The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box (2013)

What makes The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box such a satisfying watch is its throwback spirit: a brisk, old-fashioned fantasy adventure that treats mystery like a hallway of secret doors, each one opening onto something stranger and more wondrous. The Prince Regent Hotel is the kind of darkly elegant playground where danger feels storybook rather than grim, and the film keeps its momentum with clues, hidden societies, and just enough supernatural menace to make the stakes feel real. Aneurin Barnard gives Mariah an earnest, likable center, while Michael Sheen brings a sly, scene-stealing spark that makes the whole world feel more alive and unpredictable. It’s not the right pick if you want gritty realism or a radically fresh myth, but if you’re craving a family-friendly adventure with atmosphere, energy, and a cast that commits, this one earns your time.

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box is clearly trying to be a Victorian, family-friendly globe-trotting mystery in the shadow of Indiana Jones, with a magical artefact, a creepy hotel, and a young hero forced to grow up fast. The problem is the storytelling often feels like a string of set-pieces held together by flimsy connective tissue, so the momentum sags right when it should be kicking into high gear. You also may struggle to care about the characters because the film doesn’t give their relationships enough spark to make the peril land emotionally. Still, there are some fun gothic visuals and a few reliably entertaining supporting turns (Michael Sheen in particular), so if you’re in the mood for a mild, old-fashioned adventure with low intensity and can forgive a dull middle, it can pass the time. If you want real thrills, tight plotting, or a big rousing payoff, this probably isn’t your treasure.