A new film adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s work, starring Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich, has set an unfortunate record with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While Martin’s most recognized adaptation remains HBO’s Game of Thrones, which became a cultural phenomenon and won 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, his latest big-screen venture, In the Lost Lands, is struggling to find favor with audiences and critics alike.
A New Low for a George R.R. Martin Adaptation
Several of Martin’s works have made their way to the screen, including House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, which has been a hit since its 2022 premiere and already secured a third season ahead of its 2024 return. His sci-fi horror novella Nightflyers has also been adapted twice—once as a 1987 movie and again as a 2018 Syfy TV series. However, none of these adaptations have received as poor a reception as In the Lost Lands.
Harsh Reviews for In the Lost Lands
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, In the Lost Lands follows the witch Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich) and hunter Boyce (Dave Bautista) as they journey through the mythical Lost Lands to retrieve the gift of lycanthropy for a queen. Unfortunately, the film debuted to a brutal 18% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audience reviews not faring much better.
Screen Rant’s Alex Harrison gave the film a 2/10, stating:
“Boyce’s emotional arc is as muddled as Alys’, especially by the end. In the Lost Lands goes for some last-act reveals (in the same rapid-fire succession of all its storytelling) that land as truly nonsensical. An ending like that, after everything that came before, leaves me with only one recommendation: don’t waste your time.”
With over 100 verified audience reviews, the Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter sits at just 51%, making it the lowest-rated Martin adaptation among audiences.
How In the Lost Lands Compares to Other Martin Adaptations
Not only is In the Lost Lands Martin’s lowest-rated film adaptation, but it is also one of only two projects based on his works to receive a Rotten audience score. The other, Nightflyers (2018), holds a slightly higher 55% rating. Other Martin adaptations have fared significantly better:
- House of the Dragon – 78%
- Game of Thrones – 85%
- Dark Winds (produced by Martin, but not based on his work) – 70%
This significant drop raises concerns about how future adaptations of Martin’s lesser-known works may be received.
Box Office Failure and Audience Backlash
In the Lost Lands is not only failing critically but also struggling at the box office. Opening to just $1 million on its debut weekend, the film failed to crack the top 10, losing to Mickey 17 and even older films like Mufasa: The Lion King and Anora. With an estimated $55 million budget, this poor performance signals a major flop.
What This Means for Future George R.R. Martin Adaptations
While upcoming projects like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon Season 3 are expected to succeed due to their connection to the Game of Thrones universe, In the Lost Lands might damage the reputation of Martin’s non-Thrones works.
Interestingly, Game of Thrones itself suffered audience backlash in its final season, earning a 30% audience score for Season 8—lower than In the Lost Lands. However, unlike In the Lost Lands, the Game of Thrones finale was still widely watched, proving that brand recognition plays a critical role in success.
As In the Lost Lands continues its brief theatrical run, it remains to be seen whether it will fade into obscurity or become a cautionary tale for future Martin adaptations. Either way, it’s clear that not every story from the acclaimed fantasy writer is destined for the same success as Game of Thrones.
