Fantasy movie fans might have missedThe Green Knight, a recent underrated entry in the genre that is also one of its best of the last five years. Thebest fantasy moviesuse the boundless opportunities of the genre to create spellbinding, epic, and memorable stories. However, it is not always easy to get audiences to pay attention to original stories in the genre.
There are somefantasy movies that fans never get tired of watchingthat have come to define the genre. There are also those massive fantasy franchises, liketheLord of the Ringsmovies, that will always draw an audience. However, people should also be paying attention to some of the small titles that go unnoticed.
One such movie came to great acclaim in 2021, only to be forgotten shortly after. However, as a perfect example of the kind of complex, visually stunning, and ambitious fantasy movies that can be made, it is a movie that fantasy fans should be watching.
The Green Knight Is Arguably The Best Fantasy Movie Of The 2020s So Far
The Complex Fantasy Movie Challenged The Genre
The Green Knightis abrilliant recent fantasy moviethat proves there are still bold projects being made in the genre. While not part of a popular fantasy franchise, it takes inspiration from one of the oldest fantasy stories ever told.It follows young Gawain (Dev Patel) as he tries to prove himself a true knight.
The movie walks a fine line between avoiding the typical fantasy tropes while also infusing the story with a mythic grandeur, including giants and spirits.
Gawain is part of King Arthur’s court and is present when a mysterious Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) arrives to challenge the knights. Gawain takes up the challenge, only to lose. The price he pays is that, in one year, he must meet the Green Knight again, where the mysterious figure will get his own chance to behead Gawain.
The Green Knight’s cast also includes Alicia Vikander, Barry Keoghan, Joel Edgerton, and Erin Kellyman.
What follows is an epic and beautiful journey as Gawain heads towards this faithful meeting, filled with complex themes and stunning visuals from director David Lowery. The movie walks a fine line between avoiding thetypical fantasy tropeswhile also infusing the story with a mythic grandeur, including giants and spirits.
However, within this dream-like world that Lowery creates, the movie explores relatable themes of honor and mortality. That is really what makesThe Green Knightsuch an effective fantasy movie. It achieves something many fantasy movies forget to consider, which is finding a human story at the center of the fantastical world.
Why The Green Knight Wasn’t A Hit With Audiences
The Green Knight Wasn’t What Fantasy Fans Were Expecting
The Green Knightwas well-received when it was released in 2021, earning 89% onRotten Tomatoes. However, it was not a hit with audiences, as it grossed only $18 million at the box office (viaBox Office Mojo).The reviews were also not enough to keep it in the pop culture conversation for long, as it has been largely ignored since its release.
The dismissal ofThe Green Knightis a reminder of the difficulty in trying something new and bold with the fantasy genre. When thinking of thedefining fantasy moviesthat fans love, there is a certain expectation of what comes with the genre. Stories of knights, mythical beings, and adventures are meant to have a crowd-pleasing element.
Some have dismissedThe Green Knightas an “art-house” fantasy movie. However, it is just a new approach that is looking to entertain audiences in a new way. It is a rich story that challenges viewers beyond simply wowing them with blockbuster fantasy. The ambiguous ending cemented how not everyone would leaveThe Green Knightsatisfied.
It is also dismaying to see great movies fail to find their audiences. Regardless of its reception, though,The Green Knightremains an inspiring look at how the fantasy genre can be challenged, and it will remain here for more people to discover over time.
