into the waste, they come upon The Enforcer and her band. Anticipating Gray's ability to control vision, every acolyte has blindfolded himself; they have deprived themselves of sight so they cannot be infiltrated by her magic. The Enforcer revels in psychological torment: she shoots Mara in the head in front of Boyce, an execution meant to punish and to shatter him. Fury and grief drive Boyce and Gray into a firefight with the Church patrol. The gun battle moves onto a high, damaged air tram line. During the chase several of the acolytes are flung from the tram when Boyce and Gray fight them hand-to-hand and shoot the harnesses, sending their bodies crashing to the ground far below. As the tram careens, The Enforcer orders the cable to be severed. Gray teeters at the tram's edge as its platform begins to give way; Boyce lunges and hauls her back, but the Enforcer fires and shrapnel or a bullet grazes Boyce's arm, leaving him wounded. Gray concentrates through the lens of a distant sniper rifle to reach the shooter's mind, manipulating the bullet's path enough to pull Boyce free and then slipping away into the wastes.

As they move out of the tram's wreckage, Gray and Boyce enter a forest of twisted, tree-like monsters. The creatures surround the pair and threaten to tear them apart. Gray calls up an illusion, convincing the leader of the treelike beings that fire is ripping through them; the creatures panic and burn themselves. Gray warns Boyce aloud that her magic is dangerous and that she cannot be fully trusted; her words contain both a confession and a cold calculation.

Meanwhile, power shifts in the stronghold of the Overlord. The Overlord lies weakened by age and illness. The Queen, who has long resented her husband's tyranny and who declares that she carries Boyce's child, confronts the Overlord in private. She smothers him to death with her bare hands, ending his rule. The Patriarch publicly announces the Overlord's demise but continues his own scheme to eliminate the Queen. He conspires with The Enforcer to remove any obstacles--Gray and Boyce among them--so he can seize authority.

The Enforcer pursues Gray and Boyce onto a derailed train that runs along the edge of a collapsed viaduct. The train's path traces high above a shattered canyon where the tracks have been blasted away. The Enforcer's squad gives chase across the cars as Gray runs toward the open sky at the line's end. Boyce fights his way through men on the tender, reaching Gray just as she teeters above a precipice. He catches her and pulls her back to solid footing; the train, caught on a broken segment, breaks loose and plunges from the rails. The cars explode in a ball of flame and metal as they fall. Everyone aboard The Enforcer's contingent dies in the plunge and subsequent detonation. In the immediate aftermath, Jerais acts on his pledge to protect the Queen: he confronts the Patriarch and kills him to prevent the Churchman from moving against her. Jerais then turns his political victory into a private embrace and begins an affair with the Queen, aligning himself openly with her seat of power.

As the full moon approaches, Gray and Boyce follow the trail to Skull River, a bleak river gorge surrounded by skeletal cliffs. Gray reveals what she has already known: Sardor does not exist as a separate beast. In the light that crescendos over Skull River, Boyce changes. Under the moon Boyce transforms into a wolf, fur dark as stormwater and eyes burning with the old feral hunger. Gray draws a set of claws forged of silver and fights him through a close, brutal struggle amid bent rock and river mist. She wounds him with slashes of silver, slowing his metamorphosis, and incapacitates him at the bank's edge. When Boyce returns to human form and wakes, Gray tells him plainly that she always knew he was the shapeshifter. Before the moon left its apex she had dosed his blood with silver, weakening his bones and binding his change. As the moon slides back into its fullness and Boyce begins to contort and howl once more, Gray moves with decisive violence: she kills him--how she deals the fatal blows is exacting and methodical, ensuring death even during the monstrous transformation--and then strips the skin from his dead body. After she skins him she digs beneath the loam by a lone tree and buries the remains, covering the grave with soil and river pebbles.

