The Dark Tower 2017

As the cinematic curtain lifts, we’re transported to a campsite in Mid-World, where a cluster of children are being rounded up by creatures clad in synthetic coverings. Under the watchful eye of Walter Padick, AKA The Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), a few select youngsters are led to a mysterious device, their “shine” harnessed to unleash a powerful energy blast aimed at the Dark Tower. This surreal scene is merely a dream sequence unfolding in the mind of Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor), who’s currently living in New York City with his mother Laurie (Kathryn Winnick) and stepfather Lon (Nicholas Pauling).

A year has passed since Jake’s father, Elmar (Karl Thaning), perished while attempting to save lives from a fire. The trauma of that event continues to manifest in Jake’s recurring dreams about Mid-World, which he attempts to capture in his drawings. His psychologists dismiss these visions as a symptom of his grief and the lingering effects of his father’s passing.

Meanwhile, at school, Jake becomes engrossed in drawing another one of his vivid dreams, only for it to be snatched away by a bully. This affront triggers a violent outburst from Jake, culminating in a fierce confrontation that ultimately ends with him being restrained.

In the world of Mid-World, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), the stalwart Gunslinger, finds himself alongside his father Steven (Dennis Haysbert) in the depths of the woods. As they sense Walter’s presence, they instinctively reach for their firearms and recite the sacred creed of the Gunslinger. It is then that Walter materializes, utilizing his mastery of manipulation magic to sever Steven’s breath, claiming his life. Roland, however, proves immune to this dark sorcery.

As Jake navigates the labyrinthine corridors of his own subconscious, he begins to uncover fragments of a forgotten past, symbolized by an abandoned house from one of his recurring dreams. Compelled by a sense of discovery, Jake ventures onto an online forum, seeking answers about the mysterious dwelling’s location.

A pair of individuals, masquerading as representatives from a psychiatric center working in tandem with the school, arrive at Jake’s doorstep, prompted by Lon’s encouragement. As Laurie attempts to persuade Jake to accompany them for his own well-being, he becomes acutely aware of the telltale scar on one of their necks, a subtle hint that these individuals are not what they seem.

Jake’s intuition is further validated when he discovers a response on the forum from someone claiming to possess knowledge about the abandoned house’s location in Brooklyn. Recognizing this as an opportunity to uncover the truth, Jake makes his move, slipping away unnoticed through a bathroom window and evading his pursuers as they chase him through the city streets.

As Jake ventures into Brooklyn, he arrives at a humble abode that holds the key to unlocking a mystical realm. Upon entering the dwelling, he discovers an enigmatic device capable of conjuring a portal to Mid-World, a realm teeming with ancient secrets and mystique. With curiosity piqued, Jake embarks on a treacherous journey across the arid expanse, eventually stumbling upon a dense thicket where fate brings him face-to-face with Roland (Idris Elba), a seasoned warrior driven by an unwavering determination.

Initially, Roland suspects Jake of being in league with Walter, a malevolent force hell-bent on destroying the very fabric that binds Mid-World to Earth. However, Jake’s innocent yet profound connection to this mystical realm is revealed through his vivid dreamscapes and glimpses into the abyssal depths of Mid-World. As the truth begins to unravel, Roland explains that Walter is exploiting children with extraordinary abilities known as “shine” to bring about the downfall of The Dark Tower, a nexus that harmonizes the celestial rhythms of both worlds.

Under the starry veil of night, Jake’s subconscious conjures an ethereal apparition of his father, beckoning him toward a realm beyond this mortal coil. Before Roland can intervene, Jake’s fingers instinctively grasp for the spectral hand, only to reveal a malevolent entity masquerading as Roland’s own patriarch. Unfazed by the deceit, Roland dispatches the interloper with ruthless efficiency.

Meanwhile, Walter’s machinations unfold in tandem, as he receives intelligence about the portal’s activation and Jake’s involvement. Seizing this opportunity, he sends his minions to investigate Earth, ultimately leading them to Jake’s apartment where they encounter Laurie (Mia Sutton) and Lon. In a gruesome display of brutality, Walter dispatches Lon, leaving Laurie cowering in fear. The villain then coerces her into escorting him to Jake’s quarters, where he discovers an array of cryptic drawings that betray Jake’s profound understanding of Mid-World.

As Roland guides Jake through the mystical landscape, they seek the counsel of Arra (Claudia Kim), a revered seer who deciphers the mysteries woven within Jake’s visions. However, their journey is soon disrupted by an attack from Walter’s minions, who lay waste to the village and imperil its inhabitants. In a desperate bid to protect Jake, Roland valiantly fends off the invaders, ultimately striking down the would-be kidnapper with precision and unwavering focus. As the dust settles, the duo finds themselves at the forefront of an epic struggle to safeguard the integrity of both worlds.

As the dust settles, Roland (actor name) and his protégé Jake return to Earth, only to find themselves navigating a maze of emotions as they tend to Roland’s wounds at a local hospital. The stark reality hits Jake like a ton of bricks when he discovers the lifeless body of Lon in his apartment, the tragic truth about Walter’s sinister deeds finally dawning on him. In a poignant moment of revelation, Jake is confronted with visions of the past, forcing him to confront the brutal reality that Walter was responsible for the senseless slaughter of his mother. The emotional toll takes its toll as Jake breaks down, Roland trying to offer solace by vowing to make Walter pay.

As Roland seeks to arm himself for the impending battle ahead, he heads to a gun store only to be separated from Jake when the young man falls prey to Walter’s minions. The manipulative Walter, ever the mastermind, orchestrates a scene at the gun store, using the shop owner as a pawn in his game of cat and mouse against Roland.

Meanwhile, back in Mid-World, Walter has Jake strapped to the esoteric machine, channeling the Dark Tower’s dark energy to wreak havoc on our world. The skies above New York City turn a deep shade of crimson as earthquakes rock the city, signaling the apocalypse. Undeterred, Roland charges into Walter’s lair, fighting his way through an army of minions to reach Jake.

As he battles his way through the treacherous terrain, Roland finds solace in his mental connection with Jake, who is using his unique abilities to guide him through the labyrinthine lair. In a climactic showdown, Walter faces off against Roland, employing his cunning and guile to deflect every bullet fired at him.

But Roland refuses to back down, drawing inspiration from Jake’s unwavering spirit as he recites the creed of the Gunslingers: “I do not aim with my hand. He who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I am with my eye. I do not shoot with my hand. I shoot with my mind. I do not kill with my gun. I kill with my heart.” With newfound resolve, Roland shoots two bullets in rapid succession, using them to ricochet off each other and strike Walter with precision.

In a final act of justice, Roland puts an end to Walter’s evil schemes once and for all, then frees Jake from the machine. As the lair self-destructs, the duo returns to Earth, where the world is restored to its natural state.

Roland extends an olive branch to Jake, inviting him to join him on a journey into Mid-World, where he has no other place to call home. With a sense of purpose and belonging, Jake accepts Roland’s offer, and together they step through the portal, embarking on a new chapter in their perilous adventure.