Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Director: Jeff Nichols
Writer: John Malone and Chad Taylor
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Jovan Adepo, Taron Egerton, Harris Dickinson, Kelsey Asbille, Vera Farmiga, Liv Tyler, Wes Studi
Plot: Phoebe (Saoirse Ronan), Aras (Jovan Adepo) and Kayn (Harris Dickinson) crash through a hovel on the back of a Coleo. They are racing through the over-populated, arid Agoran slums, known as The Badlands, far down the mountain from the Agoran Acropolis. They are being chased by members Luqan's royal guard. The three continue their reckless getaway through the ghetto, when they get to a dead end. With Luqan's guards not far behind, Aras readies himself to create a diversion to let Phoebe and Kayn escape, when all of a sudden the wall blocking their path is pulled away. A Badlands local, Scree (Wes Studi), has opened the door for them. He tells them they better hurry. They ride the coleo through the opening, and Scree closes the wall behind them. They thank Scree and continue riding away from The Badlands, and into the lush Agoran forests. In the forests, they reach the secret entrance of the Achilles space ship, the ship that brought Phoebe's family to Agora and has acted as a shelter for Kayn's kind for the last several years. They hop off the coleo, and Kayn double-checks their cargo - two fission fuel cores - the original power source for the Achilles. Kayn says that he will get to work on repairing the power systems so that their heist was not in vain, while Aras and Phoebe get back on the coleo to head back to the Acropolis.
In their secluded hide-out, Aras and Phoebe inform Caieta (Liv Tyler) of their successful heist of the fuel cores. If Kayn can get the Achilles working, it will be ready to engage. They talk about their current odds in their fight against the Agorans and Phoebe and Caieta agree that it is best if they use the Achilles to evacuate the hybrids from the planet. Aras is very hesitant to accept this fate as he holds belief that the Agoran people will end up siding with them and help end Luqan's rule. Phoebe, sensing his worry, tells him she wants to show him something.
She shows Aras some of her father's maps and writings that she recently discovered. She translates this for him and he is very receptive to knowledge he is obtaining. She shows him Agrippa's map of the galaxy, circling Mars in the Milky Way galaxy as her home and a potential safe haven for the Agoran-Human hybrids. Due to her father's secretive ways and her young age at the time, she is unaware of the Black Hole that consumed the Milky Way. Looking over the writings, he tells her that he feels like he could implement the systems and technologies that Agrippa has written about and make Agora a more civilized society. Yet despite his goal to improve Agora and his loyalty to its citizens, Aras is still feeling conflicted as he wants to explore space and help the hybrids as well.
Luqan (Taron Egerton), the Agoran Usurper, sits perched in the Acropolis that was formally the home to Creon’s family – giving a panoramic view of the Agoran capital and various mountain chains. He seems slightly nervous, practicing and re-wording phrases under his breath. His moment of solitude is interrupted by his wife Selene (Kelsey Asbille), who was formerly betrothed to his best friend Aras. She slides her hand from his wrist, all the way up his arm and around his neck to the other wrist, all the while telling him to stay calm. She takes a seat on his lap and begs one last time to let her into the meeting. They feel each other’s hands, where they share similar marriage markings on their palm. He is sympathetic in his eyes but is adamant that he has to stick to Agoran customs. He gives her leg a squeeze and says he will voice her ideas when the time comes.
Luqan struts into the war room where a group of advisors await. In the meeting, it is learned that the hybrid colony is on a continuous move and their location is not currently known. While some of the more aggressive advisors voice positivity in their process of militarizing the citizens, Luqan slowly shakes his head in agreement. As different strategies for assaulting the colony are tossed about, Luqan seems increasingly zoned out and stares at the palms of his hands. He finally speaks up and asks about the feasibility of peacefully subduing the colony. Some of the advisors look annoyed and confused but he says they could send them to the Badlands where they will become the “slaves of the slums” and do the grunt work of making Agora powerful.
After the meeting, Luqan is pulled aside by an advisor. He says the Acropolis has a visitor he may be interested in meeting. Scree, the mysterious figure from the Badlands, introduces himself to Luqan. The other advisor recommends Scree tell Luqan of his accomplishments in war but Scree acts humble and says the only thing that matters is how Agora prospers going forward. Luqan, himself a young historian of Agoran war stories, puts the pieces together and realizes Scree is one of the most decorated Agoran defenders ever. Scree remains stoic and tells him the big news – he recently spotted Phoebe, Aras, and a hybrid in the Badlands and he knows how the best strategy to kill them.
Phoebe visits Kayn at the Achilles and checks in on his progress. He says it almost ready to go. She tells him this is good as she and his mother have discussed potential escape routes. When Kayn asks if Aras is supportive of this idea, she remains silent and this angers Kayn. He goes on a rant about Aras's selfishness and questions how much he really cares about the hybrids. He stops himself mid-rant, knowing how much Aras means to Phoebe. He apologizes and says he is just worried about his family. Phoebe reiterates the importance of Aras's knowledge to their cause and that they would be dead without him. She tells him to keep doing the good work he is doing here and that she will find a path forward that is best for everybody.
In the morning, Luqan and Selene lie on their bed and discuss how the meeting went. He says he brought up her ideas and bends the truth by telling her that they were well received. He also says he was paid a visit by one of his war idols and he’s excited to build a relationship with him. She kisses him and jokingly tells him not to forget about her. He says he has big plans for the day and they part ways. Left alone, Selene looks troubled by Luqan’s statements.
Luqan travels along the mountain paths with a military escort in tow. He arrives at a sheltered cave that has restrictive bars placed on the entrance. Luqan approaches the bar with a cup of water and offers it to the shadows within the cave. A young Agoran starts to approach from out of the shadows but is pulled back. Finally, Jocasta (Vera Farmiga) – noticeably thinner than last time we’ve seen her - emerges to confront Luqan. He asks if she is getting used to her surroundings and she says it is more comfortable knowing her son will soon kill him. Luqan laughs this off but seems visually shaken. He pours the water onto the ground and Jocasta’s young children emerge from the shadows to start licking the wet ground. Luqan seems taken aback by seeing this in front of him but he maintains a straight face. As he and his escort leave, he tells his comrades that he hopes they are in the cave long enough that they have to turn to each other to find a meal.
As Luqan is in another advisory meeting, Selene sits alone with a determined look on her face. As soon as the meeting lets out, she storms towards the stream of advisors and quickly pulls Scree into another room. She scolds him for appearing here and posing a threat to the hard-earned groundwork she has accumulated over time. He denies any bad intentions and says he simply wanted to see if it was true how high his daughter had made it in Agoran society. Even as a war hero, he was never able to make his way out of the Badlands and now here she is. She runs through her list of accomplishments (including her dirty dealings with the shaman to become betrothed to Aras) in her goal of improving the lives within the Badlands, all of which she achieved without him present. And so she does not need him now. Acting hurt, he pledges that he will leave and reiterates that he is proud of what she has become.
Within the Acropolis, Luqan tours through Aras’s room alone. Jocasta’s statement and the images of Aras’s siblings in poor condition are racing through Luqan’s mind. Irritated by his dissonance and battling voices of strategy in his ear, he uses the enclosed space to scream as loud as he can – echoing throughout the halls of the Acropolis and the villages along the mountain links. This then cuts straight to later on as Luqan makes a walk towards the same spot where he killed Creon, with thousands of Agorans eagerly awaiting to hear him speak. His advisors remind him that he does not have to do this but he says he is ready to make his own decision. Luqan stands tall and uses his platform to make a plea to his former best friend. If Aras comes to the Acropolis and agrees to the enslavement of the hybrids, Luqan will release Aras’s family from imprisonment and Aras will be granted a spot on his advisory council.
Aras thinks over Luqan's plea and his different options. Phoebe tells him he doesn't have to give in to Luqan's tricks but Aras says he is leaning towards accepting the task. Phoebe suddenly grows worried that he is going to try to kill Luqan then and there. He laughs off her concerns, asking if she really thinks he could kill someone. No, instead he thinks this is a good opportunity to start his path to redemption. If they are leaving Agora, this will give him a last chance to gain closure from his father's murder. Thinking back on her conversation with Kayn, she tells him that she worries this will put doubt into the mind of the hybrids about his commitment to them. Aras kisses her and tells her she doesn't have to worry about that. However, when he leaves, she starts to feel a sense of doubt herself and grows worried for all parties involved.
At Luqan’s request, there is a grand ceremony welcoming Aras back to the Acropolis. But Aras doesn’t soak it in as he is skeptical of both the sincerity of his hosts and the Agorans’ willingness accept him back with open arms. Aras gets a chance to tour his old home. When he reaches his former room, he finds Luqan there waiting for him - a private conversation before their public summit.
Luqan immediately tries to clear the air about killing Creon. He reasons that it was his only option given his father’s public lies. Aras remains silent. Luqan goes on to say that he does not have to be his father. Luqan recalls their younger days, when they would sit under the stars and Aras would talk about the ways he would care for the Agoran race once he was in control. And Luqan knows that Aras still has that care in his heart. Aras shakes his head in agreement. Luqan rationalizes his worries, voicing his fears that the hybrids will bring with them new diseases and leave potential for further genetic mutation going forward. If they continue to breed and mix with the general population, what would it even mean to be Agoran anymore?
He asks if Aras understands what is best for Agora and Luqan shakes his head and agrees. Luqan leads him out to the public concourse with thousands watching down below - the same spot Creon was murdered. Luqan goes on a monologue similar to the one he told Aras. He says that Aras has come to his senses and is willing to cooperate with the extermination efforts of the Agoran army. As such, Aras’s family will be released from their imprisonment.
Aras’s eyes widen - having not realized that his family was captured or even at risk. He is now second guessing what he came there to do. However, he sticks with his guns and is willing to call Luqan’s bluff as he knows that Luqan wants to believe him. Aras uses the public platform to denounce Luqan’s military state and highlights the dangers of trusting a ruler that is willing to turn towards violence whenever he feels opposed. While you’re on his side now, what happens if you disagree with him down the line? Luqan is looking on with a blank stare - in disbelief of what he is hearing.
He reminds them of the progress under Creon’s rule and promises that the humans pose no threat to that. There is human technology that can propel Agora into more than just a defensive planet and into a prosperous era. Luqan finally decides to shut him down, sicking his guards on Aras. Having expert knowledge of the layout of the Acropolis, he enters a secret passage way and makes his escape to the bottom. However, more guards are waiting for him down there. Just in time, a motorbike comes speeding in and Kayn tells Luqan to hop on board.
As they try to outrace the military vehicles, Kayn says that he may not agree with Aras’s ideas but at least he knows that he truly cares about the hybrids. Aras thanks him for showing up. Kayn asks how Aras thought he was going to get away from those guards. Aras says for the first time in his life he didn’t try to think through a problem - he was just winging it.
Luqan returns to his barracks irate and tears up the place. His advisors try to calm him down but he threatens to kill them for not stepping in on the Aras situation sooner. Selene tells the advisors to leave. In private, he tells her that he did not want it to come to this and this is the first time he has truly felt lost. Selene tries to convince him that Aras has finally turned for good and their friendship will never recover. After a momentary silence, Scree enters from the shadows and says that if Luqan is ready to exterminate the hybrid colony, just say the word. Luqan, all of a sudden seething instead of the sorrow he just showed, nods his head yes and leaves the room. Selene is now fuming and tells her father she warned him about overstepping his bounds. She will not forget this.
Aras and Kayn speed through the Agoran jungles away from the royal guards chasing after them. Kayn, having grown up in the wilderness, knows the jungles like the back of his hand and manages to lose the guards by speeding through a series of caverns and ravines, the type of obstacles most would not attempt to drive through at all, let alone at the high velocity Kayn was hitting. They stop next to a stream, and satisfied that nobody is following them anymore, head to the Achilles.
