Based on the book by Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass is the first of a trilogy. The story takes place in a parallel world where people’s spirits live outside their bodies in the form of small, talking animals, which can change shape. Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards), is a 12-year-old, adventurous orphan who lives at Jordan College. Her ‘uncle’, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), is her benefactor. Lyra overhears the college master discussing Lord Asriel’s proposed expedition to research the mysterious ‘dust’ that permeates their world from other worlds. The master is talking with the Magisterium, an all-powerful religious order that controls their world. The Magisterium will go to any lengths to prevent Asriel from going.

Lyra is also troubled by rumours that children are being stolen by Gobblers. When Lyra is befriended by the beautiful but mysterious Mrs Coulter (Nicole Kidman), she is at first thrilled to accompany her on a trip to the North. But Lyra becomes increasingly suspicious that Mrs Coulter has something to do with the Gobblers.

Lord Asriel gives Lyra a gift of a golden compass. It is the only one left of its kind, and in it Lyra can see the truth. She sets out on a quest with her golden compass to find and rescue her best friend Roger (Ben Walker), who’s been taken by the Gobblers. The quest leads her on an extraordinary journey where she meets Iorek (Ian McKellan), an ice bear, Serafina the witch (Eva Green). A tribe of Gyptians have been entrusted with her welfare and together they have to fight the forces of evil.