Fairyland

2025

1h 56m

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

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Drama

A father-daughter relationship evolves through an era of bohemian decadence in 1970s San Francisco to the sober and heartbreaking era of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

Directors

Andrew Durham

Writers

Alysia Abbott(book by)

Andrew Durham(screenplay by)

Stars

Emilia Jones

Scoot McNairy

Geena Davis

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Top cast

Alysia Abbott

Steve Abbott

Munca

Eddie Body

Yayne

Charlie

Johnny

Younger Alysia Abbott

Sean

Sandrine

Skid

Kevin

Partygoer

Paulette

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Colleen Bowling

Concerned Woman

Nicole Knodt

School Mom (uncredited)

Directors

Andrew Durham

Writers

Alysia Abbott(book by)

Andrew Durham(screenplay by)

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Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

### **Review: *Fairyland (2025)*** **Score: 7/10** *Fairyland* (2025) is a visually opulent yet narratively uneven fantasy-adventure that feels caught between the whimsical charm of a children's fable and the darker, more sophisticated lore of modern fantasy epics. It aims for timeless enchantment and occasionally achieves it, but struggles to maintain a consistent tone or a truly compelling plot across its runtime. **What Works Well:** * **Stunning Visual Imagination:** The film’s greatest strength is its breathtaking visual design. The titular Fairyland is rendered with a painterly beauty, blending practical creature effects with CGI to create a world that feels tactile and magical. From bioluminescent forests to crumbling, vine-covered castles, it is a feast for the eyes that successfully sparks a sense of wonder. * **A Strong, Grounded Lead:** The protagonist, a cynical young cartographer from our world pulled into the realm, is portrayed with a relatable weariness and intelligence that anchors the fantasy. Their journey from skeptic to believer provides a solid emotional throughline. * **Inventive Creatures & Magic:** The film shines in its details—the side characters and magical beings are creatively designed and often charming. The rules of the world’s magic, while simple, are presented with a visual flair that makes them engaging. **What Holds It Back:** * **A Pastiche of Familiar Tropes:** The story feels overwhelmingly derivative, stitching together well-worn fantasy plot points—a hidden heir, a dying magic source, a plucky band of rebels, a dark force of corruption—without bringing enough novelty to the table. The emotional beats often feel predictable. * **Tonal Whiplash:** The film can't quite decide if it’s a lighthearted adventure or a serious quest. Moments of genuine peril and loss are undercut by jarringly broad comedy or saccharine sentiment, preventing the narrative from achieving a cohesive or impactful emotional depth. * **Underdeveloped Antagonist & Stakes:** The central threat to Fairyland remains abstract and generic. The villain's motives are simplistic, and the ultimate danger lacks urgency, making the final confrontation feel more like a required spectacle than a gripping climax. **Verdict:** *Fairyland* is a perfectly serviceable and often beautiful piece of weekend escapism. It delivers on the promise of spectacle and family-friendly adventure, but fails to leave a lasting impression. It’s the cinematic equivalent of expertly crafted, delicious cotton candy—enjoyable in the moment, visually appealing, but ultimately insubstantial and quickly forgotten. It will delight younger audiences and satisfy a casual craving for fantasy, but will leave seasoned genre fans wishing for more narrative meat on its enchanting bones. **Watch if:** You are in the mood for undemanding, visually spectacular fantasy; are watching with younger viewers; or simply want a colourful escape. **Skip if:** You seek innovative world-building, complex characters, or a story with the emotional weight and originality of films like *The Dark Crystal*, *Pan's Labyrinth*, or *The Spiderwick Chronicles*.

misubisu25 Dec, 2025