--- title: "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" year: 2013 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones" fi1m_id: "the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones" imdb_id: "tt1538403" tmdb_id: 123553 wikidata_id: "Q59346" fi1m_score: 38 critics_score: 38 critics_reviews: 16 published: "2026-10-05T13:11:08.656480+00:00" updated: "2026-10-05T13:11:22.002776+00:00" region: "GB" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) Directed by Harald Zwart · 2h 10m · BBFC 12A · Fantasy, Action, Mystery ## Identity The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones - **IMDb ID:** tt1538403 - **TMDB ID:** 123553 - **Wikidata ID:** Q59346 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1538403/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/123553, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59346 **Fi1m score: 38** · Critics 38 from 16 reviews *In a sentence:* Two hours of beautiful people being solemn about tattoos, and the villain is the only one allowed to enjoy himself > Harald Zwart’s adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s novel has a handsome cathedral, a willing cast and no idea how to tell its story. The first half explains, the second half fights, and neither half makes us care who ends up holding the cup. ## Synopsis Brooklyn, the present day. Clary Fray (Lily Collins) is a teenager who has started drawing a symbol she does not recognise, over and over, without knowing why. At a nightclub with her best friend Simon Lewis (Robert Sheehan) she watches a tattooed boy, Jace Wayland (Jamie Campbell Bower), kill a man nobody else in the club can see. The next day her mother Jocelyn (Lena Headey) vanishes from their flat, taken by men working for Valentine (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), who wants an object called the Mortal Cup and believes Jocelyn knows where it is. Jace takes Clary to the Institute, a cathedral where Shadowhunters, demon-killers invisible to ordinary people, live and train under Hodge Starkweather (Jared Harris). Clary wants her mother back. To find her she has to recover memories somebody has taken from her. ## Review Clary Fray (Lily Collins) is a Brooklyn teenager who starts drawing a symbol she has never seen, then watches a boy kill a man in a nightclub while nobody else notices. Within the first half-hour her mother is gone, her flat has been wrecked by a demon that looks like a dog turned inside out, and she has been carried off to a cathedral full of young people with tattoos. That is a lot of set-up, and the film has a great deal more where it came from. Harald Zwart’s adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s novel runs 130 minutes and spends perhaps ninety of them explaining the rules. The explaining is the problem. The screenplay, which Jessica Postigo shares the credit for, has to tell us what a Shadowhunter is, what a rune does, why ordinary people cannot see demons, who the Silent Brothers are, what the Mortal Cup is for and why Valentine wants it, and it does this in corridors, with one character asking a question and another answering it. Clary asks most of the questions. Collins is a likeable presence and does what she can, but a heroine whose main job is to say “what is that” for two hours has nowhere to go, and the script never finds her anything to want beyond her mother and a boy. The thing that works is the Institute. François Séguin has built a Gothic church kitted out as a dormitory and armoury, with candles and brass, a library with ladders and weapons racked along the walls, and Geir Hartly Andreassen lights it in warm amber against the cold blue of the streets outside, so we always know which world we are in. Gersha Phillips dresses the Shadowhunters in black leather a shade too clean, as if nobody had fought in it, but the look holds together. When the film sits still in these rooms it is close to pleasant. It does not sit still often. The action is cut by Jacqueline Carmody into short, dim fragments, a blade, a snarl, a body hitting a wall, so that we were seldom sure who had struck whom or from where. The demon in the flat and a later fight in a hotel full of vampires have the same fault: the film seems embarrassed by its creatures and keeps cutting away from them before we have had a proper look. Atli Örvarsson’s score pushes strings and choir under all of it, insisting this is grand, when what we are looking at is a corridor. We laughed once, properly, and it was at the moment Jace Wayland (Jamie Campbell Bower) sits down at a piano and explains that Bach was one of them. We are fairly sure the line was meant to be charming. It is the film in miniature: a straight face held over material that needed a wink. Robert Sheehan, as Clary’s best friend Simon, is the one actor who seems to know the register, and the film sidelines him for the romance. Jonathan Rhys Meyers arrives late as Valentine, in a long coat and a sneer, and plays it as a man who has decided to have a good time whatever the rest of the cast are doing; we were briefly glad of him. Lena Headey gets one good scene before the plot removes her. Jared Harris, Aidan Turner and Kevin Zegers are all given a function and no character. The genre is the hidden-world teen fantasy, and the better examples of it, [*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer) chief among them, understood that the rules are the least interesting thing about a secret world and the people are the most. Zwart’s [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid) remake was patient about one boy learning one thing. Here he has a dozen things to teach and a sequel to prepare for, and the people are what get squeezed. Most critics landed near where we have, and the complaints cluster in the same place: a story that cannot be followed and a tone that cannot decide. Readers of the