The Brothers Grimm

Two roaming pranksters and con artists named Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm travel from village to village posing as folklore collectors who defend townsfolk from enchanted beasts while selling pretend exorcisms. They charm crowds with tall tales, slick tricks, and a confident sales pitch, turning fear into spectacle as they chase paydays and fame. Their routine is tested when a true enchantment surfaces in a haunted forest, drawing them into a perilous game with genuine magic, a real curse, and beings they never anticipated. As danger mounts, the brothers are pushed to prove their courage beyond their patter and bravado, learning that the line between illusion and reality can blur in the folk tales they once merely retailed. Their stagecraft and swagger draw crowds, but the threat they face will challenge not just their pockets but their credibility.

Directed by Terry Gilliam and released in 2005, the film draws on the Brothers Grimm legends rather than adapting a tale. It stars Matt Damon as Wilhelm and Heath Ledger as Jacob, with Lena Headey, Monica Bellucci, and Peter Stormare.

With a budget of about 88 million dollars, The Brothers Grimm earned roughly 105.3 million worldwide, turning a modest profit without becoming a blockbuster and leaving some markets lighter due to mixed genre appeal for international audiences.

Critics offered a mixed response to Gilliam's flamboyant blend of fantasy, action and humor, praising the production design while noting tonal shifts. The film wrestles with themes of showmanship versus authenticity, and with how real danger intrudes on stories told for entertainment and profit in a world where tales sell.

Although not a lasting cultural phenomenon, the movie is remembered for its bold production design and Gilliam's distinct fairy tale sensibility. Its visuals, practical effects, and offbeat humor influenced later fantasy cinema, encouraging directors to blend whimsy with danger and to reimagine folklore for modern crowds.