Atlantis: Bloodline
Genre: Action/Superhero/Fantasy
Director: David Michod
Writer: Jimmy Ellis
Based on DC Comics characters
Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Harris Dickinson, Saoirse Ronan, Natalia Dyer, Gillian Anderson, Charlotte Rampling, Will Patton, Timothy Hutton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Cameo), Mark Rendall (Cameo), Rebecca Breeds (Cameo)
Plot:
Following the success of the revolution, Arthur (Harris Dickinson) begins to adjust to his new position as King of Atlantis, determined to correct the wrongs of Orvax’s reign.
Meanwhile, as Mera’s brother Myrus (Mark Rendall) is crowned the new king of Xebel, Mera opts to stay in Atlantis as Xebel’s representative after growing close to Arthur, much to the disdain of her sister Hila (Rebecca Breeds). During the first meeting of the Atlantean royal council following Orvax’s mysterious death, the tensions between Arthur and many of the council members are devastatingly apparent, and only worsen as Arthur announces his plans to redistribute land, food and wealth to Atlantis’ peasantry. Within the council, the land-owning nobleman Pomoxis (Timothy Hutton) becomes the leading face of opposition, provoking Arthur to concern for his safety among the nobles.
Meanwhile, still withholding the secret that it was he who killed Orvax, Orm (Timothee Chalamet) is approached by Vulko (Will Patton), who offers his condolences for his father’s passing. Orm dismisses the revolutionary’s transparent comments, telling him that his words mean nothing.
As Cetea (Charlotte Rampling) educates Arthur on Atlantean history and his lineage, a lonesome Tula (Natalia Dyer) ponders on her own origins; the life as a ward of the Widowhood the only life she’s ever known.
Elsewhere, in dark depths outside the borders of Atlantis, a newly-formed nationalist Atlantean terrorist group listens to a speech from their monstrously-masked leader, Corum Rath, their voice is muffled and distorted, Rath swears to overthrow Arthur’s rule and avenge the great name of Orvax Marius.
Mera meets with Arthur, as he expresses his concerns. Looking out at the great kingdom, Mera tells Arthur she fears the worst may have yet to come…
In a flashback, we see a younger Orvax fighting on a battlefield against the crustacean-like Brine armies. Gunning them down, he spots a comrade ahead – Nula (Gillian Anderson). As Nula is shot from behind, Orvax steps in and obliterates her attacker. The two share a flirtatious smile before returning to combat.
Present Day, Pomoxis causes a scene inside the royal council, protesting Arthur’s policies and calling him a disgrace to Atlantis. In a moment of unexpected and abrupt fury, Arthur aggressively orders Pomoxis to leave the council.
Later on, Arthur consults with Vulko about his concerns. Vulko finds Arthur’s worry justified, and suggests dissolving the council and opting for a closer, carefully selected inner circle, suggesting Mera, Cetea, himself and Orm to be members. Arthur questions if Orm can be trusted, but Vulko assures he can see in the boy’s eyes that his loyalty is no longer with his father.
Meanwhile, Tula and Orm have a friendly chat, until being interrupted by Cetea, who angrily orders Tula to leave. Orm protests, saying that they were merely having a conversation, why must Tula be a member of this wicked sisterhood, when she herself is no widow. Cetea shrugs it off and walks Tula away.
Elsewhere, Mera feels intimidated by the scornful glares of some citizens, before she is saved by Arthur. The two, harbouring feelings for each other, have a pleasant swim around the capital. On their swim, Arthur sees a large monument in tribute to Orvax, and decides that it’s time he makes a greater demonstration of his commitment to rectifying the previous leader’s wrongs. Later, he approaches his half-brother Orm, tension still existing between the two. Arthur offers Orm to be in his inner circle, and feigning consideration, Orm accepts…
Arthur declares the dissolution of the royal council, holding the first meeting between him and his inner circle and proposing his desire to remove the monument tributing Orvax. While Cetea argues that the action may cause controversy, both Vulko and Mera believe it will be a beneficial decision for the new reign. They all look to Orm, who expresses impartialness. It is decided that the statue be removed, lifting the spirits of the peasants and worsening the tension with pro-Orvax nobles.
When word spreads to the Deluge in the murky outskirts of the kingdom, a furious Corum Rath decides the time is ripe to make their presence known. Several Deluge agents advance on the capital, detonating explosives. Amidst the rubble and chaos, Arthur rushes to the scene alongside Mera and a reformed Kingsguard, where they manage to capture one of the Deluge terrorists before they can flee. Arthur interrogates the terrorist, but to no avail. Orm offers his assistance, stepping in and motioning to a guard, who brings over a mysterious jar. Orm reaches inside the jar, lifting out a fluorescent fish with razor-sharp teeth and holding it against the terrorist’s arm, demanding answers. Writhing in pain, the terrorist reveals that they are the soldiers of Corum Rath, who plans to overthrow Arthur and avenge Orvax’s death. Removing the fish from the terrorist, Orm and Arthur call an emergency meeting with the inner circle.
