Empire Queen: The Golden Age of Magic (2024) is an independent fantasy film directed by Chris Dane Owens and Jason Schulz. Set in the realm of Alerion, where magic is forbidden to commoners, the story follows Commander Jade Cross (Owens), who discovers Arra Winter (Ciel Post) practicing magic in the forest. Realizing she is the prophesied “Empire Queen” destined to restore magic, Jade teams up with Arra and his friend, sea captain Sterling Montgomery (Jason Schulz), to find the legendary Sovereign Wand. Their quest aims to overthrow the tyrannical Queen Wendolyn (Mary Elise Hayden), who seeks to maintain her grip on power and suppress magic among the populace.

The film pays homage to classic fantasy tropes, featuring a chosen one, a prophecy, and a battle against an evil queen. Its lighthearted and campy tone, reminiscent of “The Princess Bride, embraces the charm of vintage fantasy adventures. While some critiques mention its formulaic plot and extended runtime, Empire Queen offers an enjoyable experience for fans of nostalgic fantasy narratives. The film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Vimeo.