Melchior l'apothicaire: Le glaive du bourreau

The Executioner's Daughter, the third film in the Apothecary Melchior series, sticks to the fast-paced mystery style of the first two movies, but struggles to deliver the same emotional impact-especially after the death of a major character.

The movie starts off strong. Melchior and his now-wife, Keterlyn, discover a naked, unconscious man in the forest who wakes up with no memory. From there, the plot thickens with four more murders, a surprisingly thoughtful inquisitor, and a strange figure called the White Acrobat Angel, who feels more confusing than meaningful.

The tension builds nicely, especially with the arrival of a witch-hunting monk named Frederic. But when Keterlyn suddenly dies, the story loses emotional depth. Melchior's reaction is strangely muted, making the moment feel flat instead of heartbreaking. The acting, usually solid, also feels held back-like the characters aren't allowed to grow beyond the series' usual tone.

Visually, the movie is impressive, with detailed medieval sets and strong camera work. It even premiered in Germany, showing how far Estonian film has come. This isn't high-brow art, but it's fun, easy-to-watch entertainment-great for a casual night in.

Although this is the weakest of the three films, it still shows ambition and hints at more stories to come. If you've watched the first two, this is a decent-if slightly flawed-ending that leaves room for future adventures.