Shadow and Bone
2021
Original language: English
- drama
- sci-fi & fantasy
The story
In a world cleaved in two by a massive barrier of perpetual darkness, a young soldier uncovers a power that might finally unite her country. But as she struggles to hone her power, dangerous forces plot against her. Thugs, thieves, assassins and saints are at war now, and it will take more than magic to survive.
What it’s like
Sweeping fantasy vistas with saturated, painterly color: lush green forests and gilded palace halls set against a grey, ash-smudged wasteland, with the Shadow Fold rendered as a black, churning mass that swallows light. Visual effects are bold and glossy, and the camera moves with busy, kinetic energy during battles and chases, while quieter scenes lean on warm candlelit interiors and close, sustained faces. The score swells with orchestral drama and taut percussion, and the sound design gives magic a crackle and whoosh. The vibe is adventurous and romantic, a little brooding, with a steady pulse of danger. It suits a weekend binge, a comfort rewatch for fantasy fans, or a streaming night with friends. Pacing is brisk, with episodes that end on reveals and betrayals, and the emotional center is a young woman learning to trust her strength and form uneasy bonds with allies she is not sure she can rely on. Violence is regular and fairly stylized: sword fights, arrows, and magical blasts, with some bloody wounds and deaths, but no gore for its own sake. Some sensuality and kissing appear, though not explicit. It is aimed at teens and adults who want big-hearted, rule-breaking young adult fantasy with a touch of intrigue and political scheming.
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