book may get what they came for, since the film is faithful in the way of a checklist. For anyone else it is a 12A that confuses rather than frightens. At home you can pause it to ask who everyone is, which is a question the film itself never quite answers. *Fi1m score 38, published 5 October 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews lean firmly negative. None of the critics recommends the film, and the kindest settle for mixed. Where praise exists it sits at the edges: the flashes of humour and self-aware silliness, which several critics find a relief from the plot, and the effects and production design, which earn a grudging word even from writers who dislike everything else. The Wrap credits Jonathan Rhys Meyers with a brief and welcome burst of camp. The complaints are more consistent than the praise. Most critics call the story incoherent, the exposition clunky and the whole thing a borrowed mix of Twilight, Harry Potter and Buffy. Lily Collins divides opinion: The Hollywood Reporter finds she conveys real empathy, while the Los Angeles Times calls her heroine unconvincing. The spread is narrow in direction and wide in degree, running from two-star shrugs to outright dismissal, with The Guardian going as far as to call the film cynical. ## Straight answers **Is The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones worth watching?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* is not worth an evening for most viewers, and we scored it 38. The cathedral sets are handsome and the cast is willing, but the script spends ninety of its 130 minutes explaining the rules and the fights are cut into dim fragments. Readers of Cassandra Clare's novel may get what they came for; nobody else will. **How long is The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and what is it rated?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* runs 2h 10m and is rated 12A by the BBFC in the UK. It is a fantasy and action film. **Where can I watch The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones in the UK?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from £3.49. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and is it suitable for children?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* is a 12A with fantasy violence, demons and vampires, and it is more confusing than frightening. The creatures are glimpsed in short, dark cuts rather than dwelt on, so the squeamish have little to fear. Younger children are more likely to be lost than scared, since the film never makes clear who is fighting whom. **How does The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones compare to Buffy the Vampire Slayer?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* is the weaker of the two by some distance, and [*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer) is the one to choose. Both are hidden-world teen fantasies, but *Buffy* puts its people and its jokes first, where *City of Bones* spends its time on rules recited in corridors. Only committed readers of Cassandra Clare's books should pick the film instead. **Is The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones based on a true story or a book?** *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones* is based on Cassandra Clare's novel of the same name, not on a true story. The film follows the book faithfully in the way of a checklist, covering the events without finding the characters. Knowing the source helps a great deal, since the film itself never quite explains who everyone is or why we should care. **What should I watch after The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones?** After *The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones*, try [*Buffy the Vampire Slayer*](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer) (1997, Fi1m 80): The hidden-world teen fantasy done with jokes, people and no corridors of exposition. Then [*Pan's Labyrinth*](https://film.one/film/pans-labyrinth) (2006, Fi1m 87): A girl, a monstrous world under the real one, and every rule made to matter; and [*Stardust*](https://film.one/film/stardust) (2007, Fi1m 75): Fantasy that knows it is silly and has a lovely time being so. ### Reviews we read (16) - **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page content is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be confirmed. No praise or complaint from the review is available to report. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-2013) - **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but its critical assessment is unavailable in the excerpt. The visible text does not reveal the critic’s verdict or what they praise or complain about. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones/5059418.article) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint is available from the page text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/movies/in-the-mortal-instruments-shadowhunters-prowl-new-york.html) - **Radio Times**, Alan Jones (3/5): Jones finds the fantasy familiar, blending territory associated with Twilight and Harry Potter. He notes its supernatural creatures and humour, which softens the horror. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-n1nweb/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones/) - **Slant Magazine**, R. Kurt Osenlund (2/4): Osenlund finds the film briefly entertaining as absurd, self-aware genre excess, but ultimately undone by shoddy filmmaking. He praises its kooky humor and flamboyant collection of characters, while criticizing the incoherent action and choppy editing. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones/) - **Time Out**, Anna Smith (2/5): Smith gives the film two stars, indicating a negative verdict. She singles out its familiar mix of Twilight, Buffy, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter as an unconvincing bid for tween popularity. