Genre: Action/Superhero/Fantasy
Director: David Michod
Writer: Jimmy Ellis
Based on DC Comics characters
Cast: Harris Dickinson, Timothee Chalamet, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Saoirse Ronan, Natalia Dyer, Charlotte Rampling, Clive Standen, Will Patton, Richard Dormer
Plot: King Orvax Marius (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) of Atlantis leads his Atlantean army into battle with the leader of the Kingsguard, Siron (Clive Standen). Their army is large compared to that of the opposing, Xebelian army, however the army of Xebel contain more weapons such as sharks at their disposal. King Ryus (Richard Dormer) of Xebel is leading his men in the great battle. The battle begins through the charge of a great monstrous shark toward the Atlantean army. The shark manages to take out a few Atlantean soldiers. Orvax declares that the war has begun, he commands his men to begin the attack. Some men swim like a torpedo and others ride aquatic creatures. The battle continues for a little while longer. However, seeing the deaths of many men, Orvax and Ryus come to the realisation that this war is meaningless and wrong. The two meet in the middle of battle and declare that from this day forth the kingdoms of Atlantis and Xebel will be allies once more. The reunification of Xebel and Atlantis will breed success for both kingdoms.
10 Years Later
In the majestic underwater kingdom of Atlantis, King Orvax Marius waits for the arrival of his right-hand man, Siron. When Siron arrives, the two discuss a plot to wage war against the surface world. As Orvax speaks the camera goes across the great ocean showing many different species of animals dying from the pollution and the toxicity of the water. As the camera finally returns to Orvax it shows the outskirts of Atlantis surrounded by wrecked ships and submarines. Siron fears Atlantis’ impressive military may not meet the demands of a war with the surface world, and so Orvax suggests that a union with the neighbouring kingdom of Xebel may assemble the power they need to launch their assault. Siron praises Orvax’s idea, and Orvax decides he will offer his son, Prince Orm, to marry Xebel’s princess Mera as a means of bonding the kingdoms even more. Unbeknownst to the two, Atlantis’ chief scientific advisor, Nuidis Vulko (Will Patton), eavesdrops anxiously.
On the top floor of the ancient tower of the Widowhood, a sacred organisation serving Atlantis for centuries, Reverend Mother Cetea (Charlotte Rampling) attempts to educate Prince Orm (Timothee Chalamet) on Atlantean tradition and culture. Their lesson is interrupted by Orvax, who has a private word with Cetea before inviting Orm for a talk.
Walking through the Widowhood’s gardens, Orvax informs Orm that he plans to betroth him to Princess Mera of Xebel, a major step in Orm’s journey in becoming King of Atlantis. When Orvax leaves, a ponderous Orm spots a young member of the Widowhood tending to flowers. Orm greets the girl, who reveals her name to be Tula (Natalia Dyer). Before Orm can ask how a girl so young could already be a member of the Widowhood, Cetea arrives and scolds Tula, ordering her away, before inviting Orm to continue his lesson.
In a low-lit tavern sitting along the cragged rock of Amnesty Bay, Vulko approaches a figure sitting in the corner, with soaking-wet hair and a sparkling silver quindent at his side - Arthur Curry (Harris Dickinson), the half-breed son of Thomas Curry and Queen Atlanna, the true heir to the Atlantean throne.
As waves thrash upon jagged, jet-black rock, Vulko persistently follows Arthur up to his father’s lighthouse, attempting to convince him to come to Atlantis. Arthur insists he wants nothing to do with meaningless Atlantean politics, until Vulko reveals Orvax’s secret plot. Arthur asks how an outcast like himself could attempt to stop Atlantis’ ruler, but Vulko insists his presence and wisdom may sway Orvax.
Arriving by sea-horse-drawn carriage, Xebelian royalty King Ryus and his daughter, Princess Mera (Saoirse Ronan) are welcomed by Orvax and Cetea. Orvax and Ryus reminisce about their youth in the Brine Wars, while Cetea, assisted by Tula, invites Mera on a tour of the Atlantean royal grounds.
From afar, Orm watches his future wife, Mera, wondering if he is truly ready for this yet. Suddenly, Arthur arrives to the astonished gasps and whispers of everyone, recognising him as the son of Atlanna by his quindent. Orvax looks upon the half-breed bastard, sardonically welcoming him. Orm’s eyes widen at the sight of his half-brother, the first time he has ever seen his sibling.
