Nicolas Cage starred in a critically-panned fantasy film in 2011, but the underrated movie is actually a lot like an epic campaign from Dungeons & Dragons. Nic Cage is no stranger to starring in a cheesy movie or two, but the accomplished actor always turns in a strong performance no matter what film he’s headlining.
From his earliest days as a teen idol in movies like Valley Girl, to more mature work throughout the 1990s, Nicolas Cage’s films showcase the actor’s constant evolution. In the modern day, Cage has begun taking on a larger variety of roles than ever before, and he’s not afraid to poke fun at himself and his extensive filmography.
Because Cage will star in almost anything, the actor has appeared in his fair share of genre films. From horror to science fiction and everything in between, there isn’t a niche genre that Cage hasn’t been a part of yet. He has even starred in a few fantasy films, though they have rarely been popular with critics.
Fantasy as a genre has historically been hit or miss with film reviewers, and even celebrated classics got lackluster write-ups when they first debuted. Nicolas Cage’s most notorious fantasy film got abysmal reviews, but nearly 15 years after the fact, it deserves a second look.
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Season Of The Witch Is Almost Like A Dungeons & Dragons Movie
An Adventure Party Goes On An Epic Quest
2011’s Season of the Witch was completely reviled by critics when it premiered, but it has garnered a slightly better reputation in the years since. Cage is actually quite understated in the lead role as Behman, and the cast is stuffed with recognizable names like Ron Perlman and a young Claire Foy.
Director Dominic Sena had previously worked with Cage on Gone in 60 Seconds.
What makes the otherwise forgotten fantasy film such a great watch is that it is a lot like a campaign in Dungeons & Dragons. While it has no formal connection to the beloved TTRPG, Season of the Witch borrows a lot of the storytelling elements that are found in most campaigns.
There is an adventure party of disparate heroes who represent popular character classes like rogues and warriors, and they are sent on a dangerous quest. This helps to introduce the journey aspect to the story, which allows the characters to encounter plenty of enemies, pitfalls, and other mystical dangers.
Nicolas Cage’s 2011 Movies
Rotten Tomatoes
Box Office
Season of the Witch
11%
$91 million
Drive Angry
47%
$40 million
Seeking Justice
28%
$14 million
Trespass
9%
$10 million
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
18%
$132 million
Season Of The Witch Is Much Better Than Reviews Suggest
The Fantasy Epic Was Treated Way Too Harshly By Critics
An 11% score on Rotten Tomatoes is a shocking indictment, but Season of the Witch is quite a bit better than the critics’ reviews. Though it doesn’t reinvent fantasy epics, it’s a fun and sometimes creepy little movie with an interesting historical backdrop. The mix of real-life and fantasy adds a compelling element not seen in contemporary films.
The action is certainly lackluster, but the adventure aspects make up for the lack of overall spectacle
Claire Foy showed that she had star potential, and even Nicolas Cage is surprisingly subdued. The action is certainly lackluster, but the adventure aspects make up for the lack of overall spectacle. Films from 2011 were becoming increasingly bombastic and absurd, but Season of the Witch is a restrained hidden gem that fits perfectly with other frightening fantasy films.