Upon the mention of Corum Rath’s name, Cetea grows pale, catching Orm’s eye. Later, Orm visits the terrorist again, demanding more information. The terrorist reveals to Orm that Corum Rath wishes to see the child of Orvax sit upon the throne. Orm perks up, asking where Corum Rath is.
In secret, Orm follows the terrorist’s directions and finds the Deluge. He asks to speak with Corum Rath, who approaches him and happily welcomes the prince. The two have a conversation, where Rath reveals that they were once a close friend of Orvax, they were forced into hiding after Orvax wed Atlanna. Rath tells Orm that they and the Deluge will stop at nothing until Arthur is removed from the throne and Orm takes his place.
Meanwhile, Arthur announces to the Atlantean people of the terrorist threat that attacked the capital, promising to crush them. Pomoxis and the nobles publicly declare their support of the Deluge, hoping that such an uprising will finally restore Atlantis to its former glory.
Returning from his meeting with Corum Rath, Orm meets privately with Tula, vaguely confiding in her about an inner conflict. Before Tula can offer consolation or advice, a guard relays to Orm that Arthur demands to see him immediately. Orm meets with Arthur, who has grown even more paranoid following the growth in support for the Deluge. Arthur fears that agents of the Deluge may have already infiltrated the castle, or worse yet, may even be in the form of those closest to him. Arthur demands Orm’s word that he will honour the blood relation they have, no matter how thin it may be.
Elsewhere, Mera expresses her concern over Arthur to Vulko, as Vulko concurs with the sentiment that more bloodshed is upon them. Vulko later meets with Cetea, terrified of the return of Corum Rath, and certain revelations that may arise as a result.
In secret, Pomoxis and a group of fellow nobles sneak out of the city and meet with Corum Rath and the Deluge. Pomoxis declares that if the Deluge make a greater attempt to overthrow Arthur, they will have the full support of Atlantean high society. Rath requests resources: weaponry, soldiers loyal to the cause, and begins preparing for a major attack on the capital. After the nobles leave, Orm arrives, informing Rath that Arthur is incredibly paranoid. Rath sees this as ideal: the so-called “powerful” leader is vulnerable. Rath reveals to Orm that the Deluge will launch a massive assault on Atlantis within 24 hours, calling upon Orm’s confirmation of loyalty.
Meanwhile, Vulko meets once more with Cetea, who feels she must prepare to reveal “the truth” to Tula. Eavesdropping, Tula deduces that Corum Rath killed her mother, and rushes to Orm. A heartbroken Tula sobs as she hugs Orm tightly, as his conflict of loyalty becomes more difficult.
Elsewhere, Arthur and Mera address the kingsguard and Atlantean military forces, asking of them their loyalty in the event of a war with the Deluge. To Arthur’s disturbance, a significant number of his soldiers leave, their loyalties clearly lying elsewhere. Arthur assembles a meeting with the inner circle, claiming the situation they face is dire. To reassure Arthur, Mera swears her loyalty, followed by Vulko and Cetea. They turn to Orm, who ponders.
Pomoxis and the nobles return to Corum Rath, loyal soldiers and weaponry in tow. Rath thanks the nobles, declaring the reign of Arthur falls at dawn.
As the sun rises above the ocean, the Deluge enter Atlantis, stronger in numbers, occupying areas and causing violence. As word of their arrival travels to Arthur, he, Mera and Vulko head out with their forces to face off with the Deluge.
Hysteria grows in the castle, while Orm catches Tula running out, armoured and armed, revealing she intends to avenge her mother. Orm once again stands before a painting of his mother, conflicted.
As Arthur and his forces are pushed backward to the castle grounds, Orm joins the fight and turns on the Deluge. Orm attacks Corum Rath, who expresses they wished he saw differently, blaming his decision on the “Atlanna” in him. Rath savagely injures Orm, filling Tula with an unbridled rage. Tula unleashes a violent fury on Rath, slicing off a part of their monstrous mask, revealing the eyes of a woman beneath - Nula’s.
Finally, Tula drives a sword through Rath’s throat, claiming this is for her mother. Rath’s eyes widen, and her hand reaches out to Tula’s face, before her corpse is swallowed in the swell of the battle. Orm discovers Rath’s body, lifting her mask off of her mutilated face. He stands up alongside Arthur, raising Rath’s mask in the air. The Deluge realise their leader has been killed, and surrender, kneeling before the brothers. Arthur believes he has won their loyalty, yet Orm feels otherwise. The Deluge forces are arrested and imprisoned for treason and terrorism alongside Pomoxis and the nobles, with Orm realising he still has their support from their reluctance to expose his ties to Rath.
Weeks later, Arthur proposes to Mera, and a celebration is subsequently held. At the celebration, Orm speaks with Cetea, revealing that it was Tula who killed Corum Rath, advising she be less harsh on her. After the celebration concludes, Vulko meets with Cetea, asking her if Tula will ever know the truth. Cetea declines, saying she’s better off not knowing.
In a flashback, Orvax hugs Nula tightly, looking at their child. Orvax asks Nula what she wants to name her, and Nula replies: “Tula”.
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