Alar (Tahmoh Penikett) in Riftworld ChroniclesImage via CBC
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Kendall Myers
Published 54 minutes ago
Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.
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In a TV landscape full of involved franchises and adaptations, sometimes it's nice to find a quick watch that has no previously set expectations clouding your opinion. With so many options at your fingertips, it's difficult to find a low-stakes binge, but sci-fi fans should look no further than the 2014 miniseries Riftworld Chronicles, which combines fantasy lore and interdimensional travel in a quick and unique story. With eight short episodes, Riftworld Chronicles comes in under two hours, making it a minimal-commitment watch that can easily be accomplished in a single day. As an added bonus for interested parties, the series is free to stream on Tubi.
Although it isn't the most expansive series, Riftworld Chronicles uses its time well, exploring fate in a way that will leave the audience guessing. Some may remember the series from its original life as a short film called The Portal. The miniseries is an extended version of the story, though it does contain some interesting changes. Despite having a bit of a cliffhanger, Riftworld Chronicles tells a unique story that forces the audience to guess what would have happened next if the series had been able to continue.
What Is 'Riftworld Chronicles' About?
Riftworld Chronicles doesn't use major special effects to make its point, instead opting for a fish-out-of-water story as it follows the dimension-hopping wizard, Alar (Tahmoh Penikett), as he gets trapped in a modern city. Due to interference from technology, Alar cannot travel home with his usual methods, leading to a chance encounter with struggling journalist Kim (Erin Karpluk), whom he mistakes for a powerful sorceress. Alar latches onto her, and Kim becomes his somewhat unwilling guide for the next few days, though she believes he is mentally ill. The series thrives on the culture clash of the fantasy world Alar calls home and modern society. One hilarious part is when Alar gets to know Kim's video games-obsessed brother, Wes (Munro Chambers), who manages to understand Alar, although he believes him to be a dedicated cosplayer from a game. This confusion and Kim's total lack of comprehension serve as a source of humor, but the story only grows from there.
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Posts 10 By Kelsey Berish Dec 26, 2024Even in Riftworld Chronicles' limited runtime, things escalate with romantic tension between Alar and Kim. Plus, there is an otherworldly assassin following Alar and posing a threat to anyone he has contacted, Kim is pursuing her journalistic ambitions, and there's also a mystery surrounding Kim's deceased mother. The concept may seem a little cheesy, but it is helped by Penikett's unwavering dedication as he embodies the intense but kind wizard. Better known for his appearance in Supernatural as Gadreel, Penikett brings genuineness to the character that makes him surprisingly endearing. Meanwhile, Karpluk pulls off Kim with a chaotic energy that highlights the ridiculousness of her situation. Her obvious stress and irritation with her brother keep her relatable even as she becomes involved in Alar's adventure. The series really only has time to explore these two characters, but with talented actors, they both become compelling even with the constraints of the series.
'Riftworld Chronicles' Began as a Short Film
Kim (Erin Karpluk) in Riftworld Chronicles talking to a friend.Image via CBC
While the audience can easily watch the miniseries, the story behind it is worth looking into as well. Written and directed by Jonathan Williams, the 14-minute short film The Portal serves as an earlier version of what would become Riftworld Chronicles. Williams described his original idea as "a character right out of Middle Earth or Westeros wandering around downtown." Though he initially planned a full-length rom-com, the Independent Production Fund took an interest in Williams' "proof-of-concept" short and offered to turn it into a web series, which is how Riftworld Chronicles was born. Through a partnership with CBC, the miniseries premiered on the broadcaster's website, though remains fairly unknown.
Starring the same actors as the short film, the miniseries takes a slightly different approach to the story, expanding Alar and Kim's journey. Though some who were intrigued by the short expected a follow-up to answer lingering questions, the web series opted for a retelling instead. While both explore Alar and Kim's meeting, the miniseries created some definitive changes. The Portal happens in a single afternoon, while Riftworld Chronicles takes more time. The short film doesn't introduce Kim's brother or feature an otherworldly assassin. Yet, most significantly, the two versions of the story opted for different conclusions. The Portal shows a more complete version of what happens, while the series is left open-ended, setting up a potential Season 2. Though it was never continued, curious fans can infer the ending from the film, which is on YouTube. Riftworld Chronicles stands on its own, but the series' history is interesting, as it proves how this story can be compelling in multiple formats and with even less time.
'Riftworld Chronicles' Is the Perfect Low-Stakes Fantasy Binge
Alar (Tahmoh Penikett) and Kim (Erin Karpluk) in Riftworld ChroniclesImage via CBC
Riftworld Chronicles not only tells a unique story, but the series' rapid pace and short length make it easy to binge. Many series take several episodes to get people invested and move the story along, while others last for so long that they become inaccessible. Riftworld Chronicles doesn't have either issue, with only eight episodes that are webseries length. It's a simple story that fans can fall into and enjoy in just a few hours. That is a rare quality for sci-fi series, which by nature often require involved explanations to make sense. This miniseries certainly requires some major suspension of disbelief, but it is worth disregarding reality for the limited timeframe.
Even with the short film that shows what likely would have happened, fans can only guess how Kim and Alar would have gotten there, adding a creative and interactive element to the series. For fans of sci-fi or anyone who wants to fill a few hours with a slightly odd but hilarious story, Riftworld Chronicles is the perfect quick watch, and thanks to Tubi, it won't cost you anything.
Riftworld Chronicles is streaming on Tubi in the U.S.
Riftworld Chronicles
Like Follow Followed Fantasy Comedy Sci-Fi Drama Release Date July 13, 2015 Network CBC Comedy Writers Jonathan WilliamsCast
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Tahmoh Penikett
Alar of Caer Caladh
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Erin Karpluk
Kim
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Helen Johns
Narrator
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Ish Morris
Khaleesh
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Riftworld Chronicles
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Tubi
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