A meeting of the Atlantean Royal Council is held, as Arthur’s arrival has caused much controversy. Many members see him as an embarrassment to the kingdom’s history, while others are more open to accepting him as a member of their community. After much internal deliberation, Orvax decides to allow Arthur to stay, and even offers him a seat upon the council. After the meeting is dismissed, Siron catches up with Orvax, scared Arthur’s presence may disturb their plans. Orvax calms Siron’s fears by revealing he means to use Arthur as a source of information of the surface world, and also plans on converting him to anti-surface ideologies. Siron praises Orvax’s genius, and Orvax watches with a smile as preparation for the royal wedding commences.
In an attempt to better know his half-brother Orm, Arthur joins him on a hunting trip to Calculha’s Forest. On their way, Arthur sees the immense poverty that the Atlantean peasants are living in, as well as the strictness and brutality of the Kingsguard’s enforcement. While on their hunt, Orm asks Arthur what their mother was like. Arthur reveals he can’t remember much, but he recalls her being incredibly beautiful, kind and caring. Orm divulges that she died in childbirth, and he wishes he’d met her, regardless of her “betrayal”.
As their children prepare to be wed, Orvax and Ryus watch a good-old-fashioned gladiator match from the royal booth. Ryus is nostalgic for his glory days of combat, however Orvax argues that those days aren’t over just yet. Ryus is confused, there has been peace among the oceanic kingdoms for over a decade, however Orvax reveals there is an enemy that threatens not just Atlantis and Xebel, but the ocean itself - the surface.
Meanwhile, Mera endures a gruelling session of costume-fitting. Finding the perfect choice, Cetea leaves to inform the Widowhood’s dressmakers. Left alone with Tula, Mera notices the girl’s silent envy, wishing she could escape her life as a princess.
After returning from he and Orm’s hunting trip, Orvax invites Arthur for a talk. Strolling the castle grounds, an inquisitive Orvax questions Arthur for details of the surface, and Arthur suggests Orvax’s interest may transcend mere curiosity. Orvax attempts to convince Arthur that the surface is the enemy - the way they mistreat their own people, the way they pollute the ocean, the way they are pushing the planet closer to the brink of extinction. Orvax mentions how unfortunate it was that Atlanna mistakenly ignored the surface’s evil, and wishes for Arthur to correct her mistake. Amongst a crowd in front of Orvax’s castle, a furious Arthur exposes Orvax’s plans to wage war on the surface, and condemns his harsh, totalitarian reign. A displeased Orvax orders for Arthur’s immediate arrest and imprisonment, as a shocked Mera looks to her father.
A vexed Mera argues with her father Ryus, demanding to know whether she was merely a pawn in Orvax’s military plan. Ryus reveals that he has already agreed to unite he and Orvax’s forces, realising he has been manipulated. Mera runs away, leaving Ryus speechless and broken.
An emergency meeting of the council is called, as Orvax throws a furious tantrum. One of the members blames Orvax for allowing Arthur to stay, and Orvax sends him to the dungeons.
Orm, dressed up in traditional Atlantean groom-wear, sits on a staircase forlornly. He is met by Tula, who sits next to him. Orm tells her that he feels so alone, as if he doesn’t belong as a royal. Tula comforts him, saying he does belong and he is not alone, promising him that the name of Orm Marius will soon be legendary. Smiling, Orm thanks Tula, then comments on how similar they look. Orm places his crown on Tula’s head, jokingly suggesting she could take his place.
Meanwhile, now in an orange-and-green prison uniform, Arthur sulks in his prison cell. He is visited by Vulko, who apologises for how things went, but thanks Arthur for setting things in motion. Confused, Arthur then deduces that this was Vulko’s plan all along, just like Orm, Mera and Ryus, he was but a pawn in a grander scheme. Vulko admits the truth, and Arthur asks what happens next. Vulko says the only thing to do now is to have faith that Arthur is naturally inspirational.
Outside of Orvax’s castle, a large crowd of peasant protesters have formed. Inside, an infuriated Orvax clenches his fist. With Siron and Cetea standing before him, Orvax orders Siron to unleash the Kingsguard upon the protestors. Shocked, Siron hesitates, until Orvax orders he follow his command immediately. Cetea pays Siron a solemn nod, and Siron reluctantly orders his forces to abide Orvax’s demand. A bloodbath ensues as the Kingsguard mercilessly slaughter the peasants. Orm and Tula watch in horror, and Orm begins to doubt whether his father truly is the noble leader he once thought he was.
