The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
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A teenager in New York City discovers her hidden heritage as a Shadowhunter while navigating a world of demons and ancient artifacts.
The story
New York teenager Clary Fray begins seeing and drawing a strange symbol, causing concern for her mother Jocelyn and family friend Luke Garroway. After witnessing a mysterious killing at a nightclub, Clary is confronted by Jace Wayland, a member of a secret group of demon-slayers known as Shadowhunters. As Clary discovers her own inherited powers, she is drawn into their world. She learns that her mother has hidden her from this reality and that a dangerous man named Valentine is seeking a powerful lost artifact known as the Mortal Cup to control both demons and Shadowhunters.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
New York teenager Clary Fray begins seeing and drawing a strange symbol, worrying her mother Jocelyn and family friend, Luke Garroway. At a nightclub, Clary witnesses Jace Wayland and his accomplices killing a man. The next day, Jace confronts Clary, questioning why she can see him. Meanwhile, two men, Emil Pangborn and Samuel Blackwell, search for the Mortal Cup at the Fray apartment. Jocelyn warns Clary to stay away from Valentine before falling into a potion-induced sleep. Clary is attacked by a demon, but Jace saves her, revealing he is a Shadowhunter—half-human, half-angel demon slayers. They seek refuge in the Shadowhunter Institute, where Clary meets siblings Alec and Isabelle Lightwood and leader Hodge. Clary learns she inherited her mother's powers to draw magical runes. Jace takes Clary to the City of Bones, a sanctuary beneath a cemetery. They discover that Jocelyn had Magnus Bane, the High Warlock of Brooklyn, block knowledge of the Shadowhunter world from Clary. After Simon is kidnapped by vampires and saved by werewolves, Clary realizes the Cup is hidden in one of Madame Dorothea's tarot cards. They retrieve it, but Hodge betrays them, summoning Valentine—who is revealed to be Clary's father. Clary refuses to join him and returns the Cup to the card. Luke, a werewolf, joins the fight against Valentine. Clary tricks Valentine with a replica Cup and pushes him into a portal. Jocelyn is rescued but remains unconscious. Clary returns to the Institute with Jace.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 130
- Production countries
- Canada; Germany
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Harald Zwart
- Writers
- Jessica Postigo · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Lily Collins · Clary Fray; Jamie Campbell Bower · Jace; Robert Sheehan · Simon; Kevin Zegers · Alec; Lena Headey · Jocelyn; Kevin Durand · Pangborn; Aidan Turner · Luke; Jemima West · Isabelle; Godfrey Gao · Magnus Bane; CCH Pounder · Dorothea; Jared Harris · Hodge; Jonathan Rhys Meyers · Valentine
- Genres
- urban fantasy; action
- Themes
- hidden heritage; forbidden love; destiny
- Tone and mood
- campy; supernatural; action-packed
- Premise and plot tags
- urban fantasy; teen romance; supernatural action
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
- Franchise connections
- The Mortal Instruments
- Content notes
- LGBTQ-related
- Reception
- The film was a box-office bomb and received generally negative reviews from critics for its plot and lack of originality, though it received more positive responses from cinema audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 13% · review count: 126; Metacritic · score: 33 · scale: 100 · review count: 35
- Awards and nominations
- Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Make-Up · 2014 · win; Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Overall Sound · 2014 · win; Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Sound Editing · 2014 · win; Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Visual Effects · 2014 · win; Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Costume Design · 2014 · nomination; Canadian Screen Award · Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design · 2014 · nomination; Teen Choice Award · Choice Movie: Action · 2014 · nomination; Teen Choice Award · Choice Movie: Actor Action · 2014 · nomination; Teen Choice Award · Choice Movie: Actress Action · 2014 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was originally intended to launch a film series with a sequel based on the second book, City of Ashes.; The film was originally due for release on August 23, 2013, but was pushed back two days earlier.; The film was a co-production of the Germany company Constantin Film Produktion GmbH and Canadian company Don Carmody Productions.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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