Phoebe and Caieta are overseeing final preparations on the Achilles when Aras and Kayn return. Aras heads inside the ship to speak to Phoebe. He finds her speaking with Caieta and asks if he can interrupt for a minute. Aras tells Phoebe, that despite his love for her, he believes that his destiny is to stay on Agora and defeat Luqan. Phoebe asks if it is really about getting revenge. Aras admits that getting revenge would be appealing, but that it ultimately comes down to asking himself what his father would do. He does not believe Creon would run away and leave the Agoran people to live under the harsh rule of a despot, but that he would stay to fight no matter what. He asks her to say goodbye before she leaves and walks away.
Suddenly a bright light fills the night sky, Kayn recognizes the lights as a signal and spots Scree moving away from the ship. Kayn chases after Scree, tackling him to the ground. Scree pulls out a knife and slashes Kayn across the face with it. Scree comments that Kayn might as well look more like the monstrous abomination he really is. Kayn, unarmed, quickly grabs a rock off the ground and throws it at Scree, hitting him square in the face. Scree and Kayn continue to fight under the bright neon green light of the signal flare. Kayn runs toward the ship, to search for a weapon, finding a metal pole. Kayn grabs it and turns around but Scree is gone. Scree suddenly jumps down from a tree, knocking Kayn down. Scree stands over Kayn with his knife, preparing to execute him, when suddenly a signal flare is fired, hitting Scree, taking off half of his face in the process. Scree's dead body collapses on top of the resigned and battered Kayn. He looks up and sees Phoebe with a flare gun. He thanks her.
Aras tells them they have to leave immediately as Scree's signal was surely to notify Luqan's soldiers of their location. The three of them hustle to load up the ship with the rest of the supplies. The ship begins being pummeled by the fire of Luqan's guards rifles being fired from the darkness of the trees. Kayn finds that his mother Caieta has been hit and goes to her side. Kayn, in a rage, grabs a gun and stands out in the open, firing on Luqan's guards. Phoebe quickly tackles Kayn to the ground. She asks him if he wants to die. He tells her that he is unsure. Phoebe replies that if he does want to die, it can wait until later. They head back into the ship. When Kayn announces that Caieta has died, some of the other hybrids want to leave the ship to fight, but he tells them not to, that they must leave now. Aras shakes Kayn's hand and tells him that he wishes Kayn and his hybrid kind good luck. Aras then kisses Phoebe and tells her to take care of everyone. Phoebe isn't sure what to say. She simply nods, while trying to hold back her tears. Aras exits the ship.
Phoebe powers up the Achilles and prepares to take off. The years have not been kind to the thrusters of the ship as it practically creaks as it slowly rises from the ground of Agora. It takes the bulk of the power the ship has just to get off 50 feet off the ground. Kayn tells Phoebe that it's too late to change their mind now since they would never have enough power to take off again.
Aras arrives back in the Acropolis and challenges Luqan to settle this the true Agoran way: one-on-one combat. While Luqan could easily have his guards kill Aras immediately, he can’t pass up a chance to show off his worthiness as a fighter and as a leader. He accepts. Meanwhile, Selene arrives at the previous site of the Achilles to find that her father has been killed. The guards there tell her that the human killed him and her ship has escaped. All of Selene's hopes and ambitions drain from her eyes in that very moment.
Thousands upon thousands of Agorans gather in the foothills below the Acropolis to observe this showdown. Luqan’s guards have brought Jocasta and her children to see their brother fight - and, in all likelihood, die. As they circle each other, they reflect on their lives together to this point. It wasn’t too long ago that they were kids in similar gear “playing war”, perfecting their fighting skill at this very spot. Once they spar, it becomes immediately clear that Luqan has become the superior warrior and Aras is no match for him. As he starts to land strikes, the onlookers cheer on. Under his breath, Luqan tells Aras that he still has a chance to side with Agora. A bloodied Aras retorts that there is still a way for Luqan to make it out of his alive. All Luqan can do is laugh at the absurdity of this statement.
