Realm Of Shadows 2024 (Tony Todd, Vern Wells) Anthology

Tony Todd, Vern Wells, and Richard Tyson appearing in this low-budget thriller anthology feature film should draw many. Realm of Shadows also has a list of other well-knowns like Mel Novak who plays a bible-bashing clergyman and Audrey Walters (from Better Call Saul) who were on board with getting this title done. Despite some of the well-honed casting choices, Realm of Shadows gets off to a shaky start before settling into a story about a man who misses out on a date.

Directed by Jimmy Drain (Professor Kimmer’s Initiation 2025), who also stars, the anthology movie has the addition of a wraparound story that follows witches and priests in a fight against evil. A title card pops up at the beginning to talk about Dagger of Destiny that is supposed to have stabbed Jesus. Realm of Shadows also frequently mentions that the stories within the narrative stem from real events rather than fiction.

The mighty words that point to alliances with Hitler and world occupation, Realm of Shadows talk a big game. The Dagger of Destiny, if used by someone in a way that proves ownership, they can choose to conquer the world for good or for evil.

“Whoever claims the power as their own”

Quote from Realm of Destiny 2024

Unfortunately for the title, there is little to praise. There are moments of clarity in several short films that premise a re-used idea that I could have bought into had it not gone into filler territory. There are multiple scenes with the main star and director Drain, walking across the landscape or running down the street which serve no real purpose aside from dragging out the runtime of an already limited idea.

Additionally, there are one or two pieces where there is no dialogue at all and sound effects playing over backing music that was disconcerting at best. Mother of Movies strives to understand the context of any film I watch. Despite a repeat viewing after blaming the lateness of the evening for thinking I missed parts, I was still confused as to how some of the stories ended where they did.

Thriller Anthology | Realm Of Shadows 2024

There are seven different stories. The first would be my personal favorite, however the second half of it veers off into an ending that made no sense unless filling in several blank spots is your thing. In Malick’s Dreamlady the narrative follows a man called Robby who sees a mysterious man in place of the hot bartender that was serving him only moments ago. After being shot down by a lady who comes in to have a drink and leaves him sitting alone to be with his friend, the barman suggests a lock of her hair will solve all his problems.

The interactions and dialogue are awkward at best and almost comical in their outcomes. For example, when Robby interrupts his friend to pull her hair out, he explains there was a spider on her back in an attempt to cover his tracks. The whole scene is rather odd but eventuates in the lady turning up at his house and hitting him up.

I can only assume this story was supposed to highlight the choices people make because he leaves her and walks home to his finance. I think. Drain embodies lots of characters in the stories, and sometimes it’s hard to tell where one ends and the next begins.

The common themes interlacing the short films revolve around bizarre relationships with women who are merely objects of fantasy or part of a witch coven seeking revenge but who are also fighting the Mel Novak clergyman and a second priest. After Malacks’ Dreamlady is Hike, Abashed, The Initiation of Professor Kimmer, Cadaver, Meet Michael, and Fate Upside Down.

Professor Kimmer

Jimmy Drain will be back with a feature-length movie for Professor Kimmer. In the thriller anthology short film, the story follows a teacher with a shady past who is blackmailed by a student. With any luck, hopefully, the new movie will try to be more modern and leave out cringeworthy scenes where men sit around in the office and tease people because their wife makes them lunch.

Is Realm of Shadows Anthology a Scary Movie?

Tagged as a thriller movie on IMBd.com, one user review suggests it’s “Not really worthwhile in the slightest” with 2 out of 10 stars while the remaining reviews look to be written by AI except for one long-term member giving it and 8 out of 10. On the scary scale, Realm of Shadows is far from frightening.

Director Jimmy Drain.
Writers Robert Bieber, Jimmy Drain, Lewis Leslie.
Stars Tony Todd, Vernon Wells, and, Jimmy Drain.

Distributed by Safier Entertainment. The title was a recommendation by one of our followers Jo Williamson. Thanks, Jo.

If you want to check out Realm of Shadows for yourself, it’s streaming free on TubiTv.

For what to watch next, Mother of Movies recommends Australian Dead House Dark | Creepshow Animated Special | The Mortuary Collection.

Realm of Shadows is Rated

1 Sorry Tony Todd of 5