Gray carries Boyce's pelt to the Queen as proof that she has completed the task--or so she appears to do. In the throne hall the Queen learns what Gray delivers and, stunned, lashes out at Jerais when she realizes he knew of Boyce's condition. In rage the Queen drives a blade into Jerais's throat, killing him where he falls. The Queen's confession--that Boyce is the father of her unborn child, and that she had wanted the shapeshifter's power for herself--unspools against the collapse of the old order. With the Overlord dead and the Patriarch eliminated, the Church's control crumbles and ordinary people rise. Outside the palace walls the people of the Lost Lands ignite a rebellion: they torch Church banners, topple grim statues, and swarm the streets to pull down the structures of oppression. The Queen tries to flee amid the chaos as citizens descend on the palace. Gray stands apart, watching Boyce's pelt spread out in the sun; the fur fries near open flames as the populace vents decades of rage on the symbols of rule.

At the burial site, something stirs. The earth beneath Boyce's grave shifts and trembles, and the mound rises as if a fist pushes up from below. Boyce returns from death. He walks through the ruins toward Gray with intent to find and kill her for ending his life, or perhaps compelled by a different hunger: resurrected, he is not the man he was. He reaches Gray in the place where she had first hidden away after his grave was disturbed. When he confronts her, Gray does not flinch; she says she expected his return, just as she expected the insurrection that toppled the Overlord and the Church. The two men who had once loved and betrayed, and the witch who had bound their fates, accept the new alliance without ceremony. Boyce nods and takes up a rifle while Gray collects her charms. The last images fix on the pair setting out from the graveside and moving into the wide, ruined expanse of the Lost Lands together. They walk away from the burning banners and the shattered palace, side by side, hunting and surviving as they travel into an uncertain future. The scene closes on the two figures receding into the distance, their forms swallowed by dust and horizon.

What is the ending?

Short Narrative Ending: In the movie "In the Lost Lands" (2025), the sorceress Gray Alys and her guide Boyce navigate the treacherous Lost Lands to find a magical power. They face numerous challenges, including encounters with dark creatures and human enemies. After a series of intense battles and chases, they manage to outwit their adversaries and escape deadly situations. However, the specific details of the ending, such as the outcome of their quest or the fate of the characters, are not detailed in the available information.

Expanded Narrative Ending: Since the exact ending of "In the Lost Lands" (2025) is not fully detailed in the search results, I will describe the narrative leading up to the climax and hypothesize the likely direction of the ending based on the plot and themes presented.

Journey into the Lost Lands

The story begins with a queen dispatching Gray Alys, a powerful sorceress, and Boyce, a skilled hunter, to the mystical and dangerous Lost Lands. Their mission is to uncover a magical power that allows transformation into a werewolf, a quest that could fulfill the queen's desire for happiness in love. However, this journey is fraught with peril, as they must confront both demons and human adversaries.

Encounters and Challenges

As Gray Alys and Boyce venture deeper into the Lost Lands, they encounter various characters, including old friends and foes. Boyce reconnects with his friends Ross and Mara, but this reunion is short-lived due to the interference of The Enforcer, who serves The Patriarch. The Patriarch is plotting to overthrow both the Overlord and the Queen, complicating the landscape of alliances and rivalries.

The Enforcer's Pursuit

The Enforcer captures and tortures Ross and Mara to obtain information about Gray Alys and Boyce. In a tragic turn, Ross is killed, and Mara is kidnapped. Boyce and Gray Alys track down The Enforcer, leading to intense confrontations. During one such encounter, The Enforcer kills Mara to further torment Boyce, igniting a fierce battle.

The Final Confrontations

The confrontation culminates in a gunfight and a chase to an air tram. Gray Alys uses her magical powers to save Boyce from falling when The Enforcer orders the cable cut. Later, Boyce is shot by The Enforcer, but Gray Alys manages to save him using her powers through a sniper lens. This act not only showcases her strength but also highlights her connection with Boyce.

Hypothetical Conclusion

While the exact ending is not detailed, it is likely that Gray Alys and Boyce successfully navigate the Lost Lands, possibly finding the magical power they seek. Their journey would have been marked by hardship, loss, and the deepening of their relationship, as they face both internal and external challenges. The conclusion may also explore the consequences of their quest, particularly the implications of the magical power and the queen's wishes. Additionally, the fate of The Patriarch's rebellion and the future of the kingdom could be addressed, providing a richer tapestry for the story's resolution.

