Ryan J. Smith’s highly anticipated return sees the British filmmaker write and direct his latest feature, Arthur’s Empire (2026). Produced and released under Smith’s own Skint Film Company, Arthur’s Empire celebrates its world premiere at Raindance Film Festival 2026 under the ‘Narrative Feature’ category. Initially, Smith wrote the script as a crime-action crossover, but the fantastic cast unintentionally turned this story into a crime-comedy with extra personality.
Filmed over three days and set in Smith’s hometown of Blackpool brings a special personal edge to this story. Arthur’s Empire follows magazine journalist Sam (Jake Waring) sent on a new task by his boss Lawrence (Peter Adams) to desperately find his next big scoop. He hopes to discover an interesting story in the coastal town of Blackpool. Smith excels at blending comedy with crime-action to create the thrilling Arthur’s Empire.
Arthur’s Empire: A Comedic Twist
Waring fantastically acts with star leading man power status. There truly wasn’t anyone better to act as the lead here. He comes across ‘Empire Antiques’ – a store which just about sells anything and everything imaginable. But the place doesn’t receive a good amount of footfall and there’s nothing particularly worth writing about… just yet.
There he meets shop worker, Kelsey (Elizabeth Hope) who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Hope adds a natural witty charm and brings the strong female character to life. Sam is no match to Kelsey’s sharp wit. As soon as Hope appears on screen you already know she’s going to ace the role. Along with her powerful screen presence she takes on her role perfectly and adds a comedic twist that’s both natural and genuinely humorous acting.
Sam later meets eccentric owner, Arthur (Grahame Edwards) who is down on his luck by the rather threatening development of new luxury apartments to replace his store. Edwards plays Arthur with an intense likeability as well as certain irritability for he must consistently get his own way or there’s no way at all. Smith plots Arthur with an interesting backstory. He’s a Falklands war veteran which gives him a backbone and tough exterior. But his heavy interest in John Wayne also adds an extra spark to his personality.
An Interesting Scoop
The friendship development between Sam and Arthur is heartwarming and sentimental. Together Waring and Edwards are like a British comedy-duo. Take the iconic Basil Fawlty and Manuel but add an independent twist set in an antique store instead. At first, they feel like frenemies then Arthur acts like a father figure mentoring Sam.
It’s clear the three main cast members – Waring, Edwards, and Hope hold strong chemistry together and they feel like family onscreen until their characters goals lead them separate ways. But an interesting twist (which we truly didn’t see coming) changes up the narrative and sees Sam with a possible exciting scoop on his journalist hands. Scheming Kelsey teams up with her girlfriend, Jane (Charlotte Dalton) to steal antiques and sell them in a scheme for quick money.
What ensues is a John Wayne-style gun fight or Mexican stand-off which sees the crime and comedy elements nicely weave together. Arthur’s survival mode tends to have a certain carelessness for others which adds further humour. The music here perfectly matches the scenes and adds a humorous punch. It’s one of the main elements of the film that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Ryan J. Smith & Independent British Cinema
There’s a certain grounded nature and grittiness about Smith’s filmography. Arthur’s Empire is independent British cinema at its finest. Skint Film Company holds an ethos to champion low-budget filmmaking which showcases believable characters with real-life struggles. Arthur’s Empire also never lets you forget its Britishness with its Blackpool setting, Union Jack flags, and message on the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.
Arthur’s Empire is bookended particularly well alongside its memorable setting, and its well-rounded characters with interesting goals and backstories. Sometimes Smith’s work feels like an independent version of Guy Ritchie films with less violence. Smith stands out as a unique filmmaker and crafts his own identity in independent British cinema. He makes films you truly wouldn’t see anywhere else.
Smith creates a heartwarming yet bittersweet ending which threads Sam’s story nicely together, even if it’s a sad one for Arthur. Sam’s personal and professional growth over the narrative creates a fantastic complete character arc. He finds a story much richer than he ever imagined and he’s forever changed through the experience. Sam’s narration at the end is particularly self-effacing and Waring brings heart-rendering emotion to close this last act.
Ryan J. Smith shapes Arthur’s Empire with a unique blend of comedy and crime-action alongside a one-of-a-kind story with iconic characters which are brought to life through its talented cast.
Rating: 4 stars
Check out our interview with Ryan on his previous film, Kid here.
Arthur’s Empire is part of Filmotomy’s coverage of Raindance Film Festival 2026.
You can read more reviews from Raindance, including The Killing Moon (2026) here.