Prisoners of the Ghostland is a dystopian action thriller film directed by Sion Sono, marking his English-language debut. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Sofia Boutella, Bill Moseley, Nick Cᴀssavetes, and Tak Sakaguchi.
The story is set in the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town, where a notorious criminal, Hero (Nicolas Cage), is sprung from jail by the wealthy warlord Governor (Bill Moseley). The Governor offers Hero his freedom in exchange for rescuing his adopted granddaughter Bernice (Sofia Boutella), who has gone missing in the dark and mysterious region known as the Ghostland. To ensure Hero’s compliance, he is strapped into a leather suit that will self-destruct within five days if he fails to complete his mission.
The film blends elements of Western, samurai, and post-apocalyptic genres, creating a visually unique and surreal experience. It explores themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the clash of cultures, wrapped in a story filled with intense action sequences and bizarre characters.
Prisoners of the Ghostland premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its originality and Cage’s performance, others found its narrative to be chaotic and uneven. Despite the divided opinions, the film has garnered a cult following for its bold and unconventional style.
