Forbidden Empire

Forbidden Empire

The truth is in you

Directed by Oleg Stepchenko

Produced by Russian Film Group, Marinsgroup

2014128 min5.9 / 10

A dark, atmospheric period horror-fantasy about a cartographer's descent into a cursed village where evil dwells within the souls of its isolated inhabitants.

Early 18th century. Cartographer Jonathan Green undertakes a scientific voyage from Europe to the East. Having passed through Transylvania and crossed the Carpathian Mountains, he finds himself in a small village lost in impassible woods. Nothing but chance and heavy fog could bring him to this cursed place. People who live here do not resemble any other people which the traveler saw before that. The villagers, having dug a deep moat to fend themselves from the rest of the world, share a naive belief that they could save themselves from evil, failing to understand that evil has made its nest in their souls and is waiting for an opportunity to gush out upon the world.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Forbidden Empire scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 94% of films.

  • Is Forbidden Empire one of a kind? No. Less singular than 90% of films.

  • Does Forbidden Empire end with hope? Barely. Less hopeful than 83% of films.

  • Is Forbidden Empire sad? Yes. More sad than 75% of films.

  • Is Forbidden Empire easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 74% of films.

  • Is Forbidden Empire violent? Somewhat. More violent than 71% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

21/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity16

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise29

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love20

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Forbidden Empire, and what each one shares →

Like Forbidden Empire

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Forbidden Empire

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Forbidden Empire, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Forbidden Empire, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Forbidden Empire, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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