"Join the Skeleton Army"

9 October 2025

84s

The bare bones.

The weirdness is off the charts in this ad for Clash Royale, as you might expect when the excellent Harold Einstein is directing William H Macy. The veteran actor is searching for bones to sustain the skeleton army, and Einstein has him hunting for them in an operating theatre alongside puppet versions of the characters from the advertised game.

Interestingly, alongside the advertising message for Clash Royale, this film is also reminding viewers of the importance of organ donation. This is, in truth, quite a jarring juxtaposition but, at the same time, one that is thematically compatible. It also helps to justify the gore, which, in turn, helps to deflect any suggestion of tastelessness.

Einstein's understated comedy style has long made him one of our favourite directors, and he has, as might be expected, amplified the strangeness of an already strange conceit. That is on brand for Clash Royale which consistently imbues its advertising with a weird vibe.

It must be working or they wouldn't keep doing it, and turning to the likes of Macy and Einstein demonstrates a willingness to amp it up all the more.

UK

Electronic Gaming