Who dies?

Yes, several characters die in the 2025 movie "In the Lost Lands." Here are the key deaths and their circumstances:

  • Ross: He is captured and tortured by The Enforcer as part of his effort to find Gray Alys and Boyce. Subsequently, Ross is murdered by The Enforcer's group after their interrogation fails to yield the needed information.

  • Mara: She is kidnapped alongside Ross but survives initially. However, The Enforcer kills Mara to torment Boyce further.

  • Cyrus: Boyce and Gray Alys search for him but discover that he has been hanged by the Church, indicating a prior execution.

  • Boyce: During a confrontation with The Enforcer and his goons, Boyce is shot by The Enforcer. Although he is critically wounded, Gray Alys uses her powers through a sniper lens to save him and enable their escape.

These deaths occur amid the group's dangerous expedition into the Lost Lands, involving torture, kidnapping, and violent confrontations with The Enforcer and his forces, who are aligned with a shadowy Patriarch plotting power moves within the realm.

Is there a post-credit scene?

There is no post-credits scene in the 2025 movie "In the Lost Lands." The film, adapted from a short story by George R.R. Martin and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, presents a self-contained narrative without any extra scenes after the credits roll.

What is the nature and significance of the shapeshifter Sardor in the story?

Sardor, meaning 'Grey Wolf,' is a shapeshifter whose power is highly sought after by the Queen. Gray Alys and Boyce are sent to find Sardor in the Lost Lands because the Queen desires the magical gift of turning into a werewolf, which Sardor embodies. The shapeshifter's abilities are central to the Queen's plans and the conflict driving the plot.

What is the relationship between Gray Alys and Boyce during their expedition?

Gray Alys, a powerful witch, enlists Boyce, a drifter and hunter, as her guide through the Lost Lands. During their journey, Boyce reconnects with old friends and has a brief sexual encounter with Mara before continuing with Gray Alys. Their partnership is marked by mutual reliance as they face enemies and dangers together.

Who are the main antagonists pursuing Gray Alys and Boyce, and what are their motives?

The Enforcer and the Patriarch serve as primary antagonists. The Patriarch secretly plots to overthrow the Overlord and the Queen, while the Enforcer works under his orders to capture Gray Alys, extract a confession, and execute her. They also capture and torture Boyce's friends to gain information, showing their ruthless pursuit.

What role does the Queen play in the story, and what are her motivations?

The Queen is a key figure who despises the ailing Overlord and seeks to gain the power of the shapeshifter to transform into a werewolf. She commissions Gray Alys to find this power in the Lost Lands, motivated by a desire for control and possibly personal happiness, as she is involved secretly with Boyce.

What are the key events during the confrontation between Gray Alys, Boyce, and the Enforcer?

Gray Alys and Boyce locate the Enforcer and her goons, who shield their eyes to block Alys' powers. The Enforcer kills Mara to torment Boyce, leading to a gunfight and chase to an air tram. Most of the goons are thrown to their deaths, but the Enforcer orders the cable cut and shoots Boyce. Gray Alys uses her powers through a sniper lens to save him and escape.

Is this family friendly?

No, In the Lost Lands (2025) is not family friendly, as it carries an R rating for violence, making it unsuitable for children or sensitive viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting elements include: - Graphic violence such as throats slashed, necks snapped, people hung by the neck, and blood splattering from attacks. - A werewolf assaulting people with claws and razor-sharp teeth. - A large rotting creature having its eyes plucked out by a bird, a bullet dug from an open shoulder wound, and the wound being stitched. - An invalid being smothered to death. - Gunshots to the forehead, oppressive church-like figures, witchy illusions, enslaved human hordes, crumbling post-apocalyptic landscapes, and skeletal undead elements.

Does the dog die?

No, no dog dies in the movie In the Lost Lands (2025).