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones) - **Evening Standard**, The Standard (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the fantasy adventure foolish and its lead performance blank-eyed, though the love rivals bring some life to the film. They praise the end-credits song choice and refreshing casual references to homosexuality. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-film-review-8782143.html) - **Variety**, Justin Chang (30/100, inferred): Chang finds the film a muddled, largely incoherent fantasy, though its self-aware silliness offers some redemption. He praises the flashes of humor and offbeat nightlife-inspired touches as welcome distractions from the convoluted story. [Read](https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-1200582502/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an overlong, melodramatic knockoff that struggles to escape its clunky dialogue and familiar franchise formula. Lily Collins is praised for conveying empathy, while the visual effects and production design also receive some credit. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mortal-instruments-city-bones-film-609702/) - **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (20/100, inferred): O'Hara finds the film muddled, thinly characterized, and unlikely to satisfy audiences beyond book fans. She gives some credit to its effects and design, but says that cannot redeem the incoherent romance and uncertain tone. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/mortal-instruments-city-bones-review/) - **The Guardian**, Francesca Steele (20/100, inferred): Steele calls the film cynical and says its story fails to make sense. She singles out clunky exposition and derivative material that leave viewers confused about the film’s fantasy world. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/22/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-review) - **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (20/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film uninspired and derivative, with its dramatic possibilities left largely unexplored. He praises its brisk pace and occasional humor but faults its lack of visual imagination. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/movie-review-the-mortal-instruments.html) - **Los Angeles Times**, Mark Olsen (10/100, inferred): Olsen finds the film a sloppy, passionless jumble that fails to make its fantasy mythology compelling. He singles out Lily Collins’s unconvincing heroine and the cluttered story that seems mainly to set up a sequel. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-aug-20-la-et-mn-mortal-instruments-20130821-story.html) - **The Playlist** (64/100, inferred): The accessible page does not expose the review or its verdict. Its URL identifies a review of the 2013 film, but no praise or complaint can be verified. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-starring-lily-collins-jamie-campbell-bower-more-20130821/) - **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (2/5): The review finds the film dull and poorly constructed rather than a worthy successor to Twilight. It singles out incoherent storytelling and sketchily drawn characters as major problems. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a507538/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-review-is-it-the-new-twilight/) - **The Wrap** (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film dreary, familiar, and ultimately tedious. Jonathan Rhys Meyers’s over-the-top performance briefly provides an amusing burst of camp. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-instruments-city-bones-review-part-harry-potter-part-twilight-all-dull-111916/) ## Details - **Director:** Harald Zwart - **Director:** Harald Zwart - **Screenplay:** I. Marlene King, Jessica Postigo - **Novel:** Cassandra Clare - **Cinematography:** Geir Hartly Andreassen - **Editor:** Jacqueline Carmody - **Music:** Atli Örvarsson - **Production design:** François Séguin - **Costume design:** Gersha Phillips - **Producer:** Robert Kulzer, Don Carmody - **Cast:** Lily Collins as Clary Fray; Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland; Robert Sheehan as Simon Lewis; Kevin Zegers as Alec Lightwood; Jemima West as Isabelle Lightwood; Lena Headey as Jocelyn Fray; Aidan Turner as Luke Garroway; Jared Harris as Hodge Starkweather - **Runtime:** 2h 10m - **Certificate (BBFC):** 12A - **Release (the UK):** 23 August 2013 - **Genres:** Fantasy, Action, Mystery - **Budget:** $60 million - **Box office:** $95 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc4CiTvQ-YE ## Where to watch in the UK - Amazon Prime Video: add-on - Amazon Prime Video: rent £3.49, hd - Apple TV: rent £3.49, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy £7.99, hd - Apple TV: buy £7.99, hd *Checked 2026-10-05.* Also available in: AE, AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, IE, IT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), Fi1m 80: The hidden-world teen fantasy done with jokes, people and no corridors of exposition — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md) - *Night Watch* (2004): Moscow’s secret war between light and dark, scruffy, loud and properly strange - *Pan's Labyrinth* (2006), Fi1m 87: A girl, a monstrous world under the real one, and every rule made to matter — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/pans-labyrinth.md) - *Stardust* (2007), Fi1m 75: Fantasy that knows it is silly and has a lovely time being so — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/stardust.md) - *Let the Right One In* (2008), Fi1m 88: Teenage vampire love in a Swedish suburb, quiet, cold and unforgettable — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/let-the-right-one-in.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones