FilmQuest 24: "The Worlds Divide" - movie review

Denver Jackson’s Esluna: The Worlds Divide delivers a stunning sci-fi adventure with intense action and captivating animation.

This year’s festival circuit has featured a handful of animated films, and while I wasn’t able to see any in person, I decided to start with one of the first films at FilmQuest: Denver Jackson’s Esluna: The Worlds Divide. Set in the world of Esluna, which fans of Jackson’s previous web series and feature will recognize, the story follows Natomi (Breanna Pearl), who is sent by her father Terric (Phillip Sacramento) to Esluna. There, she reunites with her childhood friend, a commando teddy bear named Miito (Max Lindsey), and teams up with a mysterious warrior, Bataar (Andrew Lander), to save Esluna from the clutches of the evil Queen Idena (Chelsea Krause).

Written, directed, and illustrated by Jackson, The Worlds Divide is a remarkable achievement. Fans of Star Wars, martial arts, and cyberpunk will enjoy the film’s expansive journey.

The animation style in The Worlds Divide feels different from Jackson’s earlier Esluna works, with a visual style reminiscent of Aeon Flux and Heavy Metal. The bold colors and character designs, enhanced by their abilities, demonstrate Jackson’s talent for visual storytelling and world-building. The towering Valkyrie Ship under Queen Idena’s control evokes a Neill Blomkamp-like vibe, particularly from Elysium, and Jackson’s attention to detail in crafting both the futuristic world and the rich scenery of Esluna is impressive. It’s easy to guess that Jackson is a fan of sci-fi, given how much passion is evident in this film. Even more impressive is that the project was largely self-financed, with a budget under $100K.

Though the film draws Star Wars comparisons initially, what sets it apart are the intense, action-packed fight scenes, which are far more violent and not at all PG. As the narrative shifts into darker territory, The Worlds Divide firmly establishes its own identity. I was fully immersed in the spectacle and delighted by its many surprises.

After watching this, I’m eager to explore more of the Esluna series, particularly to see how the earlier entries compare. There are recurring characters across the series, which speaks to the depth of Jackson’s world-building. I’m excited to see what he does next, and given the impressive quality of this largely solo project, I’m curious to see what he could create with a larger budget.

Rating: 4/5

Denver Jackson Writer/Director

Nicole SorochanP roducer

Breanna Pearl ,"Natomi"

Phillip Sacramento, "Terric"

Max Lindsey,"Miito"

Andrew Lander,"Bataar"

Chelsea Krause,"Idena"

Music by David Parfit

Music by Marc Junker

Sound Supervisor Alec Rubay