The Reign of Queen Ginnarra

I watch Queen Ginnarra at the Romford Horror Festival. I wanted to support independent film makers and having watched 'The Slave and the Sorcerer' last year, which was also directed by Lawrie Brester and starring Megan Tremethick and Stephen Kerr, I was keen to see what new work the team had brought out.

I was somewhat sceptical at first having seen the run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, however that time flew by and there was never a dull moment

What struck me initially was what the team were able to do with the budget. It was of a much higher quality than I expected. Moreover, the acting was superb, played with earnestness. Megan Tremethick's performance was certainly a standout performance.

The movie centred around power, family, dragons and betrayal. None of the characters were one dimensional, all of them had many layers and able to portray strength juxtaposed with vulnerability.

For the budget they were able to pull off excellent choreographed fight scenes and superb animation was employed where the budget did not allow.

A movie I will defiantly watch again, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys medieval fantasy epics.

"The Reign of Queen Ginnarra" is an ambitious and visually striking dark fantasy epic that skillfully blends medieval intrigue with cosmic horror, delivering a bold, brooding experience for fans of richly atmospheric storytelling. Director Lawrie Brewster conjures a mythic world, steeped in dread and divine delusion, where the line between prophecy and madness blurs.

Megan Tremethick gives a standout performance as Queen Ginnarra - an enigmatic ruler whose celestial visions and unyielding resolve slowly unravel into a dangerous obsession. Her performance is a compelling mix of regal presence and emotional fragility, capturing the queen's conviction while exposing the vulnerability beneath.

With every measured glance and silken word, Tremethick brings life to a character who is both ethereal and terrifying - a monarch as mesmerising as she is merciless, shrouded in stillness, secrecy and sinister allure, making Ginnarra both tragic and formidable.

The supporting cast, particularly Andrew Gourlay as the exiled Prince Eldoran, provides a grounded counterbalance to Tremethick's commanding presence. Gourlay brings a quiet strength to his role, anchoring the narrative's more mythic elements with emotional depth.

Filmed on location at historic Scottish sites, including the hauntingly beautiful Dunfermline Abbey, the cinematography is both sumptuous and shadow-drenched, evoking a world that feels both majestic and in decay. The production design - steeped in ritualistic symbolism and medieval texture, is equally immersive, enriching the atmosphere of a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin.

Though its deliberate pacing and introspective tone may prove challenging to some viewers, "The Reign of Queen Ginnarra" rewards those who surrender to its rhythm with a richly woven tale of power, prophecy, and obsession. It's a testament to what independent cinema can achieve when vision, performance, and atmosphere align - and offers a haunting showcase of Megan Tremethick's remarkable talent.

"Queen Ginnarra" is a captivating film that beautifully weaves together themes of greed resilience, and the pursuit of power From the moment the credits roll, viewers are drawn into the rich tapestry of Ginnarra's world, where the stunning cinematography and vibrant horrors create an immersive experience.

The lead performance is nothing short of mesmerizing, bringing depth and authenticity to the character. The supporting cast shines as well, with each actor contributing to the film's traumatic weight.

One of the standout aspects of "Queen Ginnarra" is its ability to inspire. The story of a young woman overcoming obstacles through murder.

After the slaying of his father, the king, Prince Eldoran (Andrew Gourlay)flees his kingdom.

The latter is now under the control of his sister Queen Ginnarra (Megan Tremethick), and through her, dark forces.

The Queen sends her brutal henchmen to torture and slowly kill her brother.

Although the Prince survives the attacks, he suffers betrayals as he re-enters his father's kingdom to free it from his sister.

Certainly more epic than director Laurie Brewster and main star Megan Tremethick's 2024 comedic 'Slave and the Sorceror', 'Queen Ginnarra' doesn't have the same cathartic resolution.

The special effects are on a par with television/cinema offerings.

The acting, especially the fight scenes are quite believable.

It's evident that a lot of time and effort has been devoted to the film by everyone involved.

I watched this film at the Romford Horror Film Festival. It is truly epic in scale yet it is grounded in the terrifying prospect of the power of amoral, indifferent gods being used to buttress tyranny. This is all very pertinent to the times that we currently live in which shocks us daily with it's increasingly naked exercise of power.

Particular credit must go to Megan Tremethick for her chilling yet magnetic performance as the titular queen. Her presence holds the film together as she compells you to stare every further into the dark heart of her will to power. I found that the film stayed with me for days after I finished watching it.