The Achilles is making its way into the stratosphere but is still taking its time. Phoebe sees the commotion below and realizes what Aras has done. The crowds below split their attention between the battle and the Achilles in the sky. Luqan's army attempt to shoot the Achilles down while Phoebe stares at a photo of her and her parents. They have the chance to escape but Phoebe tells Kayn that they have to turn around and save Aras. Kayn strongly advises against this as there it is practically a death wish. She tells him she trusts his skills as a pilot and that this feels like the right thing to do. Aras is the right thing for Agora. Mars may be home to her but for everyone else - even Kayn - would be just as much outsiders there amongst the humans. She will not repeat the sins of her father. Despite his reluctance, Kayn smiles and says he knew there was a reason they worshipped her.
The Achilles flies towards the Acropolis, avoiding projectiles along the way. Phoebe asks if Kayn can use the ship's cannon to take out Luqan. He says that she given their proximity to each other, she can't differentiate between him and Luqan. Luqan's repeated pummeling of Aras finds his friend gravely injured, causing Luqan to pull up and hesitate to deliver a final blow. He can't bring himself to do it. When Kayn gets the Achilles closer, Aras sees the ship in the corner of his eye and yells "PHOEBE!" at the top of his lungs - echoing through the hills and mountains and bringing the spectators to complete silence. As Luqan is confused, Aras looks to the ship and shakes his head yes - as if to say "do it". Kayn sits still and doesn't know what to do as the ship starts to take small hits. Phoebe looks at him and says "I've got this". She takes over the controls and tries to hold back the tears from her eyes. When she gains the courage, she shoots the cannon at the Acropolis - totaling destroying the monumental structure and killing Luqan and Aras.
The emergency lights come on as the ship takes more hits. Kayn resumes controls and makes a crash landing, afterwards checking to see if Phoebe and his siblings are okay. The hybrids are scared to leave the ship but Phoebe says that she will lead the way. She exits the ship with her hands in the air, expecting to be killed or taken into custody. However, she is shocked to find that the Agoran citizens are elated at Luqan's death and feel liberating from his iron-fisted rule. They are actively rebelling against the army, who find themselves helpless against the sheer numbers. This prompts Phoebe to signal to Kayn and the hybrids that it is safe to come out of the ship.
Without even mourning her dead husband, Selene consults with Luqan's advisors to ensure that she is now the de facto ruler of Agora since Luqan had no children. They confirm her beliefs and she smiles. But before she can even get out another word, a group of Agoran citizens enter the room and take the advisors into custody. Following them is Jocasta, who has been officially released from her imprisonment. She informs Selene that the family of Creon has regained the seat that was rightfully his. As punishment, Selene will be forced to face her worst nightmare - being exiled back to her home in the Badlands.
Phoebe walks through the Agoran streets, with people still staring but not in disgust anymore. She meets up with Kayn, who tells her that he's heard that she is just as revered to the full-blooded Agorans now as she was to the hybrids when her existence was merely a rumor. She dismisses this and says that it is the bravery of Aras that should be commended. Kayn half-jokingly drops his head in disappointment, to which she quips back that his work was also vital. Kayn talks about how elated he is that his brothers and sisters will be accepted in society and be able to live out in the open and how diversity is good for Agora so they should keep the human bloodline alive. After saying this, he realizes what he is implying and quickly backtracks, causing Phoebe to laugh. She tells him she'd be open to exploring those options - leaving Kayn in a bit of bewilderment, unsure if she is joking.
At a ceremony at the new temporary home base of the ruling family, Jocasta formally announces Phoebe as the adopted daughter of Creon, in hopes that the Agorans will treat Phoebe and the hybrids with respect going forward. In private afterwards, Phoebe returns some of Aras’s belongings to Jocasta, including Agrippa’s blueprints that Aras had studied for when he became leader. Jocasta promises to implement these plans to help build a better technological infrastructure for Agora so that they are not just a defense nation. They will study the Achilles and hope to build more flying aircrafts so that they can become an exploratory people and seek allies in the universe.
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