Orm visits Arthur in prison, informing him of the atrocity that occurred the night before. Arthur tells Orm that if he means to blame him for what his father did he better leave, and so a conflicted Orm leaves Arthur to himself.
Elsewhere, Mera, disguised under a cloak, walks through the small town of Dagon just outside of Atlantis. Vulko spots her, and tells her this is no place for a Xebelian princess. Mera threatens to kill Vulko if he tries to return her to her father, but Vulko reveals he has something else to show her.
In the castle, Orm sits alone, thinking. His father approaches him, and speaks to him of the troubles of being a king, troubles Orm will learn to deal with. Orm bluntly retorts that murdering protestors is no business of a true king, leading Orvax to slap him across the face, cursing the “rotten whore” that bore him. Orvax leaves, muttering how Orm is no son of his. Orm starts to sob, wishing he was a better son.
In his prison cell, drifting away in thought, Arthur is then brought back to reality by the sounds of combat echoing through the prison corridors, with Mera, Vulko, and a host of revolutionaries soon appearing before his cell. Breaking him out, Vulko informs Arthur that the time is ripe for revolution, but they need to inspire the peasants to join them.
Siron privately meets with Orvax, admitting that he wishes to resign from his duties as captain of the Kingsguard. Orvax feigns understanding, before shoving a dagger deep into Siron’s side. As blood rises from Siron’s body, Orvax taunts him by telling him his ancestors would’ve never grown weak over a pile of dead peasants. Orvax calls for Ryus, where he interrogates him on whether he is still loyal to their arrangement. Sensing doubt, Orvax threatens that if Ryus breaks their deal, he will have every Xebelian man, woman and child butchered, with their heads topping spears decorating the Atlantean castle grounds. A sickened Ryus grows pale, and Orvax also promises to do “unspeakable things” to Mera in addition. Falling to his knees, Ryus pledges allegiance.
Joined by Mera, Vulko and the revolutionaries, Arthur appeals to the peasants of Atlantis to join them in an armed uprising against Orvax.
Meanwhile, Orm looks at a painting of his mother, wishing she was there to comfort him. Cetea tells Orm that it is time for another lesson, but soon the chants of “DOWN WITH ORVAX!” fill the air. Looking out of the window, Orm sees huge crowds of peasants, armed with weapons, approaching the castle. Worry spreads over Cetea’s face, who orders Orm to go to his father immediately. Orm runs to Orvax, telling him about the uprising. Orvax orders the Kingsguard to go and suppress the uprising, while Orm decides to join the fight to win back his father’s acceptance.
Outside, an intense battle ensues, but the Kingsguard are greatly outnumbered. Orvax orders Ryus to send his guard out into battle, and Ryus reluctantly gives the command, as Orvax leaves for his safe room. Chasing after Vulko, Orm threatens to execute him for treason. Vulko tells him that he must join the uprising against his father. Vulko reveals that after Atlanna was taken back to Atlantis, she was arranged to marry Orvax, who forced himself upon her and impregnated her, then he had her assassinated after she gave birth. Fighting back anger and tears, Orm leaves Vulko.
Meanwhile, Ryus watches as his men brutalise the innocent peasants, then orders them to turn on Orvax’s Kingsguard. Ryus is then gunned down, and Mera runs to his dying body. Ryus tells Mera he is so deeply sorry, before passing away. Mera is overcome with an incredible rage, and unleashes her hydrokinetic powers, as Arthur watches in amazement.
Orm enters his father’s safe room, lying that the Kingsguard are winning, and that he has killed Arthur. Orvax, joyous, hugs his son close, telling him he was wrong to doubt him. As Orvax leads his son to a room Orm stabs his father in the back. As Orvax bleeds slowly, Orm catches his father while repeatedly apologising, but saying that Atlantis has suffered under his rule long enough. As Orvax’s body is found, the revolution ends, and Vulko declares Arthur as the new king of Atlantis, to the cheers of the peasants and the groans of the nobles.
Soon, the news of Orvax’s death spreads across the ocean, and a figure wearing a monstrous mask swears revenge...
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