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Action thriller

Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021) movie poster

Prisoners of the Ghostland is a 2021 action thriller directed by Shion Sono, starring Bill Moseley as Governor, Nicolas Cage and Sofia Boutella. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $80,425 worldwide. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10.

IMDb rating
4.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
62%
worldwide gross
$80.4K
Echo Score
57
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Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Shion Sono
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Prisoners of the Ghostland About?

The premise of Prisoners of the Ghostland without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the lawless underbelly of Samurai Town, a notorious thief is unexpectedly freed from captivity by a powerful warlord. The warlord needs his help to rescue his granddaughter, who has gone missing. The thief has only five days to succeed, or he will face a terrifying fate: incineration within a special suit. Forced to confront dangerous adversaries and his own troubled history, he must find a way to save the granddaughter and ultimately seek redemption.

Prisoners of the Ghostland Themes & Keywords

· 35 tags
  • rescue
  • heist gone wrong
  • japan
  • geisha
  • exploding suit
  • samurai
  • stuck in a dream
  • sword fight
  • brothel
  • junkyard
  • radiation burn
  • stopped time
+23 more
  • final battle
  • final showdown
  • governor
  • reference to shakespeare's sonnets
  • quoting shakespeare's hamlet
  • reference to shakespeare's sonnet 18
  • nightmare
  • ghost
  • kabuki
  • candy cinema
  • dystopian sci fi
  • one person army action
  • 2020s
  • 21st century
  • gumball
  • no opening credits
  • surrealism
  • bank robbery
  • bare chested male
  • bicycle
  • car crash
  • explosion
  • flashback
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Cast & crew

Prisoners of the Ghostland Cast & Characters

Bill Moseley leads the cast as Governor, with Nicolas Cage as Hero and Sofia Boutella as Bernice. Directed by Shion Sono; 16 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Shion Sono

More films directed by Shion Sono, best-rated first: Love Exposure, Why Don't You Play in Hell?, Himizu and Cold Fish.

Full filmography
Ratings

Prisoners of the Ghostland Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Prisoners of the Ghostland 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

57 /100

Prisoners of the Ghostland Echo Score Breakdown

Prisoners of the Ghostland delivers a polarizing experience that oscillates between striking visual ambition and uneven narrative execution. Critics and viewers commend the film’s bold aesthetic and Nicolas Cage’s energetic performance, yet they commonly cite a convoluted plot and inconsistent pacing that undermine engagement. The sensory overload, while occasionally captivating, often feels gratuitous. Consequently, the movie appeals chiefly to niche fans of avant‑garde genre cinema, limiting its broader appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases an audacious visual palette, inventive set pieces, and striking color schemes that many reviewers find impressive. However, critics note that the relentless barrage of images can feel chaotic, and editing sometimes sacrifices coherence for stylistic excess. Overall, the craftsmanship is bold but uneven.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When assessing character and emotion, Nicolas Cage’s eccentric performance receives both praise for its vigor and criticism for its over‑the‑top delivery, while Sofia Boutella is highlighted as a stronger presence. Many reviewers describe the chemistry as uneven and the supporting roles as underdeveloped, resulting in a mixed emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is frequently described as fragmented, with a plot that leans on derivative tropes and an erratic pacing that confuses rather than engages. While some praise its surreal ambition, the consensus points to a lack of coherent progression that diminishes overall satisfaction.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In the sensory domain, the film’s soundtrack and sound design complement its hyper‑stylized visuals, creating an immersive yet often overwhelming atmosphere. Reviewers commend the bold color grading and inventive FX as highlights, though some argue the sensory overload serves style over substance, reducing the overall clarity of the experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    The rewatch factor is limited, as many viewers find the film’s novelty wears thin after the initial shock of its oddities. While hardcore fans of Cage or Sono may appreciate revisiting its eccentric set‑pieces, the predominance of filler content and lack of narrative depth discourage repeat viewings for most audiences.

Plot

Prisoners of the Ghostland Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Prisoners of the Ghostland from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a devastated region of Japan, left in ruins after a catastrophic nuclear waste spill from a collision between a transport truck and a prison bus, lies a settlement known as Samurai Town. This town is under the iron grip of a corrupt Governor, who has uniquely blended elements of both modern and traditional Japanese society with the ruggedness of the old American West. To maintain his power, he keeps a harem of “granddaughters” as his sex slaves, forcing them into a life of servitude. Beyond the town stretches the Ghostland, a harsh wasteland inhabited by irradiated outcasts.

Full summary

The whole story of Prisoners of the Ghostland, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Prisoners of the Ghostland Box Office

Prisoners of the Ghostland grossed $80,425 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$80.4K

International
$80.4K
Videos

Prisoners of the Ghostland Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Trailer Teaser
  • Clip Exclusive Movie Clip - My Bernice
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Prisoners of the Ghostland?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What catastrophic event led to the formation of Samurai Town?

Cars

Cars in Prisoners of the Ghostland

19 cars on screen, including the 1993 Toyota Celica and the 1985 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.

All 19 cars
  • 1993 Toyota Celica in Prisoners of the Ghostland 1993 Toyota Celica Important role
  • 1985 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter in Prisoners of the Ghostland 1985 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Minor role
  • 1994 Nissan President in Prisoners of the Ghostland 1994 Nissan President Minor role
  • 1971 Toyota Celica in Prisoners of the Ghostland 1971 Toyota Celica Minor role
Details

Prisoners of the Ghostland Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “Prisioneros de la tierra fantasmal” and “프리즈너스 오브 고스트랜드”.

Also known as
  • Prisioneros de la tierra fantasmal
  • 프리즈너스 오브 고스트랜드
  • 幽靈之國的囚徒
  • 幽灵之国的囚徒
  • Les Prisonniers du Ghostland
  • Узники страны призраков
  • 고스트랜드
  • Więźniowie Ghostland
  • В’язні країни привидів
  • Ghostland: Terra Sem Lei
  • Prisioneros de Ghostland
  • שבויי ארץ הרוחות
+12 more
  • Prisioneros de Ghostland: Tierra sin ley
  • Затвореници земље духова
  • 鬼域囚徒
  • ปฏิบัติการถล่มแดนซามูไร
  • Šmėklų žemės kaliniai
  • Tù Nhân Của Vùng Đất Ma Quái
  • プリズナーズ・オブ・ゴーストランド
  • Островът на призраците
  • Prizonieri pe taramul spiritelor
  • Presoners de Ghostland
  • Spoku zemes gūstekņi
  • 鬼蜮囚徒

Seen Prisoners of the Ghostland?

FAQ

Prisoners of the Ghostland FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Prisoners of the Ghostland, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Prisoners of the Ghostland?

Prisoners of the Ghostland runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Prisoners of the Ghostland released?

Prisoners of the Ghostland was released on September 17, 2021.

Who directed Prisoners of the Ghostland?

Prisoners of the Ghostland was directed by Shion Sono.

More films by Shion Sono

Who is in the cast of Prisoners of the Ghostland?

Prisoners of the Ghostland stars Bill Moseley as Governor, Nicolas Cage as Hero and Sofia Boutella as Bernice, among 16 credited actors.

How much did Prisoners of the Ghostland make at the box office?

Prisoners of the Ghostland grossed $80,425 worldwide.

How is Prisoners of the Ghostland rated?

Prisoners of the Ghostland has 4.2/10 on IMDb, 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does Prisoners of the Ghostland have a post-credit scene?

No. Prisoners of the Ghostland has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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